Fandango Catering and Events Offers 6 Tips for Successful Summer Gatherings

In our continuing blog series, "Summer Entertaining," today we offer 6 tips for successful summer gatherings. 

It's summer and the living is easy! Or is it? Why do some people's summer gatherings always seem a hit? Read on for some ideas to help you create your best summer event this year.

Tip #1
Set out served cocktails and/or non-alcoholic beverages--Hands down, guests go for served cocktails and beverages over pouring something from a pitcher, carafe, or dispenser.  We also advise against any beverages outside unless you have a bartender and/or the beverages are in dispensers with spigots to keep bugs away.

Plus a line of served beverages looks welcoming and festive.  You can serve these before guests arrive and then when they arrive they can have something to drink, no waiting.

Tip #2
Serve little kids' juice boxes and milk boxes from a beverage tub with ice--Avoid having kids either pour from a pitcher (prevents spills) or get their drinks from the fridge, which would mean constant opening of the fridge.

While you're at it, have a kids' food and beverage area--a separate table or separate kitchen counter or area, with someone near to supervise if possible.  And have recycling and trash cans handy for the kiddos.

Tip #3
Speaking of kitchens, a kitchen island set up as a double-sided buffet is not an optimal arrangment because the kitchen, unless it's huge, gets too crowded; and whomever is in charge of the food will be rinsing or washing plates, glasses, etc., so it becomes too chaotic with people serving themselves too. A separate buffet table outside the kitchen is almost always a better bet.  Plus sometimes kitchen surfaces are so crowded with things that guests literally don't see all the food or beverages.

Tip #4
Always have a healthy option--So many people are diet- and health-conscious these days that it's always good to have at least one healthy option such as fresh fruit, fresh or roasted veggies, lean protein without a rich sauce, etc.  Other guests will also eat the healthy option if it's done right.

Tip #5
Buy a nice set of platters or paper (we like Caspari) or bamboo platters--The key word here is NICE.  Nothing ruins a summer event faster than putting out ugly, cheap, or very worn platters.  If you buy three or four serving pieces like this you can use them all year long and year after year. 

Which looks more appetizing and says "Welcome! Glad you're here!": luscious food on a cheap disposable tray or an obvious dinner plate (which is too small to serve from, generally) or the same food on a nice platter or serving piece?

Tip #6
Keep hot foods to a minimum or none--Two of the simplest and best forms of summer entertaining are either all cold or room-temperature foods or all cold or room-temperature sides with something grilled as the entree. 

Why turn on the oven or hassle with sterno for hot appetizers when so many lovely possibilities abound for summer foods served at room temperature?  Cool appetizers and sides with a hot grilled entree strike just the right cord if you must have something hot.

Enjoy!

Kristina

Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com