Hosting The Bachelorettes

In July, I was recruited by The Stylist LA and Wine Country Colbert Group to host an intimate dinner party for some of the ladies from The Bachelor (and my new favorite blogger Everyday Pursuits...hi Ashley!) at a beautiful home in Sonoma.

A lot of you had asked what I served, so I wanted to share the full menu and three of my favorite entertaining tips (cuz ya know, it ain't always easy).

The Menu

Cocktail Hour

Grapefruit, jalapeno, lime, sparkling water, vodka

Ahi Tartare

Fresh tuna, ginger, scallions, and avocado atop house crisps

Salads

Peach, burrata, and prosciutto

Heirloom tomato and basil

Artisan Tacos

Coconut fried tortillas, pulled lime garlic chicken, cotija, house pickled onions, mango salsa

Le Macaron Bar

Hand made macaron shells with salted caramel, raspberry, and vanilla buttercream, curated sprinkles, edible metallic paint, glitter, and sugar decorations. DIY your own box.

My top three entertaining tips:

Tip #1: Hit the farmer’s market.

I know this sounds cliché, but stick with me. The day before this dinner, I spent hours wandering the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market in San Francisco. When you start with really fresh, seasonal, local ingredients, you take the pressure off yourself as the chef—add a generous pinch of salt and you can get away with barely even cooking (re: the heirloom, tomato, basil salad above). But, when you start with out of season produce that’s been shipped from South America, you have to do a lot to make it taste good.

I also love buying from farmers because the food comes with a built-in story, an instant conversation starter. One of the farmers sent me home with a bag full of cucumbers: lemon, Armenian, and Persian. While prepping for the dinner, I shared with one of the ladies what I had learned about the cucumbers and we did a little taste test on the kitchen island. It’s a fun way to quickly connect with your guests, especially if you’ve never before met.

Tip #2: Don’t experiment.

I’ll be honest—sometimes I get stuck and have to try something for the first time while I have hungry clients waiting. But, you’d be surprised how even the littlest things can affect your cooking—like using a pot that’s a different size or substituting an ingredient. It’s not worth risking, so always make dishes you’re familiar and comfortable with. (So, full disclosure, I was up at 6 am testing my coconut fried tortillas before I drove up to wine country.)

Tip #3: Check for dietary restrictions in advance.

I often get mistaken for a restaurant on legs. Oh, you don’t like salmon? Sure, let me just butcher a chicken out back. Ah, you’re gluten free? We can remove the bread from the bruschetta and spoon feed you diced tomatoes. It can ruin the vibe.

Typically, dietary restrictions aren’t flexible. And while it’s nice for a guest to let you know in advance, it often doesn’t happen, so I make a point to ask before I grocery shop. I always feel much more comfortable knowing about restrictions so I can plan around them. Making adjustments on the spot can be very tricky if not impossible. Fortunately, these ladies were a breeze and happily ate everything.