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At GG!, we believe it's as much fun to give a foodie gift as to receive one. Foodie gifts are joyful, full of color and flavor, creativity, invention and imagination...and they hold the promise of wonderful meals to be savored and shared with family and friends.

Here are a few of the gifts we've added to our holiday lists this year!
Himalayan Pink Rock Salt and Custom Grater
From the foothills of the Himalayas, this salt gets its pink speckled color from the natural richness derived from iron and other minerals. Natural and pure, it is unrefined with no additives. Packaged with a custom grater to grate fresh at the table. From Sur La Table

La Tourangelle Roasted Walnut Oil


Add a little something special to your winter dishes, salads, baked goods and vegetable sautes with the rich, roasted flavor of La Tourangelle walnut oil. This French favorite is now handcrafted in California...and it's good for you, too! From Sur La Table 

Flora Springs Holiday Helper Red Wine
 A "must have" wine to get you through the "must dos" of the holidays. Whenever you start to feel stressed, just relax and pour yourself a glass of this Bordeaux blend with juicy strawberry, rhubarb and white pepper aroma and bright flavors of raspberry, blueberry, baking spices, clove and coffee. Mmm...and we adore the label art custom-designed by artist Wes Freed. Send an email to theroom@florasprings.com to purchase.

Nuance Wine Finer Aerator
Four functions, one amazing invention. Serving wine gets a whole lot simpler with the Nuance Wine Finer Aerator. Danish designers combine an aerator, filter, non-spill pourer, and stopper into one do-it-all instrument the size of a fountain pen. From Wine Enthusiast

Who Wants Seconds?
Sociable Suppers for Vegans, Omnivores &
Everyone in Between
by Jennie Cook
Our fabulous friend Jennie Cook has just released a book to delight foodies everywhere, featuring her fantastic recipes and fun illustrations. I was brought up with the English TV show, THE GOOD LIFE, and Jen certainly lives that life, taking care of the earth and cooking with what nature brings us...and always with LOVE.  From Barnes and Noble or your local bookstore.

Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist
by Tim Federle
A clever tribute to literature, Tequila Mockingbird is the cocktail book for the literary obsessed. Combining beloved classic novels with witty humor and delicious drink recipes, some of the charming recipes include Vermouth the Bell Tolls, Gin Eyre, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margarita, Bridget Jones’s Daiquiri, and more. From Barnes and Noble or your local bookstore.

Littlejohn's World Famous English Toffee
Littlejohn's created their fabulous English toffee (possibly the BEST in the U. S.) for the elite of LA back in 1924 and according to their slogan, they've been "handcrafting smiles" ever since. They have many more mouthwatering confections - fudge, chocolate covered pecan toffee, old-fashioned favorites like divinity, honeycomb and much more - made from scratch daily right in front of you. If you're in LA, get on down to the World Famous Farmer's Market now. From Littlejohn's Candies

Everyone knows some of the best gifts are hand-made with love. Last, but not least, from the Good Gracious! kitchen, we have some sweet and savory ideas for you.

GG! Shortbread
Delightfully chewy and buttery, we like to use our nutty shortbread as our special calling card all year long. It's perfect with a cup of tea or a glass of egg nog!

GG! Bacon Jam
Our hearty bacon jam is perfect with crostini and aged white cheddar with crystal salt. And it looks fabulous packaged in a classic white jam pot.

Christine Holiday Cookie
Our Florentine-style holiday Christine cookie is crispy with just a hint of chewiness and comes from my dear friend, Christine. Her original cookie features dark chocolate and walnut pieces, but for this festive variation, we've added the colors and tastes of the holidays with white chocolate, cranberries and peppermint candy. Enjoy!

Wishing you all a FABULOUS holiday filled with Food, Fun and Love...Cheers!
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At Good Gracious! we LOVE having the opportunity of pairing wine and food.  Our client had an Open House on the 60th floor of a high-rise in Los Angeles and wanted a little something more than networking with music. We decided to create a California Wine Journey for their guests to enjoy, with wines on three floors paired with food in each area.  We had a wine expert available in each area to share added knowledge and enrich the experience.

