And The Winner Is...

“I would like to thank the members of the academy..." 

Can you imagine the thrill of holding that gold statue, and making your acceptance speech?  

The flashbulbs light up the night, as you're whisked away in a limo, going from one fabulous party to the next...   

Just a dream for most, and a reality for very few.   But don't let that stop you from throwing your own fabulous Oscar party! 

February 24th is the big day!  Call now, and book your party today!!! 

You may not win an Oscar, but your friends and family will certainly nominate you for host, or hostess of the year!!! 

Oscar Party Tips:

Choose a theme.

Pick a favorite movie, and decorate accordingly. 

Think glamorous, and dramatic.

Renting an outdoor red carpet will really put your guests in the "Oscar" mood.

If you really want to go all the way, hire a limo to pick up your guests.

Download the Oscar picks from the Internet, and make copies for all your guests. 

Present the winner with a nice gift!

Always have extra food on hand, in case unexpected guests show up.

Visit www.charliescola.com  and click on the "Menus" tab to view some of the gourmet delights that will take your next party from ordinary to extraordinary!

 

 Godfather Guacamole

Ingredients:

4 ripe avocados

Juice of 1 lemon

1 medium-sized ripe tomato, remove seeds and dice

1 small red onion, diced

¼ cup chopped coriander

Pinch of ground cumin

Pinch of ground coriander

Salt and Pepper

Worcestershire Sauce

Tabasco

Preparation:

• Remove the skins and pits of the avocados and lightly mash with a fork.
   
• Add the remaining ingredients, stirring lightly.
  
  
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce.

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

 

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PartyCharlie’s Menu Tips For A Low-Fat, Healthy, And Fun Party:

One of the top New Year’s resolutions we make each and every year, is the shedding of all those un-wanted Holiday pounds.

Follow these party menu tips, to have fun, and lose weight!

Low fat chicken, fish or lean meat main dish - not fried - e.g. grilled, oven baked, poached, or a casserole with little or no fat added.

Baked, jacket or mashed potato (without added fat) or rice or pasta.

Two choices of vegetables or salad.

Wholemeal bread or brown bread rolls.

Options for low-fat, sauces, gravy, dressings or toppings on the side

A low-fat fruit-based dessert.

Fruit juice, and water.

Low fat salad dressings.

Fresh fruit.

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

 

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Happy New Year!

I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy, and successful New Year! 

For Over 30 years I have been catering some of the best parties from New York,  to L.A. and I have witnessed the health and success benefits of partying all around me.

So if you’re feeling guilty for feeding your face a bit too much at a party this holiday season, I have good news for you; Partying and celebrating is a healthy way of life!

Webster’s defines "partying" as “a gathering for social entertainment or the entertainment itself, often of a specific nature; as a card Party, cocktail Party..." Well they didn’t mention downing a fifth of Vodka, so I guess we can enjoy ourselves without getting hammered. 

The very act of socializing is very beneficial to your health. Here’s how it goes: Shrinks, head doctors, mental health physicians or whatever you want to call them have been telling us for years to get out and party.

Socializing and partying is a way to boost our immune system, and with so much talk about the immune system today we need all the help we can get.

Social contact in a friendly, pleasant, upbeat environment is extremely reinforcing to who we are as humans. We are by nature social animals.

Socializing and partying enriches us. So, why doesn't everyone partake in this age-old ritual? Well here are some of the reasons: I’m too old, not hip enough, too tired, don’t have the time, it’s too far, I don’t like the food they’re serving, my clothes don’t fit--go ahead add on to the list, I know you can!

Listen, it’s your life, but if you want some long overdue happiness, you can start by joining the party!

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

 

Sign Up For My FREE Monthly Newsletter: http://www.charliescola.com

Successful Holiday Entertaining

Successful holiday entertaining doesn’t mean you need to be stuck in the kitchen while your guests are having all the fun. 

Here are few tips, for a fun holiday party that everyone can enjoy!

Make as many dishes as you can the day before your party.

Keep the number of recipes that involve last-minute preparation to a minimum.

Avoid recipes that must be cooked at different oven temperatures.

Don't experiment, make recipes that are tried and true.

Think about contrasting colors and taste of the food. 

Avoid repeating flavors, each dish should stand out on its own.

Consider the presentation, and make a list the day before the party, of every item you will need to serve up the food.

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

 

Sign Up For My FREE Monthly Newsletter: http://www.charliescola.com

Planning The Details

The weather outside is hardly ever frightful.  Most of the time it’s very delightful. But despite the relative unchanging weather in Southern California, the calendar unbelievably points toward the upcoming Holiday Season.

Have you been thinking about throwing that perfect Christmas cocktail party, holiday office party, or an elegant sit-down dinner?  

It doesn’t matter if you're planning to do the work yourself, or hiring a professional caterer/party planner; if you want your event to be successful, you must begin planning the details... ASAP! 

With all the gatherings that will be happening at homes and businesses this holiday season, one major party planning detail that is often times missed, is the proper handling and disposing of Trash! 

It’s best to plan for the trash in advance, then having to spring into action when the first guest questions what to do with his plate full of garbage. (Hopefully he’s not talking about your food…) 

Planning in advance is the key to the success of any party or event!

  

If you want to do something special this Holiday season, give PartyCharlie a call.  I specialize in traditional parties to out of this world extravaganzas! 

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

 

Sign Up For My FREE Monthly Newsletter: http://www.charliescola.com

PartyCharlie's Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips:

The safest way to defrost a frozen turkey is in the refrigerator. 

Allow 24 hours of defrosting for every five pounds of turkey.

Before buying your turkey, make plenty of room in your refrigerator.  Make sure you have a plate big enough to accommodate the turkey, so the leaking juices do not contaminate other foods.  

Before preparing the turkey, thoroughly clean the counter as well as all the equipment you'll be using.  Clean immediately with hot soapy water anything, including sponges and hands, that come in contact with the raw turkey or juice.

Do not trust the "pop-up" thermometer that comes with the turkey.  It's always best to check the temperature with a conventional meat thermometer.  Cook the turkey until the temperature reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit in the inner thigh.

The safest way to cook stuffing is on the stove or in the oven, but separate from the turkey.

Be sure to refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking the food.  The turkey should be removed from the bone and used within four days.

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

 

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Thanksgiving Day!

It’s that time of the year for turkeys, stuffing, Indian corn, and holiday parades. Thanksgiving Day!

Traditions are a big part of the Thanksgiving holiday, and every American family has their own. 

Football, homemade desserts, and unique side dishes are just some of the things that make Thanksgiving…Thanksgiving! 

If you truly want a unique Thanksgiving experience, why not celebrate the holiday at a Malibu Carbon Beach Cottage on the Sand!

This is a 3-bedroom 2-bathroom beach cottage on one of the best beaches in all of Malibu - it's called Carbon Beach and there are some spectacular homes here.

Carbon Beach is excellent since it is relatively quiet, there is plenty of dry sand, the contour of the beach is relatively wide and gently sloped, there are some stately homes and mansions nearby, and it is relatively close to 'town' - Santa Monica, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, etc.

So why not give yourself a break, and celebrate Thanksgiving in style!  Call me now!!!

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

 

Sign Up For My FREE Monthly Newsletter: http://www.charliescola.com