perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
How do you pull a party off in a matter of minutes? The answer is by planning and prepping everything weeks, months and hours ahead of time. The secret to successful entering is in the pre-work. There is actually a direct correlation between the amount of time you put into planning and the ease with which your party comes off. Knowing we wanted to
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Why is it when you want to take in every little minute the pace of life seems to ramp itself into a frenzy. In the past couple weeks my husband had what seemed like the last of an endless array of birthday celebrations, my baby graduated from college, and we held my sweet mom’s memorial service. All milestone moments. To help my youngest daughter
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food detective
I’m in the midst of a summer love affair with tomatoes. Can’t tell you how excited I get when I try something new and absolutely adore it. This happened at my husband’s surprise birthday breakfast for his entire office at our home. I usually don’t hire caterers. But because this party was at 8 AM, at my house, AND a surprise I knew I needed
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Well the last week was filled with activity. Monday night a dinner in honor of our visiting floral design presenters. Thursday morning a surprise birthday brunch at our house for my husband’s entire office. Saturday night- cocktails and a buffet for Dave’s actual 60th birthday. Three parties, three menus, three guest lists, three centerpieces...
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something in a snap
Whether you’re throwing a bash for thirty or curling up on the couch in your jammies most everyone who’s watching will want an academy award-winning appetizer for tonight’s festivities. But if the big event has sneaked up on you like it has me you might need something sensational in a snap. Try this bite with guaranteed glam. And while it ensures
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Certain times mark highs and lows. Last week was Dip Week on Living Dayton and they asked me if I would come do a spot on a Super Bowl dip. After I hit the send button on the email confirming my appearance I ran into the kitchen to tell my best friend and sous chef that I was going to be on tv. She wagged her tail and licked my face. You see when
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
My husband and I returned to Ohio on the eve of January 6th. We left 74-degree highs in the California desert for wind chills plunging past 38 below. It was a literal shock walking out of the airport. Thankfully we had someone picking us up. Can’t image the state of the cars left at the open lots of Dayton’s International Airport. The next day
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Last week I taped my first cooking segment on television… live. The folks at Dorothy Lane Market asked me if in two days I would do a piece on holiday entertaining for Living Dayton. I said sure thinking they would be coming to the DLM Cooking School. As it turned out it was at their television studio. I took a deep breath, focused all my nervous
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Thankfully Thanksgiving was a smashing success. The “oven ready” turkey I pre-ordered from Jensen’s that came cleaned, brined, seasoned, already in a bag, and in a pan, was seriously one of the best birds any of us had ever eaten. Not only did my daughter’s cute beau make a trifecta of scratch pies- sweet potato, pecan and buttermilk, he
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something in a snap
Can’t believe Thanksgiving is just days away. I am so excited to have a full house in the desert. But with that full house brings a lot of opinions. I’m being holiday- shamed into cooking an authentic entirely by scratch multi-dished meal. Really. Must we… Obviously “we” (meaning me) must. While I was sulking and pushing my cart up and down the
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Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation! read more →