We hope the selections below will inspire you to explore and savor the fresh tastes of the golden state this holiday season.

Laird 2010 Pinot Grigio/Carneros

Organic cheeses with ciabatta toasts and fig preserve
California Organic Artisan Cheeses
Cowgirl triple cream
Humbold Fog
Laird 2010 Pinot Grigio/Carneros

Goat milk feta
Cabot Clothbound cheddar
Fiftyrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2008/Napa Valley

served with grilled garlic olive oil ciabatta toasts and fig preserve

Mac and Cheese Lobster Martini
signature creamy lobster mac and cheese with gratin topping
Laird 2010 Pinot Grigio/Carneros

Deconstructed Sushi Salad
center cut ahi tuna tumbled with ginger-chili soy
served with rice with wakame wasabi nori,
pickled ginger and spicy micro herb salad
Trione 2008 Russian River Syrah/Russian River Sonoma

Deconstructed Sushi Salad
Fava Bean Pappardelle 
house made pappardelle pasta with fava bean pesto,
asparagus, snow peas, ricotta lemon olive oil swirl
topped with shaved parmesan 
Curran 2011 Grenache Blanc/Santa Ynez Valley 

Grilled Lamb Lollipops
grilled local Petaluma rack of lamb with aromats
olive oil + tiny theme stems
served with golden cauliflower mash
Palmina Savoia 2009/Santa Barbara County

Smoked Fresh King Salmon
whole apple chip house smoked fresh wild king salmon
served with pink peppercorn tartar
Westerly Pinot Noir 2010/Santa Rita Hills

Baby Gem Blueberry Salad
baby gem lettuces, organic goat milk feta
local organic blueberries
edible flower petals and poppy seed vinaigrette
Palmina Savoia 2009/Santa Barbara County

Tobin James 2009 Rock N Roll/Paso Robles

Taco bar with guacamole, pico de gallo and black beans

Corn Succotash
Taco Bar
carne asada 
Tobin James 2009 Syrah Rock N Roll/Paso Robles

pork carnitas
MYV Zinfandel 2010/Paso Robles

seasonal local fish
Daou 2012 Chardonnay/PasoRobles

together with
- tres pico de gallo made with heirloom tomatoes
red, verde and combination of yellow and orange tomatoes
cilantro, cucumber, garlic and red onion
- crushed black beans
- guacamole
- house made tortilla barks of sesame, cheese, spices

Corn Succotash
grilled white and yellow corn, vine ripened tomatoes and
peppers succotash with baby kale

Blackberry Pavlova

Strawberry Cheesecake
Blackberry Pavlova
petite meringue with a crisp outside and soft center
topped with orange cream and jewel of fresh blackberry
2007 Far Niente "Dolce"/Napa Valley

Selection of Cookies
selection of signature citrus, fruit, nuts and chocolate

Strawberry Cheesecake
stemmed strawberries swirl of brown sugar cheesecake
2009 Westerly Apres Le Vin De Paille/Santa Barbara County

Chocolate Pot au Creme
little pots of rich custard sealed with a layer of chocolate ganache
flakes of Monterey Bay sea salt
2007 Far Niente "Dolce"/Napa Valley

Trio Chocolate Truffles
white chocolate dried cranberries and buttery macadamia nuts
milk chocolate with toffee brittle
dark chocolate espresso mint
Justin 2009 OBTUSE/Paso Robles

We would like to acknowledge that Liquid Party Works were very instrumental in helping us with the selections of wine…It was a FUN time making our choices!

CHEERS to Food, Fun and Wine!







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We love the Latin culture...the colors, the creativity, the food. And with the announcement of Martha's new role, it's the perfect time to look back at the special parties we've designed and catered over the years—weddings, quinceaneras and Latin-themed corporate events. A fiesta is the perfect way to celebrate the best moments in life with family and friends!

