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Do You Use Good China For Thanksgiving Dinner?

partysugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:00:04 -0800

Do or Don't: Putting Your Napkin on the Plate?

partysugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Yesterday DearSugar and I got into a debate about what you should do with your napkin when finished eating a meal. She said it was tacky and rude to put your napkin on the plate, but I told her I've done it before. What do you think? Is it bad manners to put your napkin on the plate when finished eating?

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Hell's Kitchen Recap 5.1: 16 Chefs Compete

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:00:45 -0800

We recently introduced you to the contestants on the new season of Hell's Kitchen, and many of you said you were excited to watch the season premiere. After watching the first episode last night, it's safe to say that this season, there'll be lots more of Gordon Ramsay in store. To hear my first impressions and discuss the episode (warning: spoilers ahead), read more.

Don't you wish the show told you which restaurants the chefs came from?
It bugged me when Lacey presumed others think, "Here's another pretty girl trying to be a good cook." Did her comment get to you as well?
Isn't it strange that Colleen didn't get high marks for her dish and isn't trained formally as a chef, yet she charges so much money to train other people how to cook? Wasn't it awkward when she offered to serve Gordon a bite? And what was up with him not being able to pronounce her name?
Did Gordon make the right decision by choosing the winning team based on dining room service?
Is it just me, or does Lacey seem immature, Seth like a Gordon groupie, and Giovanni mean, unskilled, and a little shady?
Was Wil stupid or respectable by nominating himself for elimination?

If you didn't catch the episode, here are my favorite quotes from the show:

Gordon to Robert: This dish is clumsy. Like you.

Gordon on Colleen's signature dish: You seriously charge $300 to teach people how to make that crap?

Giovanni on cooking: It was an easy way to get a girl to my house. Instead of taking them out to dinner, I could bring 'em home . . . then you move on to the next level.

Lacey, on the girls' canned team name: Not everyone wanted "Spice Rack," because not everyone has a spice rack.

Seth on Gordon calling him "Forrest": [Insert Forrest Gump accent] Gordon and I will be like peas and carrots once again.

Photo courtesy of Fox

All The News That's Fit To Eat - November 7, 2007

YumSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:18:08 -0800

Forget fancy formal dining, the latest trend is casual yet creative dining including more lounges and signature dishes on bar menus. - San Francisco Chronicle
A breeder in Kansas is on a mission to save rare heritage turkeys from extinction. - New York Times
Stressed out over holiday cooking duties? This year leave the cooking to restaurants, caterers or personal chefs. - Houston Chronicle

Wondering why there's a picture of kitty litter here on YumSugar? Well, believe it or not this kitty litter box is actually full of cake. - PetSugar
Go on and party like it's 1967! These four classic nibbles have been updated for the 21st century. - Chicago Tribune
Plateau de fruits de mer - translation: platters of fruits of the sea - is an extravagant dish to order out. However when made at home this seafood platter can really zing! - Los Angeles Times
Go ahead and master the classic French onion soup. - The Oregonian
Nothing says "holiday" like showy pies - with a little patience, the perfect pie can be yours. - Star Tribune
You either love it or hate it, but coconut cake is the glamour queen of confections. - Dallas Morning News
Mmmm... I wish delicious Salvadoran pupusas were available on every street corner here. - Washington Post

Come Party With Me: Christmas Dinner - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:47:59 -0800

If you have a formal dining room, eat Christmas dinner there. If you don't, set up a table beside the glowing Christmas tree. Next, focus your attention on creating a beautiful table setting. Cover the table with a holiday print tablecloth. Top this with gold chargers and your best china. Shiny green napkins rolled with jingle bell napkin rings are festive and fun.

Serve the food on shiny red platters and the drinks in amber hued red and green stemware. Place red amaryllis flowers in low vases and run them down the middle of the table. Add glowing light by scattering golden votives and candles between the vases. Tie green and gold ribbons to the back of your chairs.

Finally, have a leisurely, unhurried meal and enjoy your exquisite surroundings!

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Off to Market: Place Card Holders

partysugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:18:33 -0700

Thanksgiving is the one time of year where I use place cards to delegate where guests sit around the dining table. So much preparation goes into the food that the table should require equal attention. Place cards, even if just for your close family, add formality to the meal and make it feel like a super special dinner. This year I thought it would be fun to design a table setting around the place card holders. Can you help me by finding a wide selection of place card holders? Look for ones that are elegant, Thanksgiving specific, or can be re-used for future dinner parties. Save your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Place Card Holders. Thanks everyone, I know you will find the perfect place card holders!

To learn more about the bookmarking feature of TeamSugar please read geeksugar's explanation.

Find out where I like to shop online for food and entertaining accessories when you read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Come Party With Me: Wedding - The Look

partysugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:55:19 -0700

So I know I already said that the food and drinks at a wedding are extremely important but the look (like invite) is what sets the entire mood and atmosphere of the event. How can you have magic or love in the air without a beautiful look? Bright colors are an excellent way to add an element of surprise as guests typically expect pastels and when paired with plain white linens the colors can really pop. Remember centerpieces don't always have to be floral: experiment with unconventional centerpieces such as shallow bowls filled with live fish, hollowed out tree trunks filled with fruit, or nests/wreaths overflowing with berries. Integrate elements of nature into the decor by using coral branches for a sunset beach or green moss to blanket bare soil of a potted centerpiece. Instead of having floral centerpieces wrap wedding favors in pretty paper and stack decoratively in the middle of the table. For the look of Julie's wedding (in black, white, and light blue with art deco accents), read more

My number one piece of advice to brides is to create a look that is original to you and your needs. You don't have to follow traditions, you can imagine a look that is unique to you and your groom to achieve the wedding of your dreams. With that said here are my suggestions for Julie:

Wrap vases in white silk and dangle various sized chiffon ribbons from chairs.
Use votives in different sizes and shapes and top the tablecloths with beaded runners.
Fill fountains or any bodies of water with rose petals, floating flowers, or little candles.

Add height by hanging things from the ceiling, glass crystals or chandeliers.
Top each table with a different floral arrangement relating to the overall color scheme.
Create angles by using square plates and rectangular napkins.
For a stunning art deco inspired display that can greet guests upon arrival to the dining room, hang crystals as garlands from a silver tree.

Chair covers are a must and black satin is chic and formal.
Mirrors add depth and balance.

Got an idea for how Julie should decorate her wedding? Tell her below!

Image Source

Are Tablecloths Too Old Fashioned?

partysugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 10:29:47 -0800

Reader serendipity75 wrote me an email asking a very interesting question: are tablecloths too old fashioned? Now judging by my love for placemats, you all know where I am going to stand on this one... of course tablecloths are not too old fashioned! Sure they run the risk of being grandma-ish but if your table ends up looking like a little old lady, that means you have chosen the wrong tablecloth. When done correctly tablecloths can actually be chic and stylish. For example, when I threw an Argentinean themed outdoor cocktail party last summer, I used tablecloths as a way of uniting the decorations. The tables were of different shapes and sizes, but my tablecloths hid this from the guests. I always put a tablecloth on my table at dinner parties and I have even spent Saturday nights making tablecloths for a party! If you want to protect an extremely nice handmade table, please use a tablecloth. What I love about tablecloths is that if you can't find one in the stores that matches your kitchen/dining room/theme party, you can buy a piece of fabric that does and simply make your own. Setting the table with a tablecloth makes any meal feel more formal and is a great way to slow things down and really enjoy your food. In my opinion tablecloths can really be hip and modern but it's up to you to make them so.How about you? Are tablecloths too old fashioned?