Party Panache, Advance Planning for Easy Entertaining

the Painted Apron

11 years ago

An artist, a communications consultant, an editor, a photographer, a journalist, an author, a stylist, a decorator, a jewelry maker, an antique shop owner, a librarian, a cook, a recipe developer, a writer, a movie extra, a swim team mom, an etsy expert, a vocal coach, a crafter, a DIYer, a party planner, and a psychologist…

What do all these people, who are many of these things, have in common?

They are Gulf Coast Bloggers!

And what, besides a computer, is the universal accessory for any blogger?

Cameras of course!

For our September meeting, I welcomed the Gulf Coast Bloggers with cameras

Beach decor

and a plate of Parmesan “camera” cookies

Because I am in and out of town, I have to plan in advance

I did a mock up of the buffet 2 weeks before, Jazzed up the Table Runner and chose the serving dishes

Everything on the menu could be prepared, or partially prepared ahead of time

Since it is still summer time on the coast I chose salads and lighter fare, and to appeal to all tastes, nothing was too spicy or exotic

The dough for the Parmesan Cookies can be made a week ahead of time

You can bake them 1-3 days before serving. I got the camera cookie cutters here

The Lazy Day Grape Salad can be made 1-2 days ahead, adding the Praline Pecans just before serving. You can make the pecans and keep them in your freezer for several months and just retrieve them when needed

I made the Baby Ham and CheeZee Bites 2 weeks in advance and froze them, reheating them in the oven the morning of the meeting. They can be served at room temperature and set out ahead of serving time

The Italiano Morsi literally go together in minutes and can be made up to one day before, wrapped and refrigerated

I bought the croissants in advance and froze them, just one less grocery item to get at the last minute.

Pimento Cheese was made a week in advance

The inside of the croissant was spread with a layer of strawberry preserves and then pimento cheese. I used small croissants and cut them in half. The sandwiches were assembled the day before serving, wrapped and stored in the refrigerator, ready to pull out and plate the next day

BLT Tortellini Salad, also had corn, asparagus and snap peas and was prepared the day before

Pinot Grigio vinaigrette* can be made up to a week in advance

The bacon was cooked 2 weeks in advance and frozen, and thawed the morning of the buffet

Just before serving I tossed the tortellini with bacon, chopped romaine lettuce and halved grape tomatoes

Chocolate Cashew Bars were for dessert, made 2 days in advance. These could also be made weeks ahead and frozen

There was a beverage station across the room

The breeze came up by lunch time and we were able to adjourn our meeting and eat outside on the porch

I was thrilled to receive some thoughtful hostess gifts

Look at this cute owl pin, isn’t it a hoot? Everyone is our group is uber creative…

Flowers and wine…. It was my pleasure to be the hostess, please come back anytime!

TIP: I purchased the majority of the groceries weeks ahead and froze them or stored them in the pantry so the only last minute items I needed were the fresh vegetables.

Things always take longer than you think they will, so do as much as possible beforehand

I wish I had made signs labeling the different dishes. Guests always appreciate knowing what they are eating…Next time I will make this show stopper, Sand Dollar Dessert

Here are some other easy party buffets, perfect for fall 🎃 brunch 🍅 and football 🏈

Halloween Beer Cheese Soup Buffet

Bloody Mary Brunch

Game Day Buffet

Life is short, have a party!!

If you are a blogger in the northern Gulf Coast area, we would love for you to join us! You can find more information about joining and meetings on our facebook page or website

Visit some of these Gulf Coast Bloggers at the following links:

Judy Sharing My World

Lyrical Pens

Reclaim Your True Emotions

Marjorie Searcy