Colorful dessert bar for Disney
Gorgeous wedding fountain
Trio of Mexican delights: flan, churro & watermelon agua fresca
Unique, fun chair decor
Fabulous colors everywhere you look
Sweet 15
Adorable cake
Shrimp ceviche cones
Ross and Lauren's fiesta rehearsal dinner
We love the Day of the Dead graphic and papel picado!

For more fiesta inspiration, visit our new Latino events page on the Good Gracious! website.
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We at GG! are so excited by the flurry of same-sex weddings in California.  It has been moving and exhilarating to see the pure joy on couples' faces as they finally say "I do!" Three cheers for equality and LOVE!

As couples begin to plan the weddings they have always dreamed of, we offer some inspiration with a look back at two gorgeous weddings with different styles and many wonderful personal touches.

With a fabulous backdrop of sea and sky, Valerie and Sue's wedding at the Adamson House was simple and elegant, studded with a riot of fall colors—magenta, poppy, copper, wine, violet and peach—from the stunning florals atop the cake and scattered on the grass to the brilliant sequined linens on the tabletops. It was a true celebration of love and family, perfectly capturing the couple's warmth, joy, sense of adventure and excitement for the future.

The beauty of love at the Adamson House
A backdrop of sea, sky and flowers at the ceremony

All the warmth of family
A centerpiece commemorating the couple's family ties & love journey
We love the sequined tabletop!
The gorgeous wedding cake from Sweet Lady Jane
PREVIEW

Scallop Lemongrass
grilled fresh scallops scented with a lightly curried lemongrass
served on sugar cane

Smoked Chicken Parmesan Cradle
smoked chicken with basil, lemon aioli

Ahi Tuna Tartare Cone
seared ahi tuna tartar in sesame wonton cone

Shots of Green Gazpacho Shrimp
gazpacho of roasted tomatillos, cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro
served with rock shrimp in shot glass

Chicken Caesar Salad Cone
grilled chicken Caesar salad in petite baked cone 

Mac and Cheese Cupcake
creamy macaroni cheddar cheese cupcake
with a panko gratin crust

Chicken Brie Zucchini Purse
grilled herb chicken tossed with creamy brie,
zucchini and roasted fennel in golden phyllo purse

BEGIN

Yellow and Green Zucchini Carpaccio
very thinly sliced yellow and green zucchini topped with
baby arugula salad, grilled hearts of palm, roasted pine nuts
lemon olive oil dressing and shaved parmesan

MAIN

Black Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin and
Pan Seared Scallops
medium rare beef tenderloin medallion crowned with
melange of shitake mushrooms and leeks
duo pan seared scallops with chimichurri and spinach
crushed potatoes and three color baby carrots


Kevin and Dennis always knew they wanted an ultra chic, sophisticated, but fun wedding..."think Cary Grant goes to the Vanderbilt's for the weekend."  With only six weeks to plan, we helped them put their stylish stamp on everything, literally, with a signature Devintini drink and monogrammed dance floor and fabulous details like the whimsical appetizer library and a mirrored table laden with gorgeous crystal escort cards.

Ceremony at sunset
The glittering escort card table
Selections from the appetizer library

PREVIEW

Beef Roulade
medium rare beef tenderloin ribbon
wrapped around enoki mushroom
baby watercress and gorgonzola mash

Caprese Salad Skewer
fresh mozzarella, basil, yellow and red pear tomato
aged balsamic glaze

Apple Wood Smoked Salmon Phyllo Basket
fresh salmon smoked with apple wood chips placed in
hand-made phyllo basket topped with chive and creme fraiche

Chicken Salsa Tortilla Spoon
five spiced crushed chicken with oven charred salsa
topped with avocado jalapeno crumbs on edible tortilla spoon

Cremini Mushroom Risotto
pan roasted cremini mushroom filled with chianti stained risotto
carmelized pear and bleu cheese

FROM THE APPETIZER LIBRARY

Oyster Shooters
baby oysters with vodka, horseradish, cocktail sauce
tabasco, lemon and chopped parsley

