Below are excerpts from a recent newsletter by author Eddie Osterland, where he shares some of his secrets of Power Entertaining:

From the Desk of Eddie Osterland
MASTER SOMMELIER (MS)

“When you ‘power entertain’ you position yourself as a center of influence – be it with clients, business prospects or others you want to impress.”   

Secret #7: Serve wines in pairs!  Design Power Entertaining events around side-by-side comparisons of different wines at various points throughout the evening.  Doing this adds an intellectual dimension to your event or dinner party.  It can also be a lot of fun, both for you and your guests.  For example, do a side-by-side blind comparison of a good wine ($15/bottle) and a very good wine ($35/bottle) and see how people distinguish the flavor of one from the other.   Or, serve a Cabernet from France and one from California to illustrate how geography influences winemaking styles and taste.  Or, serve up the same wine from two different vintages (years) to demonstrate the importance of age to a wine’s flavor.

Secret #15: As host, stay attentive to the needs of your guests throughout the evening.  Inattentive hosts, especially at business events, are (regrettably) more often the rule than the exception, in my experience!

Secret #18: Don’t Forget the Sound, Light and Magic!  No Power Entertaining event is complete without paying a little attention to stagecraft!  Consequently, feature music, maybe some mood lighting, if feasible, wireless mics (if it’s a big crowd) and a good sound system.  Play CDs or MP3 music selections between wine/food servings.  This adds festivity to the air.

Want to learn more about Power Entertaining?

In my new book, Power Entertaining: Secrets to Building Lasting Relationships, Hosting Unforgettable Events, and Closing Big Deals, (Wiley, 2012) I outline everything I know about business and home entertaining as the result of having spent more than 30 years in the food, wine and entertainment industries.  It really is the only guide you’ll ever need to help you entertain others with knowledge, skill, and confidence.

To order Power Entertaining today, please visit my website to purchase an personally autographed copy:  www.eddieosterland.com.  Or go to www.Amazon.com