David Burtka is no stranger to an over-the-top, fabulous party, as seen on nearly every page of his new celebration cookbook "Life Is a Party: Deliciously Doable Recipes to Make Every Day a Celebration."]( http://www.amazon.com/dp/dp/153872989X/?tag=...
David Burtka is no stranger to an over-the-top, fabulous party, as seen on nearly every page of his new celebration cookbook "Life Is a Party: Deliciously Doable Recipes to Make Every Day a Celebration."]( http://www.amazon.com/dp/dp/153872989X/?tag=saloncom08-20). But if hosting isn't your thing, or makes you anxious and stressed, Burtka has you covered.
On "Salon Talks," Burtka shared his tips with Salon's Mary Elizabeth Williams, including this one he learned from Sharon Stone. "I worked for Sharon Stone once, and she got Kentucky Fried Chicken and she put it on nice china and no one knew. No one knew."
Another thing you can do as the host is have mini projects ready for guests to work on, if they ask. "When you go to a party, what's the one thing you say to the host? 'What can I do?'" Burtka said. "They really feel that they are a part of something. They've, they've created the night with you."
And if the food burns, it rains, the drinks run out, or anything at all goes wrong, Burtka assures, "As long as you're with family, with your friends, and you're having a good time. That's all you have permission to do."
Watch the video above to hear Burtka's best party tips for a clueless host. And check out the
full episode to learn how Burtka saved face from one of his biggest family party disasters.