Synopses & Reviews
Entertaining doyenne Phyllis Hoffman shows how to prepare a stunning table for any occasion.
So many of the events of our lives, from the formal to the informal, are celebrated by gathering around a table. Whatever the occasion—whether it's a holiday dinner, Sunday brunch, or a casual lunch with friends—the table is the place where we relax and enjoy each other's company while savoring a great meal.
No one knows how to dress a table with elegance and flair better than Phyllis Hoffman, publisher of Southern Lady magazine, the quintessential resource for entertaining the gracious Southern way. Now, Hoffman draws upon her years of expertise to create Southern Lady Gracious Tables, the definitive guide to creating gorgeous "tablescapes" for every occasion.
Starting with the basics, Hoffman presents a series of breathtaking spreads for a whole range of occasions, from formal settings to casual get-togethers, and describes how to achieve each look, right down to the recipes—55 in total—for her mouthwatering specialties. Enjoy a lovely outdoor lunch of tasty Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab and Green Chile Cream Sauce, or finish off a dinner party with delectable Praline Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce.
Hoffman then builds a "wardrobe for the table," navigating through the complex world of dinnerware, fine linens, and serving pieces. Each and every element of the table—from fruit saucer to lemon fork to water goblet—is covered in a friendly, helpful way.
Finally, there's advice on adding that all-important personal touch, with instructions on how to craft flowers, family heirlooms, collectibles, and other unexpected treasures into the perfect centerpiece, place marker, or accent. All along, her advice includes refreshingly simple techniques for presentation and encourages the reader's own creativity in playing with colors, patterns, and styles.
Complemented by lush photography and told in Hoffman's accessible, encouraging, and deliciously Southern voice, Southern Lady Gracious Tables is a must-have for every aspiring hostess, south or north of the Mason Dixon. The perfect gift for any woman who loves to entertain, it has all the tools, tips, and inspiration you need to elevate the ordinary to the unforgettable.
Synopsis
Think of the many times we come together with family or friends. From formal graduation parties and holiday dinners, to casual luncheons and coffee breaks, even just a visit from a neighbour or a special Sunday supper, all of these events, no matter how different the occasion, are celebrated by gathering around a table. Here is where we relax with our kids, catch up with our girlfriends, and simply enjoy each other's company while savouring a great meal. And the way in which we present our tablesandndash;by adding thoughtful accents and centrepieces, or including exquisite place settings and festive arrangementsandndash;makes these experiences all the more memorable.
With seven different magazine titles in circulation, including the bimonthly Southern Lady and Cooking with Paula Deen, and an estimated readership of 3 million, publisher Phyllis Hoffman knows the secret to entertaining with personality and elegance. She draws upon her years of expertise in Southern Lady: Gracious Tables, the definitive guide to creating gorgeous "tablescapes" for every occasion.
Hoffman begins with the basics. She presents a series of breathtaking spreads for familyandndash;oriented events, formal settings, and casual getandndash;togethers, then describes how to achieve each look, right down to the recipesandndash;andndash;55 in totalandndash;andndash;for her delectable treats. Her advice includes techniques for presentation and tips on appropriate etiquette, ensuring that readers will both look and play the part of the consummate hostess. Hoffman then builds a "wardrobe for the table," navigating through the complex world of dinnerware, fine linens, and serving pieces. She closes by showing readers how to add that allandndash;important personal touch, with instructions on how to craft flowers, family heirlooms, collectibles, and other unexpected treasures into the perfect centrepiece, place marker, or accent.
Complemented by lush photography and told in Hoffman's accessible, encouraging, and deliciously Southern voice, Southern Lady: Gracious Tables is a mustandndash;have for every aspiring hostess, south or north of the Mason Dixon. The perfect holiday gift for any woman who loves to entertain, it has all the tools, tips, and inspiration you need to elevate the ordinary to the unforgettable.
About the Author
Phyllis Hoffman is majority owner and president of Hoffman Media, LLC. She serves as the creative engine of the company, producing an ever-widening range of beautiful magazines including Tea Time, Southern Lady, Just CrossStitch, Sew Beautiful, and Taste of the South. She is also a sought-after speaker across the country, a devoted wife and mother, and a church and community leader. Hoffman lives with her family in Birmingham, Alabama.