Eat Your Heart Out: Go Family-Style at Your Next Event

                                                                                                                                     Photo & Recipe: Buttermilk Mac 'N Cheese, Six-Course Dinner

                                                                                              Photo & Recipe: Rosemary Lamb Chop Popsicles & Mint Gremolata, KissMySpatula.com

                                                                                                                                                                          Photo: GreenWeddingShoes.com

                                                                                               Photo & Recipe: Homemade Blueberry Tart With Lemon Zest, CreatureComfortsBlog.com

Good food brings people together.

One of my favorite ways to break the ice at a party (for myself or a client) is to give guests the experience of "breaking bread" at the table--together. I find that infusing this more casual service (even at the most formal event) often erupts into full-fledged feasting and toasting at the tables.

Whether you choose to go full-on "family style" (at your next affair, or holiday meal)--or, you opt to combine traditional service with "family style" elements, give your nearest and dearest a chance to "pass the potatoes"--trust me, it's always an instant-conversation starter.

Prior to your guests' arrival, create a warm welcome by setting tables with bread baskets, multiple salads, charcuterie and artisanal cheese boards, and creme-topped shots of soup. Follow with either family-style proteins (loving these Rosemary Lamb Chop Popsicles with Mint Gremolata served on wood carving boards) or go with traditional entree service where guests order their protein, and then, when the plates arrive, have the servers place sides-to-share (think: Steakhouse). Bubbling cauldrens of Buttermilk Mac 'n Cheese, roasted root vegetables and steamed haricots verts, roasted brussel sprouts and chive-and-garlic smashed potatoes all scream "pass me"--don't they?!

If you're afraid to stray too far from the traditional, you can add the family-style touch with desserts: cookies, tarts, cakes, pies, pots du creme--and pots of coffee, to boot.

Ready for that midnight snack?

New Year's Eve: Go Ahead, Indulge Yourself!

Table Designed by Amber Karson Events

Whether you're out painting the town red (or gold), or snuggling up at home to watch the ball drop, I am a huge fan of forgoing the "rules" on this one night of the year. So, for my last post of 2011, here's a countdown of "rules to break" when ringing in new year--and indulging yourself one last time before your real-life resolutions set in. 

  Miu-Miu Glittered T-Strap d'Orsay Stiletto

NYE Rule: Wear your highest heel

Even if you're taller than your date, leave the flats at home! New Year's Eve gives us an instant permission slip to pull out those five-and-a-half inch sparkly stilettos (like this Miu-Miu pair that makes us swoon!).  And, psst! we've heard from our brides that popping a few Advil keeps the swelling down. Go ahead, dance all night. New Year's Day is a Sunday this year (which means that some of you have an extra day--Monday--to start feeling your toes again.) 

NYE Rule: Mix Metals!

Never mix silver and gold? Whoever made up that rule is seriously stuck in the past. Not only am I an advocate for mixing up metals, textures, designs on NYE, I am all for it all year through. The trick is to edit. Group metals together in stacking rings, bangles or necklaces--but chose one place to do it or you'll risk looking like a human Christmas tree (and, we all know that holiday was last weekend!) I am dying to do an event with the color palette above--silver, gold, rose gold, platinum, titanium--bring it on, baby!

                                                                                              Designed by Amber Karson Events

NYE Rule: Mix DRINKS!

Who says you have to drink Champagne "straight-up"? Yes, bubbly is amazing as it is. But, it's totally okay to punch it up a bit. I'm all over this "Smirnoff No. 21 & Champagne Sparkler" on Delish.com that adds Vodka to the mix--it's totally pretty, it's pink, and it sounds like I could have more than one.  Looking for more inspiration? Check out fifty recipes for champagne cocktails here.

 Designed by Amber Karson Events

NYE Rule to Break: Eat Dessert (First)

Calories don't count on December 31. So go ahead, go for seconds on the smores you can't stop staring at on the dessert buffet. If you're in New York and putting together a dessert buffet of your own, Chandelier highly recommends you stop by Baked in Red Hook for decadent desserts straight out of Brooklyn (they ship!), Lulu's Cake Boutique in Chelsea for chocolate-covered twinkies; and Levain Bakery on the Upper West Side for the most delicious cookies known to man. Looking for seriously delicious recipes? Hit up Serious Eats: Sweets.

Wishing you all of the indulgence you can find this weekend--and health, wealth, happiness and best wishes for the New Year! May your dreams come true (and your feet, recover).

                                                                                                                                                                              

Dreaming of a White (Edible) Christmas

This photo from a recent Domino spread served as the inspiration for the dessert buffet at a recent Chandelier Events holiday party. The pastry mega-talents at Thomas Preti Caterers took my vision and whipped up a "Snowed In" dessert winterscape beyond my wildest White Christmas dreams! Here are some of the highlights (and a few inspirations that you can pull off in your own kitchen this weekend):

• Croquembouche Christmas Trees: Hand-made meringue and the traditional profiterole spun with caramel & sugar (see photo), this customary French Wedding Cake doubled as snowtipped trees on our display.


• Individual Fondue: Guests were served gourmet hot dark and white chocolate sauces in their own ramekins, and selected fruits, pretzels, marshmellows, pound cake, and brownies in a gift-box display (brilliant idea from the chefs at Thomas Preti that wowed guests ... and curbed double dipping).


• Chocolate Pudding Shots: Even Jello chocolate pudding can be dressed up by serving it in shot glasses! Top with fresh whip cream (cool whip will do in a hurry!) and top with a dust of cinnamon.


• White Chocolate Raspberry Trifle: Serve your own spin on this layered dessert with vanilla pudding, raspberry sauce and chocolate cookie crumble in martini glasses!

** A big dose of delicious gratitude to Jessica, Jen and the amazing crew from Thomas Preti for their fabulous, fresh ideas...and top notch service.

Check back soon. More photos to come!