Throwing a dinner party, although always fun, but any previous host or hostess knows that it can be an extremely stressful and daunting task.  A detail as small as the music could take your party from fab to, well, not so fab.  That's why we've taken a few minutes to write down some tips to help make your next dinner a success!

1. Choose your guest list carefully.  Do you really want your conservative, slightly-uptight boss sitting next to your 35 year old college-Sorority Sister who still goes out to celebrate "Thirsty-Thursday"? 

2. Create a signature cocktail.  Don't go with something too strong- you don't want anyone falling off of their chair between the salad and entree courses.  Try to make it a seasonal drink. Maybe a Mint Julip on a warm summer night or a Hot Toddy on a cold winter evening.  

3. Prepare and appropriate playlist.  Think about the type of party you're hosting and the appropriate music to accentuate the evening.  I doubt anyone's going to want to jam out to "Livin' on a Prayer" while enjoying a cup of Lobster Bisque.  

4. Select an interesting menu.  Food can spark interesting and lively conversation during a dinner party so the menu is quite-possibly the most important aspect to the evening.  Check out our book, Legends in the Kitchen: Celebrity Recipes for a Cause. When diners find out they are eating Dick Clark's Cajun Corn Chowder Recipe or Betty White's favorite dessert to make, it's sure to provoke some good conversation! 

If you'd like to see more celebrity recipes, you can purchase Legends in the Kitchen: Celebrity Recipes for a Cause on Amazon.com.