Shades of Green Crudites Box
small white box filled with shades of green crudites of
endive, green bean, snowpeas, green pepper,
green zucchini and asparagus
green goddess dipping sauce

Spanakopita
wilted spinach and feta
wrapped in golden phyllo pastry

Grilled Shrimp Cocktail Chimichurri
grilled shrimp and chimichurri sauce in small cosmo shot glass

Tiny Tapas Tray
herbed bread sticks, skewer marinated olives, bocconcini
rosette of prosciutto and roasted peppers
carafe of olive oil balsamic

Drunken Tomato Zatar
small black cube filled with currant tomatoes and splash of vodka
dusted with zatar spices

BEGIN
Soup and Salad Dynamic Duo
Caprese stack of burrata cheese, heirloom tomatoes,
basil and aged balsamic with
the perfect sip of smokey tomato soup
grilled smoked cheese and sun-dried tomato pesto panini

MAIN
The Love of Beef
Guinness-braised English cut beef short rib
beef tenderloin medallions
wild mushroom demi glaze
mashed potatoes and haricot vert bundle

Grilled Black Cod
fresh Pacific black cod on a bed of
white bean tomato stew with spinach
haricot vert bundle 

INDULGE
The Love of Cookies and Strawberries
hazelnut shortbread, florentine brownies, coconut macaroons
sugar heart cookies and thumb print cookies
chocolate-dipped and plain strawberries

Sticky Toffee Pudding
petite pyramid sticky toffee pudding topped with spun sugar with
creamers of creme anglais and caramel sauce

Demi Tasse Tiramisu Chocolate Cup
espresso soaked sponge layered with mascarpone cream with
chocolate chunks in small chocolate espresso cup
dusted with cocoa

Dark Chocolate Truffle Crocumbouche
dark chocolate ganache with hazelnut praline covered with
dark chocolate formed into a crocumbouche tree

Vanilla Bean Rice Empanada
arborio rice poached with vanilla bean and mango puree
wrapped in a crispy tortilla dusted with cinnamon sugar

The elegant tent designed as a forties supper club
Dance floor with fabulous custom-designed crest
Deco-inspired detail

The Love of Beef
An exquisite cake fit for the Vanderbilts
First dance!
Here's to making your wedding day fabulous and delicious! Check out our Pinterest boards for more inspiration.

Valerie and Sue's wedding photos by Paul F. Gero Photography
Dennis and Kevin's wedding photos by Will Henshall, Brilliant Studios LA

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  • FOOD is my passion. I have FUN with my team and my clients and I LOVE what I do! For me, it really is all about FOOD, FUN and LOVE!
  • Our Mission... To create Fabulous Events & Delicious food for an Exceptional Experience
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Pauline Parry

Founder Good Gracious! Events

About Pauline

Educated in the prestigious British hotel and restaurant management tradition, Pauline is the renowned and highly sought after founder and president of GOOD GRACIOUS! Events. Professional event planners, private clients, and corporations - both nationally and internationally - seek out her innovative expertise and imaginative concepts.


GOOD GRACIOUS! Events was established over three decades ago and is an award-winning full-service LIFESTYLE food and beverage company that has earned the trust of a diverse set of clients and has a reputation for being a trendsetter in producing unique, quality and fabulous presentations in all aspects of weddings and events.


Pauline has been inducted into the Catering industry Hall of Fame for Events and Weddings and has published a book called FOOD FUN LOVE Party Styles.


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Joanne Purnell

Joanne Purnell
Vice President

About Joanne

Joanne Purnell is a graduate of the California Culinary Institute and before joining GG! Events worked and traveled in England and Paris to gain working experience.


Joanne has been Chef de Cuisine for nearly 20 years at GG! Events and during this time she has won numerous awards including Chef of the Year. She has been published in magazines on various food topics including presentation, trends and all aspects of cooking and is a contributor for, “Inside the Recipe Box of Catering Chefs”


Joanne is an educator in the catering industry and is regarded as a leader. Today, Joanne is Vice President at Good Gracious! Events.


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