Eddie Osterland never imagined becoming America’s First Master Sommelier. After graduating with a Psychology degree in 1968, he found himself in Hawaii as a waiter while attending grad school at the University of Hawaii. Little did he know his journey would begin there and later land him an opportunity to attend the most prestigious wine school in France, the Institut d’Oenologie at the Université de Bordeaux.
After 4 years of study, Osterland passed all three sections of the Master Sommelier exam on his first try. In 1978 at the age of 28, Osterland became America’s first Master Sommelier and began his career as a sought-after wine and food coach.
Now, in his book, Power Entertaining: Secrets to Building Lasting Relationships, Hosting Unforgettable Events, and Closing Big Deals from America’s 1st Master Sommelier (Wiley; Hardcover & E-Book, ISBN: 978-1-1182-6902-2; September 2012), Eddie Osterland shares all he’s learned about entertaining with wine and food as the result of a remarkable 30-year career in the food and hospitality industries. His book outlines dozens of power entertaining tips to help mold anyone into an effective host or hostess.
Osterland says “power entertaining” isn’t about “boozing and schmoozing clients.” Instead, it’s about “being able to entertain others in ways they will never forget, and that will make them want to do business with you again and again!”.
Whether at a corporate business event or a private dinner with clients, Power Entertaining advises readers on how to:
- Entertain clients with ease, class, and confidence, using good wine and food as the ingredients to build strong and lasting business relationships.
- Delight colleagues and friends by serving delicious pairings of wine and food that they’ll remember for years!
- Transform boring business meetings and sales functions into memorable social events that people will want to attend again and again.
- Use business entertaining as a business development and client relations strategy.
But that’s not all. Readers of Power Entertaining will also learn how to:
- Order with knowledge and confidence from restaurant wine lists.
- Select, taste and appreciate fine wines just as master wine tasters do!
- Close big business deals by ordering just the right wine for business occasions.
- Learn the basics of casual (but classy) home entertaining.
- Learn about fun and fabulous foodie websites.
- Entertain – at work or at home – without getting stressed out!
Power Entertaining is a must read for any professional who entertains others as part of doing their job. It is also an invaluable guide and roadmap for anyone who wants to bring new energy, creativity and excitement to entertaining friends and family at home!
