Kitchen Essential

A buffet meal is ideal for occasions where there is to be a large number of guests such as christenings, weddings and similar gatherings. It may also suit a smaller gathering such as an informal supper with friends after the theatre or an evening at home where a dinner around the table might be more formal than you want to make it.

When planning the table arrangements and flowers or other decorations, think carefully about a colour scheme or theme to suit the occasion. For example, if the meal you are planning is to celebrate a silver wedding, choose white flowers with silvery foliage, silver candles or white candles in silver candlesticks and trimmings of furled silver ribbons. Silver serving dishes and silver cutlery will help to set the scene and if you don’t have these yourself, you can hire, or possibly borrow them. If the occasion is a christening, you will probably choose pink or blue as the predominant colour, and flowers should be delicate and unfussy.

The next most important decision is where to place the table. Continue Reading »

Planning — think first, then act

You start with a good idea.

If you only have a vague idea, turn to paper and pencil. A firm design concept can often develop from just a passing thought. There are three steps to achieving this. As a first stage, make a note of everything which you could do. The second stage is to mark what you would like to do on this occasion, and then outline how you intend to carry it out.

Write everything down, even the little trifling things which often get forgotten during preparations and then don’t get done at all. It is always worth writing out such tiny details.

If you are doing a complex table decoration it is worth writing out a timetable, counting down to the big day, with greeting your guests as the final item. Continue Reading »