If you're a novice caterer or party planner and you make a party misstep, remember: it's not rocket science. If you keep a cool head, I'm sure you'll recover beautifully.
Let me ask you something. Do you remember your first party? I'm not asking about the one that they threw for you, but instead I'm asking if you remember the one that you threw for them? Because I do. I remember throwing my first party - like it was yesterday. It took place around Christmastime, in Detroit, in 1984.
It was quite the shindig. Let me tell you, catering and luxury event planning must have been in my genes at birth. Because somehow we successfully entertained 200 friends and family members and didn't know what in the hell we were doing. People are still talking about that party, which makes me laugh when I think about it. You know how it goes because we've all said it a hundred times; "If I only knew then what I know now."
What did we know about home entertaining?
Nothing. Nada. Zip.
Imagine having a party without a Party City store to go to, to make you look good. We had no fabulous and divine party place to go to for party supplies, on top of, we knew no real party tricks or anything. Yet, not knowing what in the hell we were doing, we still got everything right. What was a crying shame is, that after much fanfare and such a big success, it didn't occur to us (or anyone else) that we should start our own party business. I tell you, youth is completely overrated. You look good, but you're dumb.
As dumb as we were, we were something else - the three of us. Laura, Diane, and myself lived off campus, right at the edge of the Wayne State University campus. It was my idea to have the party. We all knew a boat load of people to invite, so keeping it contained and civilized was somewhat of a consideration. Although, Diane and Laura bumped heads all the time which quelled Laura's desire to get involved.
Oh boy, were we dynamo's. We began planning and shopping for the party 4 months in advance. Our landlords were shocked when they saw the house, stating that they didn't know that it could look so good. We had 3 full-size Christmas trees in the house and garland with white pin lights woven through the banister. Only holiday lights lit the house, along with candles galore. Guests brought us holiday ornaments, and I still use the ones I received that night even today.
When the guest arrived a junior hostess took their coat and politely asked them to sign the guest book. Next, they were lead to the beverage area where they were asked if they'd like a soft drink or a glass of red or white wine, or if they'd like a cold draft beer. The dining area was next; we offered our guests a turkey dinner buffet. Dessert was Christmas cookies, and homemade brownies and chocolate chip cookies with coffee or hot tea. Everyone loved it. They raved about how good the food was.
It was a wonderful night and a fun party. We danced and laughed, it was the best of times. About one week after it was over, I was having parties daily. Entertaining at home like that was fun for me. I invited co-workers over after work to help us polish off what was left in the keg. I'll never forget that party. And apparently, neither will anyone else that was there; like I told you, people are still talking about our party.
Secrets
Typically, secrets don't do anything but hurt people and you might agree. However, the great buffet entertaining secrets listed below are for all who read them - to help you achieve an evening (or a day of) easy entertaining.
I want you to look good and that's no secret. Promise me something. Keep this in mind: Your food will look unimpressive and boring if it's laid on the table, flat. I don't care how colorful your plates and accoutrement are or how many gorgeous flowers you've placed on your table to dress it up - flat is boring. Come up with your best strategies for creating various platter and plate heights and angles.
Your food has to look so good that it makes everyone want to salivate. Your platters should be so lush and chock full of food that it's an unspeakable thought to suggest that you will run out of anything. You'll want to use lavish amounts of decorating materials to amp up your varied heights and delicious food. I suggest that you use edible flowers, leaves, and seasonal items like pomegranates and ornaments if it's the Christmas holiday season.
Are you a candle freak? If you are, now is when you can go crazy. Tuck candles everywhere. And mix things up a little. Use candlesticks with tapers and votive candles. I prefer to go heavier on the votive candles for safety reasons.
Buffet Entertaining Secrets
Isn't it odd how, at a party, everyone ends up congregating in the kitchen? Like clockwork, it seems to happen every time. For better guest traffic flow put your desserts, coffee, liqueurs and set ups (cups, saucers, sugar, cream, etc.) on a separate table.
Whether you entertain once a year or are prone to do so at the drop of a hat, owning a few pieces of essential equipment will give you an edge and make entertaining so much easier for you. The basics include a chafing dish or two, a hot tray, classic white and ivory linens, a folding buffet table and a coffee urn/coffee maker.
- Chafing dishes - The best ones are dishwasher safe and have heavy-gauged chafing stands, and are made of solid stainless steel with lids that feature a high arc for easy handling. The 4, 6, 8, or 9 quart inserted food pan that comes with it can be used to preheat foods in the oven before you place it in the chafer. Maximize getting the best bang for your buck, only buy NSF certified chafers. **Don't forget to buy Sterno Brand Fuel for chafing dishes or Bakers & Chefs Safe Heat 6-Hour Chafing Dish Fuel.
- Warming trays - If you entertain often, you might want to invest in an electric warming tray. They're great to use for foods that are fully cooked and already hot. Warming trays are designed for keep-warm function only. For the budget conscious, occasional party host, substitute a warming tray for a Bakers & Chefs Wire Chafing Stand with half-size or full-size aluminum steam table pans. They're not as classy as an electric warming tray, but they get the job done.
- Folding tables - Commercial grade for indoor/outdoor use is your best bet. For the host who entertains a lot; buy a couple of 8' folding tables - along with a 6' table - and a 60" round and you probably won't need to rent any tables for your smaller gatherings. White linens - Three or four 54" x 96" tablecloths and a dozen or so 20" x 20" napkins will keep you out of the rental company showroom when you entertain a few close friends for a Friday night dinner.
Buffet Entertaining Ideas & Extras
If you're doing everything yourself, consider planning to purchase store and restaurant prepared hors d'oeuvres and entree items and personalize them by making your homemade sauce and salad dressing top secret recipes. If you're serving buffet food quantities for 100 people or more, this could come in handy.
To save time, pre-fold linen napkins - if not a day in advance, try to get them folded by the morning of your party. If you're using rental linens, the rental company will probably allow you to pick up your napkin order early, if you ask them. Be sure to view the video below. This guy is the Napkin Guru who is known as the King of Napkin Folding.
Combine any homemade dishes you might make with the party platters that you've added to your party "cheat sheet", like the HoneyBaked Ham that you may have decided to serve to lessen you party time line workload. This tip works well for early morning breakfast buffets.
When you're entertaining guests, you can't go wrong if you've invited fun, social people - you serve quality, delicious food that is displayed amazingly - you play great music - and as the host or hostess, you relax enough to be able to enjoy all your hard work so that your guests aren't the only ones having a good time.
Happy party and great entertaining to you!
Find more assistance and tips at Carlo At Your Service Productions/Contact Carlo.
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