The 'Epicurean Spielberg,' Mary Micucci, Shares Hollywood Holiday Entertaining Secrets

The 'Epicurean Spielberg,' Mary Micucci, Shares Hollywood Holiday Entertaining Secrets

Recipes From Famous Movie Premieres to Make at Home

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Along Came Mary Productions, known for throwing Hollywood parties for such blockbusters as "Spiderman" and "Batman," and Christmas classics like "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events," is again gearing up to produce holiday fetes for the biggest industry names.

Though Along Came Mary prepares holiday feasts for guests that number up to 18,000, like at Universal Studios' holiday party, company founder Mary Micucci says every celebration needs a homemade touch. She offers the following tips for at-home holiday success:

* "Details, details! Write them down in an outline of your party: from invites and decor ideas to music, holiday drinks and, of course, a festive menu."

* "Think themes: Try Snowmen, Reindeer or Toy Soldiers carried out in the invitations and decor or cut out as cookies with fun decorations, and celebratory desserts."

* "Combine old family holiday heirlooms along with newer decorations."

* "In planning a menu, prepare as much of the food in advance as possible and freeze."

Micucci, who was named the "epicurean Spielberg" by The Hollywood Reporter, developed these recipes for various Hollywood holiday parties.

MOLASSES COOKIES (From Universal's "How The Grinch Stole Christmas")

14 oz. unsalted butter 3 cups dark brown sugar 1 cup molasses 8 cups all purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground cloves 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger powder 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 whole egg 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract

Melt first three ingredients over double boiler. Combine dry ingredients in a mixer. Add butter mixture to dry ingredients slowly to combine. Add egg and vanilla at low speed; beat one minute. Place 2 inch rounds on parchment papered trays. Bake in preheated oven at 350 fahrenheit until firm and slightly dark around edges. Cool.

WASSAIL (From Paramount's "Lemony Snickets")

1 gal Apple cider 1 qrt Pineapple juice 1 qrt Fresh orange juice 2 c. Light brown sugar 1 tsp. Whole nutmeg, grated 10-18 Whole cinnamon sticks 3 Whole oranges, cut in half 25 Whole cloves 8 Stemmed Irish coffee mugs

In a large saucepot on low, heat apple cider, juice, and sugar. Bring to a rapid boil while adding 10 cinnamon sticks and grated nutmeg. Simmer for 15 minutes. Stick cloves into the skins of the 4 orange halves, placing them in even, linear rows. Turn off heat and add cloved oranges. Allow flavors to expand within the mix for 15 minutes. Using a peeler, zest (8) 4" orange strands from the third orange and set aside. Re-heat mixture and pour into decorative coffee glasses. Garnish each glass with whole cinnamon with orange strands twisted around it. Serve hot.

Hollywood's original cateress, Mary Micucci, established Along Came Mary Productions (www.alongcamemary.com) from the back of a Volkswagen Bug in 1975 to become the largest event production and gourmet catering company in the entertainment industry. Before "party planner" became a career path, the legendary Micucci set the stage for the event production industry by bringing "gourmet" to the catering business. Today, the multi-million-dollar-revenue- generating Along Came Mary caters to clients that range from Sony and Paramount to Cartier, Jaguar and Dom Perignon.

Source: Along Came Mary Productions

CONTACT: Alyson Dutch of BROWN & DUTCH PUBLIC RELATIONS, INC., +1-310-456-7151, for Along Came Mary Productions

Web site: http://www.alongcamemary.com/

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