Catering: Garden Party

When a good friend put out a call for recommendations for caterers for her garden party, there were plenty of suggestions.

But catered “cocktail party” style events here in the Philippines are different to how they are back home.

There is usually a buffet table, or another serving station, and people eat a light or substantial meal, with cutlery, at a cocktail table or proper dining seating.

What my friend was looking for was an event with circulating canapés, high quality, interesting, no sitting-down.

The idea of doing this appealed to me immensely, but alas I had no experience. But that’s exactly the type of challenge I love. How hard could it be? Thankfully, she was delighted that I offered!

Over the course of a few weeks, I proposed a number of canapé courses with different options for each course. Some veg, some light, some substantial.

I loved thinking about how to serve them, and how to keep multiple courses for 50 guests coming out of a domestic kitchen.

The planning went for weeks, the preparation spanned many days, and of course I had help. Finally, on the day, all the ingredients and semi-prepared dishes were boxed up and we set off for my friend’s house.

I waited and waited. Getting the timing right was worrying. There were a few guests, but enough to start? I pushed out a few platters of the first courses. And waited.

And them, BAM! Suddenly the garden was full and, along with 2 kitchen helpers and 2 wait staff, I was pumping out the courses, taking photos before they went out, and chatting with the many friends who dropped by to say hi.

Once the last course was out, I briefly joined the party, before heading home, exhausted but exhilarated. It had been a success!