food stall

By Pauline Parry In my "unplugged" series in which I talk with event pros who inspire us, I sat down with Hillary Harris, Executive Director of Special Events at Warner Bros. Studios . It was right after she gave a wonderful presentation to the WIPA audience gathered at Mr. C in Los Angeles. In that presentation, we journeyed with Hillary as she took us through the decades with weddings from her upbringing in the sixties in Newport Beach to now. It was interesting to see how so much of what has gone before informs what we are doing today in decor, food and customs. As is the style of this column, I wondered what in her personal life might affect, inspire and motivate the design work at the high-profile events she produces at Warner Bros. Just recently Hillary completed the Environmental Media Association Awards which featured a stage show and an after party of food stations manned by Los Angeles' best restaurants. This year's star-studded event was notable for a st...

BY MICHELLE NOWAK, EVENT PRODUCER, GOOD GRACIOUS! EVENTS You know it's summer when the lobster dinnerware, and nautical colors hit the stores and even better, we'll create any excuse for a BBQ!! Sarah and Chris growing up on the East Coast could think of nothing more exciting than to see their East Coast friends and family enjoy a Lobster/Clam Bake West Coast Style for their Wedding Rehearsal Dinner, and where better to host it than on the MALIBU PIER!! With a full moon and summer breeze, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect summer night! Guests were welcomed by The Cape Codder and McGoo Signature Cocktails waiting for them on the upper deck above the pier and overlooking the magnificant ocean and Malibu beach, a view you can't beat even if you tried. As the surfers soaked up the last waves before the sun went down, guests enjoyed hors d' ouevres of Celery Bay Popcorn served in Lobster Cones, Clam Choweder Oyster Cracker Shooters, Lobster Mac n Cheese, and Cr...

By Pauline Parry Every year  Wildflower Linen puts on a fashion show in Orange County using owner and creative director Youngsong Martin's fabulous linens as the dresses. It's a lot of fun and is always on trend. In this case, the mixture of pastel tones, lace looks, taper candles, silver and low floral centerpieces was the perfect forecast the next season of event "fashion." The guests were the ladies of Chapman University. The Mille Fiori designed the flowers and Good Gracious! Events created a menu rich with style and taste (and just a touch of humor).    PREVIEW Curried Lobster Cucumber Cup lightly curried lobster nestled in a crisp cucumber cup topped with watermelon radish Mac and Cheese Sturgeon Cup Cake petite mac and cheese cup cake topped with American sturgeon caviar a pearl of cr�me fraiche Spinach Chicken Fortune �Cookie� baby spinach with a ginger chicken sriracha hoisin mixture nestled in a crispy wonton �cookie� served with a fortune   BEGIN Sweet P...

By Pauline Parry Ooo la la, she's having a bebe! In honor of my son, Ross, and daughter-in-law, Lauren, who will be having a baby boy this summer, several friends and I threw a Parisian bebe shower at the magical showroom of Rrivre Works. Where else in Los Angeles can one say "meet me under the Eiffel Tower?"  Guests entered the party through a wrought-iron gate and after getting a glass of champagne ... ...or blueberry lemonade, donned berets and joined their amis for the beginning of a lovely lunch.   The hostesses! A flower cart was a charming buffet filled with an assortment of French cheeses and gourmet popcorn and illuminated with vintage white lanterns . The dining table was set with a menu card branded with the same look as the invitation. Blue martini glasses and blue and white floral arrangements by Gina Kim-Park from The Mille Fiori were the perfect French accent!    MENU from the flower cart   Truffle Oil Popcorn freshly popped popcorn drizzled w...

BY  GOOD GRACIOUS! EVENTS Recently we had the pleasure of throwing a dinner party for a few lovely guests at a clients home on their 20 acre Ranch in Thousand Oaks, which was hosted at the former estate of an iconic actress. I can't help but love a party to kick off the Summer and a celebration that was meant to honor a very special guest. Bringing life to their outdoor patio, we decided to tent for a beautiful outdoor evening in the garden. Guests were welcomed by Elderflower and Margarita Cocktails and ushered onto the lush greens of the property for hors d'oeuvres by the pool. HORS D' OUVRES Heirloom Orange Gazpacho Shooters, Tuna Tartare, Beef Yorkshire Pudding, & Dusted Steak Fries with Truffle Oil. As guests sat for an al fresco dinner, the frog started chirping right on que! The hosts were not kidding, my first official frog tamer job... clapping my hands walking around a pond so the frogs would silence long enough for the host to get his speech and toast in. Th...