Ahighlight for me as a child was cracking the nod for tea at the home of my mum’s friend. You see, tea at Yvonne Roberts’s home was anything but ordinary. The fact that some 30-odd years later I can vividly recall the details … the starched tablecloth on the dining-room table, the beautiful table napkins and pretty tea cups … shows how she created an occasion that was memorable.
Yvonne had a way of making you feel welcome and special. Even though I was a young girl, I was served tea in one of her best teacups. Inspired by this, I decided that no matter the occasion, I would one day attempt to make others feel as special when entertaining them in my own home. The truth is, we should treasure each and every occasion or celebration, for life is fragile and unpredictable. There are so many people who reach the end of their lives with their best china or silverware virtually unused, because they were waiting for the right occasion. The right occasion is now. Setting a formal tea tray takes only a few minutes yet says ‘welcome’ in a special way, and time spent with friends and family is indeed precious.
My dear friend and next-door neighbour, artist Penelope Mitchell is another person who has inspired me. It is the way she does things. Every evening her dinner table is beautifully set with starched napkins, candles and freshly picked flowers even though it is just her, Christopher and their two young children who sit down for the meal. It’s an enviable ritual Penelope learned from her mother and one that, hopefully, she will pass on to her children.
With this book I hope to empower you with the confidence to entertain in a stress-free manner and to host successful and memorable occasions. You don’t have to stage a banquet for a birthday celebration! The important thing is that whatever you do, you do it as carefully and beautifully as you can, then present it with aplomb. Here, I share with you my own secrets, the tips and tricks that a mother would pass on to her daughter.
So what is the secret to entertaining with success? The answer lies in the three Ps: planning, preparation and presentation. This entails drawing up lists, lists and more lists. This book aims to hold your hand through the party planning process, helping you to become organised well ahead of time. (Most recipe and entertaining books list recipes, but they seldom give you suggestions on what recipes to combine for a special occasion and, most importantly, what recipes can be made and stored in advance.) Here, each chapter gives a detailed countdown that does exactly this, offering numerous menu suggestions and alternatives, and a plan of action. They are my tried-and-tested guides. And the techniques and step-by-step photographs show you how to achieve visually stunning results without having to be a master cook, baker or cake decorator.