Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations

General Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mississippi Magazine's Patty Roper Gives Hostesses a
Confidence Boost with Her Creative New Cookbook:
Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations

Mississippi's "Easy Does It" expert, Patty Roper, helps conquer entertaining fears head on with an innovative, new how-to book on party planning. Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations walks the reader step by step through hosting a whirlwind season of social events from a pool-side brunch or holiday dinner party, to a bridal shower or at-home wedding reception. Over 30 complete party plans are laid out with 200 recipes, stunning full-color photos, and easy-to-follow directions.

"So many people are intimidated when it comes to hosting parties, and there's just no reason for it," said Roper, the editorial director of Mississippi Magazine and author of three popular entertaining cookbooks. "With a little planning and creativity, anyone can give a memorable party without hiring a lot of outside help or breaking the bank," Roper said.

Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations' easy-but-elegant recipes run the gamut from a Sunday brunch with crabmeat quiche and broccoli salad to a formal dinner boasting Cornish hens, tomatoes Rockefeller, and lemon angel food ice box cake. What's more, each event's theme is fully implemented throughout all aspects of the party.

Roper offers do-it-yourself instructions for creating striking table decorations, gift wrap and party invitations all made with simple, everyday materials. A groomsmen's luncheon incorporates inexpensive, thrift store ties cleverly woven into gift wrapping, napkin rings and place mats. Another party boasts a romantic swan theme that is echoed even in the meal's swan-shaped cream puff dessert.

The book also includes tips on general party planning and etiquette. "It makes a great starting point for getting ideas that you can adapt yourself," said Roper. "I want this book to be that spark of inspiration that gives any hostess the confidence she needs to step out and try something new."

This cookbook represents a new collaboration between two Jackson-area publishing companies who have a combined six decades of expertise in the field of southern books and magazines.  Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations was written and produced by Mississippi Magazine (Downhome Publications, Inc.) and published and distributed by Quail Ridge Press, Inc.  It is the first in a series of books that pairs the fresh writing and artful photography of Mississippi Magazine with the publishing expertise of Quail Ridge Press (quailridge.com), whose roster of books includes more than 100 successful titles.  "We are delighted to be working with Patty Roper on this cookbook," says Gwen McKee, owner of Quail Ridge Press.  "I have always admired the quality of her work."

Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations is currently available at area bookstores, kitchen and gift shops, directly from Mississippi Magazine (mismag.com) or Quail Ridge Press (www.quailridge.com), or by calling (800) 343-1583.

Patty Roper's popular column "Easy Does It" has been featured in Mississippi Magazine for the past 16 years.  Her previous books include Easy Hospitality (1996), Easy Does It Entertaining (2004), and At the Table with Patty Roper (2006).  A Mississippi native, Roper resides in Jackson, Mississippi, with her husband, publisher Richard Roper.

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For Digital hi-res photographs or a review copy contact: Lynn Oakes at (800) 343-1583 or loakes@quailridge.com