RSS FeedWhen an event planner plans an event it has to be an Event.
And so it was when Peggy Marilley of Precision Meetings & Events hosted a party for her staff and clients. We designed an interesting menu for the event-savvy group presenting passed and plated items arranged around theme ingredients.
The first theme of the evening was Salt. As guests arrived, Lime Margaritas in Salt-rimmed shot glasses were passed; then tiny bamboo boats of Hand-cut Potato Chips dusted with Hawaiian Pink Salt; followed by ribbons of Crudo and Beef Carpaccio presented on Himalayan Salt Slabs; and finally Chocolate-dipped Caramels sprinkled with flakes of Fleur de Sel.
Lemon was next and that part of the menu included tangy Sgroppino cocktails, Lemony Lobster Salad, Grilled Lemon Chicken served on Rice with Lemony Herbs and bite-sized Lemon Cheesecakes.
Then savory and sweet items featuring Cinnamon like Moroccan Lamb served in individual Tangines, Cinnamon-Eggplant Phyllo Purses and traditional Cinnamon Churros were served.
The Minty theme included Grilled Shrimp Crostini with Mint Pesto, Curried Pear Samosas with Mint Raita, Taboulleh, and Chocolate-Mint Tiddlywinks.
Smoked and smokey themed dishes like miniature Half Smokes on Brioche Buns, Broiled Oysters with Smoked Gouda, Smoked Tomato Bisque with Mascarpone, and Rosettes of smoked Bacon filled with Apple and Dulce de Leche were served next.
Housemade Corn Ravioli with Beet Pearls got the Corn theme started and individual Corn Souffles, Barolo-braised Beef on Corn Polenta and hot-buttered Popcorn followed.
Pretty little Apple, Chicken and Cheddar Barquettes started the Apple-themed part of the menu that included miniature Apple “Pop Tarts”, Apple-Walnut Strudels and individual Apple Crumble Trifle Parfaits.
A crowd-pleasing Chocolate theme brought a terrific finish to the evening. Guests enjoyed tiny Batons of Dark Chocolate Brownies filled with Chocolate Ganache and Gianduja Cream and coated with Chocolate Spray; lacy White Chocolate Lollipops dusted with Curry Powder; rich Chocolate Pots de Creme in demicups topped with Whipped Cream and finally sweet, little Chocolate Mousse Mice.
The party had a lot of variety and was a lot of fun –exactly as planned!