Whether you choose to explore the variety of preparations of one particular dish or take a culinary trek through a particular country or region via your menu, a themed tasting party is sure to excite the tastebuds of all your guests. (more…)

Forget politics and religion for party talk. If you really want to get your get your guests involved in intense conversation and passionate debate, getting them to talk about food is a sure winner.

Everyone thinks they know what they like. So everyone has an opinion about food preferences. However, when presented with an array of side-by-side samplings, you’ll find participants admitting that they surprised themselves with the discovery of what they didn’t know about the nuances of tasting and their own taste preferences. (more…)

Burgers and hot dogs are staples of the classic American backyard get-together—easy to prepare and sure-fire summertime party pleasers. But they don’t have to be bland and boring with the same toppings time after time. In fact, you can host a tasting party centered just around these grilling-season favorites. Take the equivalent of a culinary road trip around our country and you’ll find a variety of ways to prepare burgers and dogs, depending on the region.

And whether your creation is authentic to a region or merely inspired by it, make it your own, make it delicious, and enjoy! (more…)

Summer is the season for parties. It’s the time of year for graduation gatherings and family picnics, showers and anniversaries, garden parties and pool-side brunches.

When it comes to summer entertaining, we often think of backyard barbecues—a game of horseshoes, frosty mugs of ice-cold beer, and thick, juicy Porterhouse steaks sizzling away over the coals. But a party outdoors can be just as elegant as an indoor party. It’s all in how you present it.

Here are some of our favorite ideas for throwing an elegant summertime party. (more…)