Planning a Memorial Day Picnic
The un–official start of summer is right around the corner, and families around Central Pennsylvania are gearing up to host friends and family for Memorial Day outings filled with sun, fun and good eats.
How can you make sure your summer starts off right? Here are some of the tips from local catering expert (and party planner extraordinaire) Jennifer Delaye of JDK Catering that will make sure your Memorial Day — and other summer outings for that matter — go off with a bang.
- Make a statement with your food If you’re holding a barbeque, why not add a grilled desert to your repertoire? Why not try a new cuisine out for size? Popular outdoor cuisines include seafood (tuna, swordfish & clams), roasted pork and chicken, grilled vegetables, and assorted meat and vegetable kabobs.
- Transform your outdoor dining area Linens and décor add pizzazz to your party. Simple table linen tablecloths, cut flowers from the garden, floating candles and seasonal décor will get guests in the mood for a celebration, and make sure your event is memorable.
- Prepare a signature drink (or drinks) ahead of time Take a traditional recipe and get creative with it by adding new ingredients and giving the drink a unique name. Mix ingredients ahead of time and chill your creations in pitchers so you can enjoy your guests later (instead of playing bartender throughout the entire event). If you are preparing alcoholic drinks, remember to have non–alcoholic beverages on hand for those who prefer not to drink.
- Get guests involved in the party Make it a pot–luck event. Want to get them even more involved? Create a theme for guests to follow when preparing their meals, and ask them to bring theme–appropriate games or activities that the whole family can enjoy.
- Make an extra effort to keep bugs away Spray down your outdoor patio or dining area with insect repellant before your guests arrive (so you don’t fume out your human friends!). Place citronella candles, torches, or other insect repellants around the perimeter of your dining room, making sure to place them far enough away that they don't infuse your food with that not–so–tasty citronella smell, but close enough that they form a barrier that pesky bugs won’t dare penetrate.
- Have a back up plan As always with outdoor events have a back up plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. Take a look at the weather forecast, and if dreary weather looks like a possibility, take extra steps to make sure your event will go off without a hitch. Consider renting an outdoor tent, or transforming large indoor areas (like your garage or basement) into guest friendly retreats. If you expect a large number of guests, consider renting a facility that can accommodate everyone — or consider moving your celebration to another day that Mother Nature is more likely to cooperate with.