The atmosphere of a celebration largely depends on the menu, since delicious food creates the mood. To make everything perfect, it’s important to decide in advance on dishes and drinks. The choice depends on the format of the celebration.
How to prepare a buffet
In this format guests help themselves to snacks and drinks from the laid-out table, freely move around the hall or room, and socialize. What you need to know about a buffet:
- Make sure to provide a variety of drinks. It’s worth in advance ordering Teacher’s whiskey and other spirits from an online store to save time. Don’t forget non-alcoholic options and a sufficient number of glasses.
- Guests take food by hand or using small utensils. Therefore canapés, tartlets, mini roulades — a good solution.
- Include a variety of snacks in the menu — salty, sweet, hot, cold, light and more filling. That way each guest can choose dishes themselves.
If space allows, set up several different tables, for example with snacks, desserts, drinks. You can prepare everything needed yourself. An alternative is to buy ready-made snacks at the MAUDAU store. For example, assortments of cheeses with nuts, pâtés, mini burgers, sushi rolls, pâtés, meat roulades — there are many options.
Classic festive table
All guests gather at the festive table, so dishes are served in large plates, salad bowls, or lidded containers so that everyone can take a portion. This is the most familiar format of celebrations for Ukrainians.
You can add to the classic table menu:
- alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks;
- meat and cheese platters, vegetable assortments, pâtés, canapés, tartlets;
- several different salads — from the classic “Olivier” to unusual recipes with seafood;
- meat or fish with a side dish (potatoes, rice, vegetables), baked dishes, etc.;
- cake, pastries, fruit assortments, ice cream.
When all guests and family gather at one large table — it’s truly wonderful! The feeling of unity and homely comfort cannot be overestimated.
Picnic: celebration outdoors
A picnic is perfect for summer or warm spring when you want to spend more time outdoors. The basis of the menu becomes everything that is easy to take with you:
- open-faced sandwiches, sandwiches, lavash wraps with fillings;
- any salads in airtight containers;
- fruits, cookies or muffins;
- lemonades, water, fruit drinks (mors), light wine, beer.
If there is a barbecue grill, you can prepare shashlik, grilled vegetables, chicken wings, potatoes in foil, or sausages.
A relaxed, easygoing atmosphere, active games, music, and outdoor recreation — the advantages of celebrating outdoors. Since there are minimal formalities here, you don’t have to worry about fancy tableware, but everything should be convenient, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing.
For any event format, always consider the number of guests and their preferences regarding dishes. The main thing is to do everything with heart, and then the celebration will leave only pleasant memories.