You've sent out the invites, you've ordered the champagne, and now to
the food! Party food needs to be that little bit special, delicious (of
course) but fun and fabulous enough to get people talking too.
If you can make your food about sharing, then the party is already in
the swing of things! Dishes with dips and skewers are ideal and
encourage people to graze and congregate around the food. Tasting plates
are a great idea too lots of little portions of different things for
people to try (a bit like tapas). And bowls dotted all over the house or
venue can encourage people to move around and socialise while they eat.
Give some thought to how you present the dishes at your party served in
glinting enamelled bowls, or pearlescent glass and china, even the most
simple food can look breathtaking. Consider using unusual vessels too
try shot glasses for soups or sorbets, or naturally grained wooden
platters for cold meats and cheeses. Stylish caterers such as "rhubarb"
food design or Alison Price use bespoke designed pieces such as
carousels or perspex trays, but any clever idea can strike the right
party note "�" little desserts in espresso cups? Or champagne cocktails
served from sprigged china teapots?
If the food is bright and beautiful of course, it hardly needs any
presenting. Colour is crucial think big bowls of jewel coloured
panzanella, towers of rainbow coloured cupcakes, or glistening pink lamb
with luscious yellow cous cous.
Cooking in front of your guests is a great idea for maximum wow factor.
If you are using caterers, for party catering ask them if they can
provide a noodle bar or a sushi bar your guests will love to watch the
chefs at work with their woks and sushi mats.
Another very easy way to feed people (and therefore a way to give you
more time to party!) is a hog or lamb roast. It's a great value way of
feeding large numbers of people and you hardly need plates either "�"
just fresh bread rolls and plenty of apple sauce or mustard. Even a
plain and simple barbeque attracts attention"�" put rosemary and scented
hickory chips on the coals to create delicious smokey scents that get
the mouth watering.
Desserts are easy to wow with "�" home made ice cream piled high into
knickerbockerglories, pastries stacked on vintage cake stands, or simple
bowls of chocolate mousses and luscious berries everyone's favourites.
Constructing your own puddings is a great trend for 2010 provide shot
glasses of jelly, fruit and cr?me anglaise, with cream and sherry syrup
to pour, and you can have your guests making their own tailored trifle!
And finally don't forget service style. It's a really important part of
the party atmosphere. Family service is a real winner where big plates
of carved meat and bowls of vegetables and breads and so on are put on
the table for people to help themselves. Rhubarb is popular for party
catering. Relaxed, friendly, and a surefire way to make sure the party
doesn't stop just because you"��re eating!