Fandango Catering and Events Offers Winter Brunch Tips

Fandango Catering and Events offers 4 tips for your winter brunch this year, whether the occasion is a get-together of friends, family, or neighbors; a shower; a housewarming; or another occasion.

Use color to lighten things up--As winter can be dark and dreary even in moderate climates, set a happy stage for your winter brunch by using light, pastel, or medium-toned rather than dark colors or holiday red. You'll be surprised how lighter colors (such as pale to medium yellow or blue), cream, or white brighten everyone's mood during a winter brunch. Decorative accent colors can be darker, even black (vases, figurines, candelabras, plates); but avoid beiges or khakis, which look washed out in winter light.

Create a simple menu--Trying to be fussy with umpteen dishes is often a recipe for disaster, so choose a simple menu such as a salad, a strata (Italian savory bread pudding, popular for brunches), and a dessert or two, with brunch beverages (see our next tip).

To make your winter brunch shine, set out creative coffee and beverage options.
Here are some ideas:
Spiked Coffee: Add 2 tbsp. liqueur (Gran Marnier, amaretto, Tia Maria) to mugs or wineglasses, fill with coffee, and add whipped cream
Bistro Coffee: Add equal amounts coffee and heated milk to mugs, then add a thin piece of chocolate to the mugs
Coffee and Spice: On trays next to the coffee offer bowls or cups of cinnamon sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon sticks
Mix Spanish cava with peach puree (can be peach baby food) for a bellini or orange or grapefruit juice--Many cavas are under $10 and their notes complement brunch drinks

Add space to your brunch serving table by using cake stands--This is one of a caterer's most important tricks: to add height to a serving area. By using cake stands you can then put flat trays or platters right up to (almost under) the cake stands, thereby gaining inches of space on the table. We often recommend this to clients who tell us that they usually serve off a kitchen island and no one enters their living or great room! An attractive table is less utilitarian than a kitchen island and can even be used to serve from both sides of the table if the table is not pushed against a wall.

With best wishes for 2011!

Upcoming:

• Beautiful AND Green Party Solutions
• Serving Individual Desserts in Style

Kristina

Kristina Ríos de Lumbreras, Ph.D.
Director of Sales and Operations
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
(281) 796-0841
www.fandango-catering.com