Elegant Entertainment with Ease

“Don't be afraid to use your finest tableware and serving pieces, and don't feel as though you must wait for a special occasion to bring them out of the cabinet,” advises Isabelle von Boch, an international hostess, etiquette expert and eight generation member of the family who designs and manufactures Villeroy and Boch china and crystal.

Kitchen Talk: Tips from Isabelle von Boch

The young executive doesn’t have much time to prepare a balanced meal, and many an executive feels that the only way to eat well is to eat out.

Not so! With a little ingenuity, good ingredients and attractive china and crystal, an interesting meal is easy to prepare and you'll even have time for dessert. In fact, you may decide to make the dessert the center of attraction.

Buy a roast chicken, make a fresh garden salad, serve a sparkling white wine spritzer and spend a little time on making or choosing a dessert and you've made an elegant meal in just minutes.

“Don't be afraid to use your finest tableware and serving pieces, and don't feel as though you must wait for a special occasion to bring them out of the cabinet,” advises Isabelle von Boch, an international hostess, etiquette expert and eight generation member of the family who designs and manufactures Villeroy and Boch china and crystal. “Even the most basic, seemingly ordinary meal can be made more glamorous and appealing when it's beautifully presented.” 

Here are some other hints for the gourmet touch:

• Prepare ahead: If you're having company, there's no need to rush home early. Set your table the night before.

• Mix rather than match china and be sure to have attractive wine glasses - they're inexpensive and “dress up” any table. 

• Chop vegetables for your salad the day before dinner and refrigerate in ice water. 

• Chill the wine and place in an ice bucket near the table to remain chilled. Open a few minutes prior to serving to allow the wine to “breathe.”

• Intermingle china and crystal patterns using colors and shapes as unifying theme and discover new multi-uses for your crystal. For example, champagne flutes make exquisite parfait glasses for chocolate mousse and other desserts. 

• Set a special table with accessories such as ceramic figurines, paperweights or individual ceramic boxes filled with “goodies” such as nuts or after dinner candies  

• Be innovative with your table linens. Find fabric that will make a fun and festive backdrop for your china. 

• Set up a serving table with foods, salads and dessert dishes nearby, allowing you to remain seated while serving guests. – The Desert Sun, 1984

 🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor or the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia