7 Tips for Creating Party-Perfect Appetizers

When hosting a party, it’s not only important to have a good time; you also want to “wow” your guests. Butler’s Pantry Executive Chef Greg Ziegenfuss offers tips for creating party-perfect appetizers that will wow your guests and make you the life of the party.

1. Depending on the number of guests, prepare 2-3 appetizers
   from scratch, and purchase and assemble the rest. For example, purchase a
   delicious assortment of meats, cheeses, olives, tomatoes and crackers and use beautiful platters and bowls to serve them.
2. Prepare home-made items in advance whenever possible. Save the final reheating, plating and garnishing for right before guests arrive.
3. Roasted asparagus with honey-lime vinaigrette is an easy and fresh appetizer. Simply toss the asparagus in olive oil, lime juice, a pinch of sea salt and white pepper. Roast for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Make a honey-lime sauce by blending olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, honey, salt and pepper together. Drizzle the honey-lime sauce on top of asparagus. Serve chilled. This is a good appetizer to prepare in advance – simply add the dressing right before “show time.”
4. Think color. Place platters of colorful fruits around the serving table. Fresh sprigs of mint and fresh flowers make pretty garnishes, both on the platters and in small vases.
5. Serve one hot dish in a crock pot. Whether it’s spinach-artichoke dip or melt-in-your-mouth meatballs, serving one dish in the crock pot is always easy and everyone will know it’s homemade.
6. Don’t forget the beverages. Consider offering pitchers of a “signature” drink – pink lemonade (from scratch) for an outdoor event, or pitchers of adult drinks – martinis or Manhattans.
7. Everyone enjoys tempting desserts. To take the pressure off party day, either bake and freeze items in advance, or visit your favorite bakery the morning of the party and buy a selection of tasty treats. Make sure and set out a pot of hot coffee near the dessert station.

If thinking about hosting a party and preparing appetizers is too daunting, simply hire Butler’s Pantry and we’ll do it all for you. We’ll even clean up so you don’t have to lift a finger.

For more information, visit www.butlerspantry.com.

About Butler’s Pantry
Butler’s Pantry, a second-generation business founded in
1966, is a St. Louis food-service company that provides innovative and creative catering services for corporate functions, social and special events, and weddings of all sizes. Butler’s Pantry has provided catering services for some of the most notable St. Louis events, including the 2008 BMW Championship, the Mayor’s Ball, the visit of Pope John Paul II and the U. S. Senior Open. Butler’s Pantry presents their own premier event venue, Palladium Saint Louis. Located in Historic Lafayette Square, Palladium Saint Louis is a sophisticated space accommodating up to 700 people.