“Inspired” Entertaining

Small Plates = Big Flavors

Written by Marcy Blum

Wherever you eat these days and whatever foodie publications you read, it’s clear that small plates are in vogue. Whether it’s mini burgers, tapas, or tasting menus– it’s obvious that teeny portions of lots of different foods are gaining popularity over the traditional three course, uber-hearty meal.

I love buffet stations for the variety of foods and colors offered. Featuring small tasting portions for an at home party is a natural. Your guests will likely find something they enjoy with so many foods to choose from. Unfortunately, traditional buffets can be messy, the food sloppy. The solution: Lots of pre-composed plates. Some examples.

Cheese Stations: The two wine and cheese tasting stations pictured above were put together for two different parties. The top, by Great Performances Caterers, was for a birthday; the bottom, for a glamorous wedding at Country restaurant we produced with Chef/Owner Geoffrey Zakarian.

These beautifully arranged plates are not your typical cheese trays. Because no matter how artfully you arrange the Brie or other cheeses, guests are left with remnants after the first wave hits the platter. The small plates eliminate the picked-over look.

Salad Station: Offering a less messy and more portable option, the vessels pictured above are various-sized glasses rather than plates. The Caesar Salad, Crudités and a Winter Quinoa and Squash Salad area all served in small, tasting portion sizes.

At BLT Market, I love the way this New York restaurant serves its baguettes in white paper bags as if they’ve just arrived from the bakery. The bread stays warm and it’s clear from the presentation that you don’t need a bread knife-just pull it apart. It’s a great accompaniment to the salads or cheese plates we’ve mentioned.

Desert Station: The dessert course can ruin a dinner party. Gargantuan slices of overly rich cakes, or syrupy- sweet “after-dinner drinks” are boring and tend to weigh down guests and the conversation. Spiked “dessert” milkshakes, as shown above, work as perfect endings.

Mini milkshakes, infused with just a touch of rum, coupled with an array of small, pre-portioned desserts (pictured above) end your party as sexily as it began!

Marcy Blum is an event planner and entertaining expert .

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