Main description:

From one of Los Angeles's premier caterers and event planners, here is a beautifully photographed cookbook filled with more than 100 delectable recipes and brilliant party-planning tips

Lulu Powers, vivacious chef to the stars, has catered parties for a cache of A-list celebrities. What her clients love most is her irrepressible spirit and ability to create elegant yet unpretentious gatherings that feature fabulous food and festive cocktails. In Lulu Powers: Food to Flowers, she dishes out her secrets to enjoyable and stress-free entertaining. From a holiday brunch to a retro party, from a classic Fourth of July celebration to a casual winter picnic, here are dozens of inspiring ways to gather with friends and loved ones.

For these creative events, Lulu provides the perfect menu and lays out everything you'll need to host an unforgettable gathering—from sublime cocktails to making a memorable atmosphere with flowers, music, and budget-friendly décor. Of course, the centerpiece of any Lulu Powers party is her delicious, expertly presented food, and the book reveals her best, most crowd-pleasing recipes, including:

• Mini Wild Mushroom Risotto Cakes
• Burger Bites with Lulu's Special Sauce
• Herb-Marinated Lamb Chops
• Mini Double-Stuffed New Potatoes
• Caramel-Fudge Brownies
• Butterscotch Pudding with Rum Sauce

The recipes can be mixed and matched, and almost every dish can be prepared ahead of time, making party planning even easier.

Lulu believes that everyone's capable of throwing a great party, and breaks down her inimitable style into simple elements, with hundreds of shortcuts and money-saving tips to ease the mind of even the novice host. She guides you through the party planning process, with loads of information about entertaining and hosting in a fun, relaxed manner. Armed with Lulu's recipes, tips, and party-giving secrets, you'll soon be throwing the best bashes on the block.

Review quote:

Celebrity caterer Powers shares indispensable tips for entertaining and provides menus for different types of parties, like a Houseguest Breakfast…or a Dinner Party on the Fly. It’s easy to imagine hosting one of these events, as all of them are well documented with colorful photos of food [and] table settings.

Review quote:

Lulu Powers Food to Flowers shows you how to keep it stylishly simple with ideas for everything from a holiday brunch to a retro game night. It’s chock-full of recipes…and every single one is easy enough that even a kitchen klutz can impress.

Short description/annotation:

From Lulu Powers, one of Los Angeles’s premier caterers and event planners, comes a lively, lushly photographed, full-color cookbook featuring 175 recipes and inspired party-planning tips. Lulu Powers Food to Flowers offers simple, stylish food for easy entertaining—invaluable steps to the perfect party or gathering, from a Coffee and Newspaper Party to a Retro Game Night to a Big City Cocktail Party.