Baby Shower Food & Beverage Planning Tips

Instead of ordering one large cake, consider ordering mini cakes or petit fors for each guest. These "petite cakes" can be filled with a variety of delicious custard or fruit filling. They are also a very light and delicious complement to any luncheon of buffet.



For anyone who wants to throw their own baby shower, I suggest choosing the area you want to spend the most time on and enlist family members or friends to help with the rest. Also, hire professionals if necessary. There are some things that often require more attention and skill, and professionals are there for that very reason.

You could possibly have each family member create a dish to bring to the shower, but if you are design focused then maybe you should have serving platters to match your theme ready to be used when the dishes arrive.

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Cupcakes 'n Cocktails? Absolutely!

Submitted by Regina Thomas-Dillard

For the past few years, there have been a surge of cupcake bakeries popping up all over the city of Chicago and metro area. One of my favorite Chicago area bakeries is THE BLEEDING HEART BAKERY (www.TheBleedingHeartBakery.com)which have all sorts of flavors infused into their delicate treats. (By the way, if you happen to stop by, tell owner Michelle Garcia, Regina sent you).

When we think about about cupcakes, we often think about serving them for tea parties, birthday parties, baby showers and the finishing treat for small receptions, but have you ever considered cupcake for cocktail parties? CUPCAKES & COCKTAILS, hmmmmm...what a novel idea! So, what that being said, here are a few ideas for Creating a Cupcakes and Cocktail Menu:


Creating a cupcakes and cocktails party menu is fun and very easy. Get creative with your cupcake varieties and cocktail pairings. Half the fun is in fincing new twists on existing recipes.

Tip 1: Creating the Right Mix

Pairing cupcakes and cocktails should be approached with the goal of creating a balance. Try to avoid mixing super sugary cocktails with super sugary cupcake flavors, since guests will be hit with a saccharine overload. Serve cocktails without sugar as well as the syrupy sweet ones to create a nice balance for guests to choose from.

Tip 2: Integrate Wine and Beer

Instead of only serving wild cocktails, consider including a mix of suggested wine and beer pairings with the cupcakes. Many wines have fruity, smokey or floral notes that pair very well with cupcakes, depending on the flavor. A rose with a hint of raspberry, for example, would pair splendidly with a cupcake that has a raspberry vanilla frosting.

Tip 3: Mixing and Matching Tastes

Wine and food pairings work for two main reasons. The first is that the wine and food have some similar thread within the palette that tie them together. The second is that the wine and food have distinctly different, but complimentary flavors that enhance the enjoyment of each other. Strive for this when creating the cocktails and cupcakes pairing menu.

Tip 4: Infuse Alcohol Into the Cupcakes (My Favorite!)

Who says you can't have your cupcake and your drink too? There are many great cupcake recipes that incorporate everything from Syrah to Kahlua to Bailey's Irish Creme to Guinness beer. A quick search will yield a plethora of delicious cupcake recipes that are delicious and also have a sneaky kick to them. Though most of the alcohol disappears during the baking process, a hint of the flavor remains. These cupcake recipes would be great paired with a cocktail or drink featuring the alcohol used in the recipe.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL CUPCAKE SHOP AND WE'LL BE SURE TO POST.

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Cheers!

EVENT PLANNING ON A BUDGET

EVENT PLANNING ON A BUDGET

So, you're planning a small (or not so small) dinner party and you're thinking, "that was a nice idea, but how do I pay for all of this?" If you consider tablesettings, catering, invitations, decors, etc., then you're already looking at a pretty hefty pricetag for your "little" soiree. Believe it or not, you can entertain quite simply and cut down on decorating expenses if you use what you have and know where to look for bargains.

When I was asked to create a whimsical, winter wonderland table theme for a small budget dinner party, I made a B-line to the discounts stores (think Dollar Tree). Discounts stores carry a huge variety of silk florals, ribbons, paper items, glassware and table toppers that, when combined correctly, can make anyone look like an event planning pro.

Try these simple decorating ideas:

1. Dress up a table using plain inexpenseive white table linens. If you don't have white linens, use the embossed-edged, paper table coverings that actually look like linen (www.FactoryCardOutlet.com). Use stylish, high quality gift wrap to create a decorative table runner or table topper. Key: Shop high-end department stores after the holidays for gift wrap at 60-80% off!

2. Patterned scrapbook paper or pre-cut paper placemats are fantastic, inexpensive alternatives to traditional linen placemats.

3. Instead of pricey fresh flower arrangements, try filling large glass vases or bowls with inexpensive, yet interesting filler elements, such as colorful glass ornaments, fresh cranberries (my personal favorite), feathers, or modern potpourri/decorative ball mixes that coordinates with the theme of your table.

4. When you're in a time crunch, look around your home and use what you have. Decorative vases from other rooms, small house plants or flower pots, and even unique sculptures or other decorative accessories can double as fantastic table centerpieces or party decór.
5. To add height to centerpieces or food tables, flip small bowls upside down and use them as pedestals for larger bowls. This will eliminate the need to buy brand-new pedestal bowls or cake stands.

Please let us know if this information was useful.

Cheers!

Regina

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