Rating: 
Summary: This is THE book for party planning!
Review: I am planning on catering my own wedding with the help of a acquintance who does catering on the side. I have been looking for books that could help me plan a meal for 200 people, but without cheesy boring recipes. The reason I'm doing the cooking is we wanted some original and tasty menu items without breaking the bank. I also needed some practical information on how to pull off cooking for a large crowd without going crazy. This book is it, and it's the only catering book I found that fit the bill. Every other book I found had recipes like chicken kiev and casseroles. Snore! Even if you're having 10 people to your home, you can't go wrong with the tips and techniques mentioned in this book. It gives ingredient quantities as well as fabulous recipes and tips. There are even decorating and presentation techniques as well along with ratios for stocking the bar. The writing is crisp and intelligent without being stuffy and dull. All in all, a great book. A must buy for anyone planning a dinner party to hosting a large reception.
Rating:
Summary: This is THE book for party planning!
Review: I am planning on catering my own wedding with the help of a acquintance who does catering on the side. I have been looking for books that could help me plan a meal for 200 people, but without cheesy boring recipes. The reason I'm doing the cooking is we wanted some original and tasty menu items without breaking the bank. I also needed some practical information on how to pull off cooking for a large crowd without going crazy. This book is it, and it's the only catering book I found that fit the bill. Every other book I found had recipes like chicken kiev and casseroles. Snore! Even if you're having 10 people to your home, you can't go wrong with the tips and techniques mentioned in this book. It gives ingredient quantities as well as fabulous recipes and tips. There are even decorating and presentation techniques as well along with ratios for stocking the bar. The writing is crisp and intelligent without being stuffy and dull. All in all, a great book. A must buy for anyone planning a dinner party to hosting a large reception.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for a beginner in the catering field
Review: I have looked high and low for books to help me get started in the catering field, some would offer recipes, some would offer legal stuff, none really gave me any ideals on how to give a great party. This book has it all, budget, lists, ideals, and recipes! I love the stories! I liked the one about the assistant jumping out of the window, and the idea of dressing the waitstaff in victorian outfits, this is the kind of stuff I have been searching for.
Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: I have read this book cover to cover twice now and I love it! Ms. Aloni has cleverly and realistically provided enough ideas that would make any party successful. She wisely admits that some people have to use take-out as an option to their cooking repetoir and it's not something to be ashamed of. Even though I have planned several parties there are several planning and cooking techniques that I will use with ease. It really is an indispensable guide for anyone. (The reference section in the back is especially helpful)
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Parties Every time
Review: If you follow Nicole Aloni's advice, you too will soon be considereed an accomplished hostess.Full of practical advice on everything from Table settings, Menu planning, theme ideas, rental requirements, hiring staff, to a fantastic Food Quantitity chart ~ which will once and for all unravel that mystery of HOW much food you need to serve 25 on a buffet anyways. For me, this chart alone makes the book a gem of a purchase. Add to all this information some hair raising stories, creative ideas, and Mrs. Aloni's witty sense of humour and you've got yourself a book that's a must have addition for everyone from the most novice hostess to the most experienced caterer. This is not a Martha Stewart book, you don't have to make everything from scratch, purchased food items and decorations are welcome, even recommended, encouraging you to focus on areas that you have the most skill in, leaving other areas to professionals ~ very sound advice. Also included are over 150 creative and tempting recipes to add to your repetoire. I can't wait to try the Coconut Shrimp This is one of those books that will be dog eared, highlighted, and marked in many places with sticky notes.
Rating:
Summary: It's Yummy!
Review: Just gobbled up Nicole Aloni's new book Secrets from a Caterer's Kitchen in one sitting. Not just a cookbook (though it is filled with yummy looking recipes), this book is all anyone needs to plan a party. Illustrated delightfully by Gary Hovland, it can't help but get you in the mood to entertain. I liked that it contained lots of hints on how to make the hostess' life less of a hassle. Aloni explains how to hire a caterer, incorporate take-out foods into the menu or involve the guests in the cooking (potlucks or "interactive cooking" as she calls it). Because, afterall, a great party is about more than just food, it's about having a good time.
