By Great Performances

 Holiday season is right around the corner—but don’t worry, there’s still time to plan one! Engagement is everything, and our team of event experts have given us the scoop on trends that are sure to delight guests and create an extra buzz at your event.


Personalization

Branded food and drinks have always been popular, but in this age of the #selfie, consider letting your guests put their faces on cocktails!


Chef Engagement

Interactive stations are always a hit. Guests enjoy watching chefs work their magic and getting a dish that’s freshly made for them. From freshly shaved cheeses to pizza by the inch or a carving station (we can do meat or vegetables!) to the dazzling artistry of the Chef’s Palate (pun intended), which can be savory or sweet.


DIY Food Stations

Guests enjoy self-service options, particularly those that include a fun display. From pretzel trees to fresh-from-the-toaster pastries and a pastry filling station, these provide fun, quick opportunities for guests to have a hand in preparing their food.


 

By Chef Saul Bolton

When I think about “the perfect meal”, it really rests in knowing your guests. After all, a perfect meal, like beauty, lies within the eye of the beholder. It starts with listening to and observing your friends and loved ones and using that information to come up with a menu and a plan.

The success of the perfect meal is largely predicated on the preparation before. I think this holds true for any event.

Chef Saul Bolton

Information Gathering

It seems boring, but it’s a critical component of planning a perfect meal. You want all of your guests not only to be able to eat the food you prepare, but to delight in it and to be satiated.

  1. How many people are coming? Ensure you have enough space, seats, and place settings for all of your guests and that you prepare enough food for everyone to be satiated.

  2. Who is coming? You want a mix of guests who will get along with and be comfortable with each other.

  3. What are their tastes, dietary preferences, and any potential allergies? You want everyone to be able to enjoy all aspects of the meal and not be afraid of an allergic reaction.

  4. Know what’s good now – think local, seasonal foods. This is the first step to ensuring delicious dishes as better ingredients more locally sourced and in-season tend to have better flavor.

  5. What style of the meal will you have? Is it a formal or informal meal? Will you have courses? Will you be serving family-style? Is there a theme? This step helps ensure a cohesive meal.

  6. Are you eating inside or outside? This will help determine the timing, temperature considerations, and meal format.

Once you’ve answered those questions, give yourself time to be inspired! Perhaps there’s a specific dish that captures your imagination. You can then build the rest of the menu around it. Or if there’s a theme, using local and seasonal foods can help inform specific dishes you’d like to prepare.

Prep Plan

Once you’ve built your menu, it’s time to plan your prep.

3 or More Days in Advance

  • Clean your dining, living, and eating areas – vacuum, dust, and wipe down surfaces to make sure your guests are comfortable.

  • Prepare your kitchen – make sure it’s clean and organized and ready for your meal

  • Assemble your plates, glasses and silverware and make sure everything is clean and in good condition

  • Prepare your cooking equipment and ensure you have the tools you’ll need

  • Review your menu and break out timing of each dish. Identify items that can be prepared in advance. It can help to prepare a day-of timeline along with cooking temperatures

1-2 Days in Advance

  • Soups, sauces, vinaigrettes and marinades – these can typically be prepared a day or more in advance. Store in air-tight containers, label (to avoid day-of confusion) and keep refrigerated.

  • Desserts – review your dessert and see which elements can be made in advance.

1 Day in Advance

  • Proteins – clean and portion your proteins

  • Vegetables – wash and properly dry lettuce, herbs, and vegetables. Store carefully to prevent wilting or drying out

The Guest Experience

It’s important to make sure you do as much as possible to make your guests feel the love when they walk in the door.

  1. Smell – it should smell great as your guests walk in the door. It could be flowers, garlic, or something roasting. Whatever you think would stimulate your guests’ senses.

  2. Sound – music is very important. It should reflect you, be appropriate to the theme of the meal, but it should not be too obtrusive.

  3. Sight – the dining area should be cared for, clean, homey, and fresh without looking as if too much energy has been exerted. It should feel natural. Flowers, produce, plants, and herbs make great accents.

  4. Touch – I love a special tablecloth and napkins. They add a textural as well as a visual component to the room.

  5. Prepare a drink – a toast and a little conversation are always great before dinner. Prepare an aperitif (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and some light snacks for guests to enjoy while you prepare the first course.

Planning these things in advance make it possible not only to cook a great meal and to create a great ambiance for your friends, but it enables you to participate in the evening and enjoy yourself. Which brings me to the execution of the meal without sweating.

THE PERFECT MEAL

Chilled Red Pepper Soup

Summer herbs, coconut milk, peekytoe crab

Salad of Shaved Broccoli & Summer Greens

toasted pepitas, lemon juice, oil

Oven Roasted Local Black Bass

ray’s tomatoes, summer squash, garlic, toasted breadcrumbs

 

Peaches with Amaretti Cookies

lightly whipped cream, crushed amaretti cookies

Click here for how I prepare my perfect meal.

By David Gordon, Guest Contributer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

David Gordon is the Wine Director for Myriad Restaurant Group. He oversees the programs at newly opened Batard, as well as any consulting operations that Myriad presides over. Currently, he has created the list at Acela, the Myriad run restaurant at Citifield. David has been featured in many publications over the years including the Wine Spectator, NY Times, Wall Street Journal, etc. He has led the sommelier service at La Paulee every year since 2000 where he presides over 60 of the top sommeliers from around the world at this Burgundian celebration.

 

SUMMER BRINGS US AN ABUNDANCE OF WARM WEATHER, FRESH PRODUCE AND MANY REASONS TO CELEBRATE. WARM UP YOUR PALATE THIS SEASON WITH THESE EXCELLENT SUMMER SELECTIONS, ACCOMPANIED WITH FOOD PAIRINGS. CHEERS!

CHATEAU DE FLEURIE, BEAUJOLAIS 2015- $20

Fleurie is one of the ten Cru’s of Beaujolais and the most aromatic and soft. Made with the Gamay grape, this light bodied red is better served slightly chilled.  It is great with burgers, barbecue and most summer picnic dishes.

 

JACQUESSON CHAMPAGNE CUVEE 740 EXTRA BRUT NV- $60

Jacquesson is one of the most prestigious Champagne houses, located in the village of Dizy. This cuvee is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Rich and creamy but with a laser focus, this is a Champagne to celebrate the summer with and worth the splurge.

 

MAS DE CADENET PROVENCE ROSE 2017-$15

Jacquesson is one of the most prestigious Champagne houses, located in the village of Dizy. This cuvee is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Rich and creamy but with a laser focus, this is a Champagne to celebrate the summer with and worth the splurge.A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, this light colored, refreshing Rose is from the Saint Victoire sub-region which is best known for Cezanne’s paintings of the Mountain in the area.  From a certified organic producer that has been in the region for seven generations. A great aperitif or with light fare.

PENCE RANCH PINOT NOIR, SANTA BARBARA 2016-$22

Pence Winery is part of a 200 acre working ranch. Winemaker Sashi Moorman uses organic grapes and minimal intervention to produce a medium bodied, delicious Pinot Noir from this site.  A flexible wine with many foods including poultry, fish and lighter meats.

 

YOU CAN FIND THESE WINES AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: