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As summer is here, we wanted to share our recipe from our Food, Fun, Love book: Chilled BLT Soup! Scroll below for the recipe!



1/2 cup shallots
1/2 cup white onions
1 teaspoon garlic
3 slices bacon chopped plus 3 slices of bacon to make bits for topping
11/2 cups fresh tomatoes cut into medium cubes
11/2 cups canned tomatoes
2/3 beef broth
1 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup tomato juice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Salt and pepper
1/2 head of romaine, shredded small and fine
1 cup olive oil for garnish
2 teaspoons granulate sugar

In a heavy duty pot, saute the bacon on high heat until cooked and golden brown. Add the onions, shallots and garlic and cook until translucent and brown. Add tomatoes and cook until the mixture reduces and becomes thicker.

Add the beef and chicken broths, tomato juice and tomato paste. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, place the mixture into a processor or blender to puree. Check seasonings and add a little sugar if needed.

Meanwhile, lay the remaining 3 slices of bacon on a sheet pan and bake in a 350 degrees oven for 10-15 minutes or until crispy. Strain all the fat off and place bacon on paper towels. When cool, crumble the bacon.

Serve the soup in demitasse cups with bacon bits sprinkled on top. Garnish with shredded romaine lettuce and drizzle with olive oil.




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We adored this spectacular design and we are thrilled this Santa Ynez Fall Fete is featured on PartySlate as a top event of April 2019!



“This dinner party pairs elegant cuisine with scenic desert vistas. Imagine feeling a cool desert breeze as you sample those oysters and other delicious culinary creations. Or sitting back after dinner with a cocktail in hand and a cozy blanket on your lap. Check out how the landscape, building, florals, and even the stationery are perfectly color coordinated. This is a perfect backdrop for a refined and relaxing event, while at the same time wows guests with amazing details and food.” — Paul, Senior Software Engineer"

Click here to see the complete list.  











Catering: Good Gracious! Events | Design + Planning: Percy Sales Events | Dessert Venue and Accommodations: Santa Ynez Inn | Dinner Venue and Accommodations: Sunstone Winery | Cocktail Venue and Accommodations: The Landsby | Rentals: The Tent Merchant | Sponsors: Alpaca Wraps: Asher Market | Calligraphy: Brown and Code Signs | Floral Design: Casa Blanca | Custom Key Chains and Menus: Cut It Lab | DJ: DJ Senor Amor | Craft Drinks and Bartending: Flair Project | Photography: Jenny Quicksall | Transportation: Jump on The School Bus | BevMo Santa Barbara: BevMo | Linens: Luxe Linen | Videography: Luxury Lifestyle Studios | Lighting: Spark Creative Events | Live Music Soloist: The Replicas Music | Desserts and Sweet Endings: The Sugar Philosophers
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Following a romantic ceremony and relaxed cocktail hour, guests found their seats on the lush lawn. Surrounded by towering trees with beautiful views of the ocean, the setting could not be any more beautiful!



Expertly designed by Alicia of Details Details, round tables were draped in blue linen, while the bridal party sat at a long family-style grey wash wooden table. Each setting featured gold rimmed chargers paired with gold rimmed glassware. The setting was completed with patterned blue china, topped with custom menus, brushed gold flatware, and accompanied by crystal chandeliers glittering above. We served a decadent plated dinner for all to enjoy! Guests had the option of Grilled Halibut, Beef Tenderloin Filet Burrata, or White Cauliflower Lasagna.

With full bellies, guests took to the dance floor to dance the night away! Thinking of the ladies, the couple provided sandals so everyone could comfortably dance. As a late night snack, we served crispy tater tots, grilled cheese sandwiches, and Kobe beef sliders.

Special thank you to Alicia of Details Details for including us in this fantastic wedding and Jana Williams Photography for capturing the details of the day!












Planning + Design: Details Details, Alicia Townsend | Photography: Jana Williams Photography | Catering: Good Gracious! Events | Rentals: Fancy Tables | Florals: Bloom Box Designs | Videography: Hoo Films

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There is nothing we love more than a wedding with a stunning view. Katie + John’s Gull’s Way wedding featured just this. Incredible views, romantic vibes, and stunning design.


In a rich luscious garden amongst the trees and greenery, dark wooden chairs lay in intricate rows, lined perfectly for guests to sit and enjoy the ceremony. With the vivid greens of the landscape contrasting the piercing blue sky, this al fresco wedding truly was a stunning visual display. Instead of a bridal arch, our couple opted for intricately designed vases of deep blue and white filled with a beautiful selection of ivory blooms.

Our bride looked stunning in a white fitted gown with floral appliques and an open back design while the groom looked sharp in a black tux. With the sound of a harpist playing in the background and the Pacific ocean as an unforgettable backdrop, our bride and groom said I do in front of their nearest and dearest.

Following the “I do’s”, guests were invited join the couple during cocktail hour to sign the guest book, indulge in delicious tray passed appetizers, and custom cocktails while seated at round tables draped in ivory linen beneath market umbrellas to keep cool from the sunshine. All the while a single guitarist played strings to add a relaxed element to the celebration.

Stay tuned, next we’ll we will share details of the reception that featured 180 views of the Pacific Ocean!



















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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!
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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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