It’s often said that we eat with our eyes before our stomach: while it’s tempting to dismiss that old chestnut, think about it for a minute…
Whenever we pass a bakery window overflowing with enticingly plated tiers of colorful cupcakes, beautifully garnished confections, golden-hued pastries and delicately decorated truffles, our taste buds are instantly engaged. However, when passing a dusty storefront full of carelessly plattered cakes and dainties, our sweet tooth barely registers a pang.
In the end, it doesn’t matter if the dusty storefront houses the most brilliantly baked bonne bouche known to man, chances are, most people won’t ever know because they’ll never bother to step in and give it a try.
Try to keep this in mind the next time you’re entertaining at home (like New Year’s Eve, perhaps?): a few simple catering tricks could help transform your dinner or cocktail party a lovely, but forgettable get-together to an intimate, convivial event your guests will cherish for years to come.
A few basics that will make you feel (and look) like a party-hosting pro:
The introduction:
A wonderful welcome to any party is glass of something bubbly. Instead of lugging a big tray of glasses around, consider setting up a little table by your front door and festooning it with glittering garnish and glasses of Prosecco and sparkling water.
Creating an atmosphere:
You know your friends: use your judgment and carefully select tunes everyone will enjoy and set the volume at moderate. Dim the overhead lights and consider lighting candles on tables, windowsills and mantels; group seating in such a way so that conversation will flow and everyone who wants to sit will be able to. Also, remember to subtly clean up as the party progresses – crumpled cocktail napkins, plates scattered with crumbs and empty glasses with lipstick stains are an unappetizing eyesore.
Setting the table:
Creating a stunning table will make your guests feel pampered – and it’s much easier to do than you might think. With a little inspiration, a dash of whimsy and a few basic ingredients, you can whip together an artful table in minutes. Forget expensive bouquets of flowers. Simply grab a handful of vessels in contrasting sizes, colors and shapes: colorful water pitchers, inexpensive clear vases, large presentation bowls, tea pots, antique tea cups or even a few tin cans and fill them with mounds of fresh seasonal vegetables, from dried gourds to cherry tomatoes to key limes to habanero peppers! Group the vessels together in the middle of the table, making sure your guests have plenty of room for their plates, glasses and of course – elbow room. Seashells and colorful stones fill out empty white spaces on tables nicely. If you want to really kick things up a notch, place a mirror under your centerpieces and surround them with votive candles.
On the plate:
Think of your plate as a canvas for you to paint your masterpiece on. Keep food off the rim (the frame); aim for shots of complementary colors – nothing’s more boring than all-white food on a white plate; think about simple but beautifully cut herbs that will work as a subtle garnish and complement the flavors of the food; aim to serve up food with an interesting variety of shapes and textures – for example, an extremely tender fillet of fish will taste glorious on a mound of pureed garlic parsnips, but the plate will need a little something extra, like haricots verts to keep things lively and visually interesting; finally, take your food to new heights: stacking and piling items in interesting shapes creates an intriguing architectural element on your plate that will make your guests eager to dig in!
The farewell:
Treat your guests like Hollywood Royalty and give them each a swag bag on their way out the door. Fill dainty, tissue-lined bags with mini chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter blossoms or a small box of truffles with a personal note thanking them for attending.
