Move over Martha…there's a new kid on the block, and he's ready to eat your petit fours. Featured in various magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens and Real Living, as well as regular TV appearances on KTHV's Dig That Garden as “The Garden Guru,” Chris Olsen is the amiable host of this nicely organized party guide that aims to get you out of Hell's Kitchen and mingling with your guests. Olsen tackles three very different party themes: “The Casual Potluck” (in which a garage is transformed into a tropical paradise to welcome food-bringing friends—and, yes, there is a recipe for potato salad here), “The Formal Dinner Party” (mixing elegance and simplicity, with a bonus section on table manners with Olsen and etiquette specialist Bess Sanders), and “The Informal Garden Party” (where family, neighbors, and a fiddle player all lounge in pillowed picnic areas under colorful lawn umbrellas and nibble on scrumptious-looking finger foods). For each section, Olsen offers an overview of the party and preparations, followed by detailed guidance for the steps leading up to one of the most important phrases in the party-giver's lexicon: “the final presentation.” In addition, text-and-graphics instructions for invitations, centerpieces, menus, party favors, and recipes for dozens of dishes are featured at the end of each segment, along with a list of needed materials. Olsen reminds viewers that merrymaking is all about preparation, and while he may occasionally go a bit overboard (the use of PVC pipe and concrete for any social gathering is definitely overboard in my party book), this “how-to” smorgasbord will inspire potential hosts to pick and choose ideas suitable for their tastes and budgets. Recommended. [Note: also newly available at the same price is Refresh Remix Restyle with Chris Olsen.] Aud: P. (N. Plympton)
The Creative Party Guide
(2008) 91 min. DVD: $19.95. Leisure Arts (dist. by Instructional Video). Volume 23, Issue 4
The Creative Party Guide
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