Rating:
Summary: So Easy, So Complete!
Review: My husband and I do alot of entertaining, but not on a grand "hire a caterer" scale. This book was exactly what I needed to host 4 or 40! The book is full of great recipes, but so are alot of cookbooks. But this book goes further. It has tables and charts and information about how much to serve, what kinds of glasses you need, how many ounces to plan on, entertaining your guests, setting themes, making sure your guests know what to expect, how to dress, etc. etc. The book doesn't have the glitz and glamour of full color photos...it has information you can actually use! After reading this book cover to cover (and using lots of the ideas and recipes!) I also had the great fortune to take a cooking/entertaining class from Nicole and learned even more! I now can't wait to get my hands on her new book!
Rating:
Summary: So Easy, So Complete!
Review: My husband and I do alot of entertaining, but not on a grand "hire a caterer" scale. This book was exactly what I needed to host 4 or 40! The book is full of great recipes, but so are alot of cookbooks. But this book goes further. It has tables and charts and information about how much to serve, what kinds of glasses you need, how many ounces to plan on, entertaining your guests, setting themes, making sure your guests know what to expect, how to dress, etc. etc. The book doesn't have the glitz and glamour of full color photos...it has information you can actually use! After reading this book cover to cover (and using lots of the ideas and recipes!) I also had the great fortune to take a cooking/entertaining class from Nicole and learned even more! I now can't wait to get my hands on her new book!
Rating:
Summary: Playful recipes, serious organization
Review: Paris-trained Nicole Aloni offers help for every aspect of party planning from weddings to barbecues, from invitations to centerpieces to table settings and cooking utensils. Extensive menu plans include timelines and organizing suggestions, skill levels and presentation ideas. She provides advice on incorporating ready-made foods and utilizing outside services. There are lists and lists and tips on making your own lists. With all this detailed and inspiring advice, Aloni doesn't even get to the 150 recipes until halfway through the book. From hors d'ouevres to dessert, each recipe is prefaced with serving suggestions and symbols indicating various factors, including complexity, price, do-ahead, last minute prep and more. Many also offer variations and leftovers ideas. Aloni's world view includes substantial spectaculars like Carpaccio, Rack of Lamb with Tapenade, Tandoori Flavored Chicken, Shrimp Ravioli with Saffron Cream Sauce, Mushroom Strudel; familiar dishes like Baba Gannoush, Grilled Scallops with Bacon, Gravlax, Herb Garlic Crostini; lots of less familiar ideas like Porcini Broth with Creamy Polenta, Balinese Dumplings, Fish Tacos, and tweaked recipes like Chicken Liver Pate with Cherries and Pecans, Roast Tenderloin of Beef with Gorgonzola, Pear and Potato Gratin with Horseradish. There are side dishes - Spinach with Black Bean Sauce, Creamy Chard with Feta, several varieties of mashed potatoes and a short chapter of spectacular desserts: Coconut Mango Crème Brulee, Cappuccino Tart. Aloni likes to play with recipes and presentations and offers adventurous cooks the benefits of her experience. Her book is full of ideas to wow guests or wile away an afternoon as an armchair party-planner.
Rating:
Summary: Can you keep a secret?
Review: Secret's from a Caterers Kitchen is a comprehensive and accessible resource for the home hostess, as well as the professional event planner. In her Preface, author and professional caterer Nicole Aloni recalls a survey which concluded, "that hosting a dinner party for eight causes more tension than undergoing an emergency root canal." Experienced hostesses, no doubt, will find this unimaginable, but the rest of can relate. Full of tips, timelines and treasured recipes, this guide is a must-have for anyone who entertains or has hopes of doing so. The volume is peppered with the wonderfully whimsical illustrations of Gary Hovland and the real-life (you couldn't make some of that stuff up) stories from Aloni's years on the line that inspire the confidence to send out invitations and remind us what being a host is all about.--Suzanne Schmalzer, food writer
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