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Table Cloth
This article is for people who are
always on the go, and do not have a lot of money to spend on entertaining.
What's wrong with this picture?
I used to serve delicious dinners with wonderful desserts;
(yes, I had checked around and, they were wonderful.) However,
I knew that there was something missing. After I began working
in Food Service, I had learned that it's the little things, that
complete the big picture.
It's not so hard
For instance, the use of doilies placed on a dessert
plate when serving a fine piece of cake. How about light colored
napkins, plain, or with a gentle pattern? Did you know that people,
generally feel that colored napkins, are more relaxing than white
napkins? Especially pastel colors.
Wow, it is painless!
Here are some simple suggestions;
Chill your glasses about one half hour before your guests arrive.
You may want to use a carafe instead of a plain pitcher. There
is less chance of spillage and, it takes up less room on the table.
Speaking of spillage, wrap a napkin neatly around your wine bottle,
covering the neck, so that it will catch the over pour.
Some quick appetizer ideas!
Did you know that a combination of finely chopped: garlic, fresh
parsley, and mushrooms mixed with bread crumbs, butter, and romano
cheese, can quickly be stuffed into stemless mushrooms and baked
at a low temperature until golden brown?
Okay, it's in the form of a (run on) sentence, but I am trying
to prove a point... How about some soft spread cream cheese with
fresh lox, beaten for about a minute? Serve it with bread sticks,
or water crackers. It is usually better for a lunch buffet, but
it will work in a pinch. If it is important that you make a good
impression, plan for "surprise" problems, otherwise,
problems will pop up. I am a firm believer in Murphy's Law.
These are simple adjustments, but many people I have spoken with,
complain that entertaining can cost alot of money. Well, I say
no. Start out small and simple. What I mean is, invite people
that you feel very comfortable with, i.e., people that you don't
have to impress, and wont be talking to the others about your
dinner, at the water cooler.
The small and simple of it.
When you replace dinnerware, do it one section at a time. Big
hint! Change your wine glasses first, then replace your water
and soda glasses. Wine glasses come first, because people generally
feel that wine is more important than water and soda, because
it is more expensive.
Remember, people see your glasses first, when approaching the
dinner table. They will feel confident in the meal that you prepare
when they see sparkling new glasses.
For the long run
When you can further update you dinnerware, change your
eating utensils. These step by step changes do not have to be
expensive, they can be the price of your regular dishware. The
secret is not to use them every day. You will always have that
that clean, finished look, right on hand. To add a professional
appearance to your dinner table, spruce up the place settings
and server ware.
Salad bowls that are made of new wood, (crystal is always preferred)
make your guests feel important, because you put alot of thought
into the salad. Sparkling clean serving trays, make a big difference.
Don't forget that you can dress anything up, by lining it with
a cloth napkin.
Place mats made of a wicker or cloth material are very nice.
Don't forget coasters, if you decide not to use a light colored
table cloth (dark colored table cloths really only work in Italian
restaurants).
As for a center piece, fresh cut flowers in a nicely decorated
vase, are always good. However, the vase has to be taken out of
the room when it is time to serve the meal, because the fragrance
will distract the palate.
This is very important to remember: When serving food, do not
choose quality over quantity. There is nothing worse than trying
to impress someone and just when you've pulled it off, you run
out of food.
Don't get me wrong, make sure the food is impressive enough and
has quality taste, but also make sure there is enough of it. Your
guests may try to comfort you and say that it's alright, if you
run out of food, but it's not, i.e. make your guests want to come
back.
Always keep an eye out for a good buy along the way. Don't wait
until you have to entertain, to find the right cocktail forks.
These are the best sites that I have found, for quality and price.
You are likely to find everthing you need.
Tabletops etc. Beautiful tableware from a network of 700 businesses.
The best variety of replacement crystal and flatware, online.
Dinnerware Depot, Inc.
Beautifully designed plates and accessories. You will find some
great deals here.
Ceramica Direct.com
Lavish designs, hand painted on to ceramics. These are specialty
items, for the table top.
Wholesale-Table-Linens.com
If you want to present a perfect dinner table, you must stop by,
they have terrific prices too.
Crate&Barrel
They have a wonderful line of accessories specifically for home
entertaining.
The Royal Store.com
Carries an exquisite selection of plain and printed doilies.
About the Author
Kim LaBarbera has worked in the food service industry for twenty
years, including Craft Service.
Her selection of desserts and coffee can be found at Delightful
Biteful http://www.delightfulbiteful.com
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