The Guide to Ridiculously Easy Entertaining: Tips from Marfreless Book

"The Guide to Ridiculously Easy Entertaining" is all about how people actually entertain today: conversing and enjoying the company of friends, family and other guests over good drink and food. Entertaining doesn't have to be difficult, but there can be a lot to know to do it properly and seamlessly. This resource will give you the knowledge, tools and confidence to do it well. All of the basics necessary for successful party planning are covered here, and a lot more. Chock full of food and drink-related information, this book will become a handy reference used over and over when planning events and even for visiting restaurants or strolling the aisles of the local wine, beer, liquor and food stores.

Written in a straightforward, entertaining and often humorous style, the book includes the specifics needed to plan and host an event from party suggestions to invitations to music to supplies to personal preparation and handling unexpected mishaps plus:
* Plentiful tips for hiring help for your event: the cooks, caterers, bartenders, bands, valet, etc.
* Guidelines for provisioning the proper types and amounts of liquor, wine, beer and food for your event.
* Interesting, easy-to-make and flavorful recipes that you'll actually use.
* Cocktails you will really concoct, and not just for a single glass, but also for pitchers and blenders for your party.
* Tips for preparing yourself for the party and on hosting.
* Handy checklists to use when planning and purchasing.
* Tons of information on subjects related to entertaining: wine, beer, liquor, cheese, and the ever-increasing variety and number of food terms that you will encounter on menus and in cookbooks that you might be embarrassed to admit that you don't know.

The authors bring a wealth of experience, both personal and professional, to the subject. Mike Riccetti is the author of the successful "Houston Dining on the Cheap" guidebooks, and contributes to several publications oncerning food, dining and drinking, and some less important topics. Co-author Michael Wells has been in the hospitality business for over twenty years and has managed restaurants, bars, and clubs, and has also organized and operated special events in Texas and Hawaii. He is currently the co-owner of the legendary Marfreless bar in Houston.