From Publishers Weekly
Tutera has honed his party-throwing skills with books on the subject and with his new Discovery Channel show The Party Planner with David Tutera. This book, based on the show and loaded with photos of Tutera smiling as he decorates a cupcake or toasts a marshmallow, covers cocktail parties, dinner parties, holiday entertaining and special occasions, showing two examples of each that Tutera has thrown for his clients. In every case study, Tutera concentrates on engaging each of the senses, with thematic decor, scent (from flowers and candles to aromas from the kitchen), tabletop displays, food and music. For example, for a party to celebrate a couple's new boat, Tutera planned a cocktail party on a dock, with striped beach towel blankets (he includes instructions for making them), mini-burgers on the grill, salty fries, bite-size lobster rolls, summery drinks and a playlist loaded with Beach Boys tunes. Each of the book's sections offers tips, though some are quite vague (e.g., Tutera suggests garnishing a Snowy Cosmopolitan with a snowflake-shaped apple slice but gives no instructions for doing so). And the author's role as party planner to the stars (clients include Jennifer Lopez, Elton John and Star Jones) may account for the extravagant tabletop decorations, which may not appeal to everyone (or their budget). Still, the book can provide inspiration for parties at any level. 210 color photos. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


Book Description
David Tutera is a highly regarded event designer whose clients have included Elton John, Barbara Walters, Star Jones, and Susan Lucci. He is also the host of a new one-hour, twice-daily program on the Discovery Channel, Party Planner with David Tutera, that debuts in January 2005. On the show, Tutera lends his expertise to people looking to throw an unforgettable party on an everyday budget. Tutera brings a fresh, original twist to holiday parties while retaining time-honored traditions. He demonstrates novel and affordable--yet utterly sophisticated--approaches to special occasions, holiday and cocktail parties, and dinner parties. In this heavily illustrated book of the same name, each chapter covers a different party that will also be aired on the show. Tutera emphasizes addressing all five senses--the taste, the look, the sound, the scent, and the touch--of every event. Also included are "Tutera Tips" for invitations, entertainment, decor, menu ideas, table settings, and floral arrangements. David Tutera is already a noted name, but THE PARTY PLANNER will bring his reputation and signature approach in entertaining to a broad new audience.


About the Author
David Tutera has been a contributing entertaining expert on The View and The Tony Danza Show and he has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the Today show, CNN, E!, and the Style Network. His work has also been featured in such publications as the New York Times, People, In Touch, The Wall Street Journal, and Cosmopolitan. His previous books are A Passion for Parties and America Entertains. He lives in New York City.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

David Tutera is a highly regarded event designer whose clients have included Elton John, Barbara Walters, Star Jones, and Susan Lucci. He is also the host of a new one-hour, twice-daily program on the Discovery Channel, Party Planner with David Tutera, that debuts in January 2005. On the show, Tutera lends his expertise to people looking to throw an unforgettable party on an everyday budget. Tutera brings a fresh, original twist to holiday parties while retaining time-honored traditions. He demonstrates novel and affordable—yet utterly sophisticated—approaches to special occasions, holiday and cocktail parties, and dinner parties. In this heavily illustrated book of the same name, each chapter covers a different party that will also be aired on the show. Tutera emphasizes addressing all five senses—the taste, the look, the sound, the scent, and the touch—of every event. Also included are ￯﾿ﾽTutera Tips￯﾿ﾽ for invitations, entertainment, decor, menu ideas, table settings, and floral arrangements. David Tutera is already a noted name, but THE PARTY PLANNER will bring his reputation and signature approach in entertaining to a broad new audience.

Author Biography: David Tutera has been a contributing entertaining expert on The View and The Tony Danza Show and he has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the Today show, CNN, E!, and the Style Network. His work has also been featured in such publications as the New York Times, People, In Touch, The Wall Street Journal, and Cosmopolitan. His previous books are A Passion for Parties and America Entertains. He lives in New York City.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly