Mexican Art Nouveau
Discover the secrets to give the parties a distinctive, memorable meal in five easy steps. In this article, the first in a series of five shows how.
5 points for the perfect dinner
- Choose a theme
- Organize, organize, organize
- Think about 'your guests
- Pay attention to details
- Serve great food without effort
The first step in planning a memorable party to choose a theme or organizing principle around which to plan the night. The theme will be the glue that holds together the dinner. It will be easier to plan other details, because its theme suggests possibilities and provide a starting point for your creativity.
Sometimes the idea of a "theme party" becomes a bit 'of a bad reputation. People imagine having to show in a toga or something. However, a problem can be much more subtle and sophisticated than – But if you like the idea of dressing gowns, I say go for it.
Keep your eyes open for ideas – a topic can be anything. There are obvious choices, such as Christmas or someone's birthday. But why not plan a meal around one of the less famous festivals such as St. Patrick's Day or the summer solstice?
If you choose an international menu, see if you can get a bit 'more specific than just, say, French or Italian. Think of a theme of Moulin Rouge, or Art Nouveau, or the Italian Renaissance. Not enough to give a lunch of Austria, has sent out invitations to a "Night in Vienna". The food itself can not be substantially different in this way, but I can assure you it is much easier to remember.
You can take inspiration from other ideas too. The possibilities are endless. What to say:
- an object of inspiration (shells, a retro lava lamp)
- a color (yellow, red)
- a favorite novel or a movie (like water for chocolate, fat)
- a shape (square, round)
- a personality type (eccentric, sensual)
- a food (chocolate, corn)
- to (Versailles, the beach)
- a person or a historical event period (60 years of Shakespeare)
- an artist (Salvador Dali)
The stations are the key
Even if the subject can be anything should always be in season. seasonal food and the environment go beyond the simple, but very importantly, the fact that the tasting of typical products of the season and are better generally less expensive. Seasonality is investing your dinner with a sense of being in the right place at the right time. Who can resist the smell and taste glory lush, sweet ripe watermelon on a hot summer day? How about a cup of hot chocolate with whipped marshmallows after a day of skiing in Aspen. or it would be wonderful if it were changed? Of course not.
The question could also be as subtle or as general as "dinner of fall." But need an organizing principle that will influence your choice of all from food to music to set the table that will link all elements of his party together and gives you that sense of cohesion and well thought out flow.
Charlotte Rose is a passionate cook and creative party-giver. To find distinctive menus and plans for creating your own memorable dinner parties, visit her website at http://www.CharlotteRoseCooks.com
ORIZABA Palacio de Hierro (english)