NASHVILLE, TN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 25, 2006 -- America's small dogs are living the good life
as never before. Extravagances once reserved for people -- spa visits,
weekend getaways, designer bags and gourmet meals -- are now readily
available to America's small dogs. So, what's next for these beloved best
friends and their devoted owners? Spectacular, invitation-only doggie
dinner parties, for two-legged and four-legged guests, alike.
According to celebrated caterer, Alan Dunn, owner of Los Angeles-based Tres
L.A. Catering, throwing doggie dinner parties for good friends, and their
dogs, is one of the hippest, fastest-growing trends in entertaining. And
why not? A survey conducted by Cesar® Canine Cuisine, a line of gourmet
dog food catering to small dogs, revealed that 60 percent of the owners
prefer to dine at the same time as their dogs. And, 68 percent of the
owners surveyed reveal they would rather treat their dog to something
special before pampering themselves. The doggie dinner party trend
combines both these desires -- sharing meal time with canine companions
while pampering them -- in a fun, fabulous way.
"Like any party, the success of your doggie dinner party is in the
planning," said Dunn. "Just because the party is for your dogs, doesn't
mean you should let it go to the dogs."
"How to Throw A Divine Doggie Dinner Party"
For tips on planning and throwing a successful party, Dunn recommends
consulting the "Cesar® How to Throw a Divine Doggie Dinner Party" online
guide, which can be found at www.cesar.com. Subtitled, "Everything You
Need to Know to Create an Evening of Fun for Your Pals and Their Pooches,"
the online guide is downloadable and is full of practical advice, creative
tips and fun ideas for the ultimate canine celebration. In fact, much of
the how-to information offered in the guide served as the inspiration for a
recent star-studded doggie dinner party in Beverly Hills that was hosted by
Cesar for celebrities and their small dogs.
The Cesar online guide suggests first creating a theme -- anything from a
national holiday, to your favorite time of year or your dog's birthday can
serve as inspiration. Once a theme is chosen, it's time to make a great
first impression with a high-impact invitation that brings your theme to
life. In addition to the typical "who, what, where and when," the guide
recommends all other must-have invitation elements, including requests for
food allergies or dietary restrictions -- both for dogs and their owners,
as well as any dress code requirements: formal, casual or in costume.
With the invitations underway, it is time to plan the menu, which is "the
heart of any dinner party" according to Dunn. The "Cesar® How to Throw a
Divine Doggie Dinner Party" online guide recommends putting an interesting
spin on the menu by choosing complementary main courses for the dogs and
their owners. Cesar Canine Cuisine offers 15 gourmet flavors like filet
mignon, pork tenderloin, braised chicken with garden vegetables and
porterhouse steak, providing many menu options for the creative and novice
chef alike. In addition, special seating arrangements should be made, such
as low tables and comfortable ottomans for seating, so dogs and their
owners eat together.
"Everyone should sit down and enjoy the dining experience together, and
matching the main meals of people with those of their pets is a completely
new way to enhance the bond amongst guests and the intimacy of the party,"
said Dunn.
While eating may be the main event at a dinner party, it's important to
keep guests and their small dogs occupied from the time they walk in the
door to the time they leave. The "Cesar® How to Throw a Divine Doggie
Dinner Party" online guide offers great entertainment ideas, from ice
breakers to party favors, for making the party memorable. Consider some of
these top suggestions to be shared by best friends: palm and "paw"
readings, pedicures and "pet'icures", a do-it-yourself dessert table and
more.
Spotting the Trend
American's love their small dogs; in fact six out of ten of the most
popular breeds today are small dogs. Because of their size, small dogs can
go anywhere and everywhere with their owners, and frequently do, thus
elevating their status from pet to companion.
Cesar Canine Cuisine has long recognized the unique relationship between
small dogs and their owners and spotted the dog dinner party trend early.
The "Cesar® How to Throw a Divine Doggie Dinner Party" online guide is
just one example of the brand's vision and commitment to helping small dog
devotees give their dogs different experiences.
"At Cesar, we're dedicated to creating opportunities for dog owners to
celebrate their small dogs in big ways," said Anne Herrington, brand
manager for Cesar. "We're looking forward to hearing about divine doggie
dinner parties from coast to coast. These get-togethers are all about
bringing good food and best friends together for a good time."
To view and download the complete "Cesar® How to Throw a Divine Doggie
Dinner Party" guide, visit www.cesar.com/events and click on the "Take Your
Dog to Dinner" section.
About Cesar® Canine Cuisine
Cesar® Canine Cuisine helps you show your small dog how much you love and
adore him/her. It is an indulgent, highly palatable and premium-priced
gourmet food for small dogs. CESAR® Canine Cuisine is available in a
variety gourmet flavors and caters to the special nutritional needs and
sophisticated tastes of smaller dog breeds.
About MASTERFOODS USA
Masterfoods USA, the United States food, snack and pet care operations of
Mars, Incorporated, is one of the world's leading food manufacturers. The
combined food, snack and pet care segments are a symbol of excellence for
quality brands with more than $5 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in
Hackettstown, NJ, Masterfoods USA employs more than 7,000 associates in the
United States, with 14 manufacturing facilities nationwide. The company
owns some of the world's favorite brands, including M&M'S® Brand,
SNICKERS® Brand, UNCLE BEN'S® Brand, PEDIGREE® Brand Food For Dogs,
Cesar® Canine Cuisine and WHISKAS® Brand Food For Cats.