Food & Wine Classic in Aspen: Great Ways to Serve This Summer

I'm the luckiest duck. I just got back from the 2011 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen as a guest of the nice folks from Plastics Make it Possible. Every major chef, food star, foodie, winery, and liquor brand was there. The weekend was all food all the time! I sampled, tasted, photographed, and talked food for 48 hours straight. Serving all of that food and drinks on location is not unlike serving for a party that isn't in your kitchen. You really have to be creative with both food and the drinks to keep the hot food hot and the cold food and drinks cold. You also need to deal with interesting and unique serving and of course, the clean up. Here are a few of the better ideas I saw:

PLASTIC DISPENSERS ARE PARTY PERFECTFrontgate Plastic Beverage Dispenser $99.50

I saw lots and lots of signature drinks being served. It is simply easier when hosting a large crowd to offer a signature drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and make it self-serve so you do not have to play bartender during the party. I've been using dispensers for quite a while and have long preferred the plastic ones to the glass dispensers.... mainly because the plastic is lighter and I don't have to worry about breakage! I store them in a plastic storage bin wrapped in plastic wrap to keep them clean. That way, I don't have to wash them before I use them next. I liked this particular plastic beverage dispenser from Frontgate because of the looks- but also because it has an ice chamber on the top and bottom to help keep drinks chilled. Less ice = nice. Less work for me!

WHO SAYS PLASTIC ISN'T ELEGANT?

DuraClear Glasses for Outdoor Entertaining from Willians-SonomaI am a big fan of serving drinks in a glass but there is always going to be breakage- which not only is dangerous, it is very inconvenient. I don't know about you, but I don't really like sweeping up glass in my party frock. These days, you can get the look of crystal without the fragility with plastic wine or cocktail glasses. I saw these glasses at the show and thought they were glass until I picked one up. Better yet, with these, you can put all of your dirty glasses in a plastic garbage bag and wash them the next day after the party. Whew.

My new friends at Plastic Make it Possible would like to make it possible for you to have some of these gorgeous items valued at $500 to make your summer entertaining more beautiful and more fun! Just follow the link and enter to win... The contest ends July 8, 2011.

ENTER THE PLASTICS MAKE IT POSSIBLE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING SUMMER SWEEPSTAKES

Wishing for Wimbledon? Host a Lawn Party, British Style

I just got back from visiting friends in the UK and I got a good dose of polo, British pub food and culture while I was there. Everyone was gearing up for Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world which started yesterday at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The Wimbledon buzz inspired me to plan a Lawn Party.... British style!

About Wimbledon

Some of the traditions of Wimbledon have been in place for 100+ years! Wimbledon is played on grass, so even if you don't have access to a tennis court, if you have a patch of grass, you can host this great summer get-together. The women's final is on July 3rd and the men's final is on July 4th. What could be more appropriate than an all-American win on British soil on the date we celebrate our country's Independence?

The Invitation

Since a strict all-white dress code is in place for players at Wimbledon, it's always fun to stick to an all-white theme for the party. Ask guests to wear white attire and mention that lawn games will be involved. I always like to start this party late in the afternoon or early evening, after the temperatures have dropped slightly. A 6pm start time will give you several hours of daylight for games during the summer. White linen paper or card stock is just right for your party invite. A casual, handwritten note (very old school) is perfectly acceptable for this casual gathering.

The Party Menu

Wimbledon Strawberries and Cream

There are a couple of traditions at Wimbledon that you are a must for your party menu. Strawberries and Cream are a Wimbledon staple so dessert is going to be easy! In England, cream is always single or double cream and it is difficult to find the English version in the US. If you want to make it easy on yourself, just get some really good vanilla ice cream, let it melt until it pours. Pour some cream in the bottom of each dish and fill the bowl with strawberries. Serve with a pitcher of the cream for those who want extra. Make sure to get extra fresh and really delicious berries....  Try Driscoll's Berries. Always fresh, always reliable!

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Pimm's Spritzer

Another staple at Wimbledon is a Pimm's Spritzer. Pimm's is to Wimbledon is what the Mint Julep is to the Kentucky Derby. I love a good Pimm's Cup. Pimm's is a gin based liquor and it's so refreshing on a summer day. The Pimm's Spritzer. Use my Pimm's recipe for this or add ginger ale in place of the lemon-lime soda. Add 1/4 cup of chopped fresh fruit with chopped celery and cucumbers if you want the traditional garnish.

Another great British beverage is the Shandy. A Shandy is half lager (shown below) and half lemon-lime soda. Believe me, I was a skeptic but it's delicious and refreshing on a summer day!

British Pub Food

Your menu can include traditional British Fish and Chips, and mushy peas. Or, something simple like sandwiches and crisps (chips). or Cornish pasties... easy to make ahead and serve room temp at party time. Mushy peas are just green peas that are slightly mushed up with a hint of olive oil, mint, and a little lemon juice. Maybe an acquired taste--- but very British. I really like them:)

The Decor

Since the mood for this part is elegant, you can use simple decorations like candles in glass containers. I put sand in the bottom of the glass and then add one pillar candle to each and place these around the space. If you want a DIY project, you can get small mason jars, add a little sand to the bottom 1/4 of the jar and add a votive or tea light. You can hang these anywhere you need a little ambience. They won't offer much light but are very pretty! A dozen mason jars at Wal-Mart is under $10. 

I like to set up a viewing area close to the games so guests can watch the competition. Set up lawn furniture in clusters and include a tray or a container of drinks close by. Fill large pitchers with ice water and float lemons or cucumbers in them so that guests can serve themselves. If you don't have enough lawn furniture, you can ask guests to bring a lawn chair or you can buy large 10 or 20 gallon plastic buckets for about a dollar at Lowe's or Wal-Mart. Turn them upside down and viola, you have seating! Granted, it's not the most comfortable seating, but it really works.

The Entertainment

This party starts with the lawn games so if you don't have access to a tennis court, set up a badminton net instead. Since croquet is also played at Wimbledon, you can also set up a croquet course in the backyard or at the park. Other fun lawn games include horseshoes, bocce ball. or lawn bowling. The game I came to know in Chicago as "baggo" is also fun for a lawn party. I always find lots of great lawn games at Target during the summer. Set up your game course in whatever green space you have. If the party is in the late afternoon, I like to string little while lights all around my game course.

This is a great summer evening party theme... try it for a rehearsal dinner or engagement party, a girls night out or guys night out  party, a neighborhood party, family get-together, or anyone's birthday party! You can make it kid friendly or invite the adults only, but no matter who attends, my Summer Lawn Party is perfect for any occasion!