When I was asked to review the book ‘Perfect Parties’ I had no idea what to expect. Most of the books on entertaining I have read either focusses on the décor aspect, or the recipes. This book however covers it all! The book literally includes décor ideas, with gorgeous images, menu options, recipes, to-do lists and check-lists for a variety of special occasions.
About the Author
Originally an economist, Janet Kohler decided to follow her heart and train as a cordon bleu cook, but now as a stay-at-home mother of young children, she runs her own cookery school from her home in Durban. For Janet, the aim of this book is to empower its readers with the confidence to entertain in a stress-free manner. Not every event has to be a staged banquet, the important thing is to plan ahead and do everything as carefully and as beautifully as you can.
About Perfect Parties
The cover, look and feel of the book is already inviting. The book starts off with some general guidelines to host any type of party and includes a check-list and planner of what to do a month before up to on the actual day. Various events covered include: High teas, picnics, bridal and baby showers, birthdays, engagement parties and even weddings! There is also a chapter dedicated to Celebrating Christmas in style. Janet guides the reader through every aspect of a party, from choosing a theme; through décor and preparation countdowns; right down to the step-by-step recipes.
Although I have done plenty of styled shoots since starting lovilee, I find that when I actually host my own function at home, it often ends up being very stressful and I end up running around trying to do a whole lot of last minute things. In the book Janet suggests various menu’s for each type of event, but what I found even more useful is that she also includes which of the items on the menu’s can be made and frozen for up to a month before the event, thus reducing the number of things you need to try and do on the day.
The book ends off with conversion tables and some basic recipes and techniques. These chapters are invaluable, as it includes tutorials on how to use fondant and also include step-by-step instructions on using various other icing techniques and icing nozzles.
About the recipes
So I thought I would give an easy looking recipe a try from the book and found a basic chocolate coffee cake recipe with ganache icing. And? It worked!!!! My first cake ever that has not flopped, what is even better is that it tastes awesome as well!
Who will benefit from having this book?
Literally anyone who loves or wants to entertain. It will make even the most novice entertainer look like a pro.
Random House Struik Publishers are giving two lovilees the opportunity to each win themselves a copy of Perfect Parties. All you have to do to enter is to complete the Rafflecopter form below:
Terms & Conditions of the give-away:
- The competition closes at midnight on Friday, 31 October 2014, South African time.
- The winner{s} will be announced on Lovilee’s Facebook page on or before Monday, 3 November 2014.
- The prize{s} are not transferable for cash.
- Director’s, members, partners, employee’s, consultants, promoters directly or indirectly involved may not win the prize.
- Suppliers of the goods may not win the prize.
- Open to South African residents only with a valid SA Postal address or physical RSA address.
Can’t wait for the competition to close? Purchase yourself a copy of this lovilee book here.
All of the images taken by Carike Ridout Photography.
Disclaimer
This is a sponsored post as per our standard disclaimers and disclosures.
Let's get social
Instagram: @lovilee_zaTwitter: @lovilee_za
Facebook: @lovileeblog
or subscribe to never miss out on any new articles in this link.
Comments are closed.