| There's nothing like a fantastic dinner party - and | | | | place a spotlight onto the tree using a colored |
| to make your dinner party REALLY stand out and | | | | bulb? You have so many options to consider. |
| become a wonderful and memorable experience I | | | | What sort of lighting will people experience at |
| suggest catering to all the senses - sight, smell, | | | | your table? |
| touch, hearing and most importantly taste! | | | | Smell - what aromas will be filling the air as your |
| My partner and I had one of our best culinary | | | | guests arrive? The smell of your dinner if you're |
| experiences in a restaurant called The Dark Side - | | | | cooking no doubt - garlic maybe? Or the smell of |
| there was not a ounce of light in the dining room. | | | | a scented candle? |
| Initially, we were ushered into a bar where we | | | | What pleasure to the ear can you bring to your |
| got to see the menu and we picked our meals. | | | | guests? Imagine walking into a house where |
| Then the waiter came wearing night vision glasses | | | | someone has hired a harpist or a string quartet. I |
| to escort us to our table.. it was pitch black.. | | | | have personally experienced this for a special |
| At first I could feel my anxiety levels rising but | | | | occasion dinner and it has left it's mark on my |
| then I relaxed into the experience. My senses | | | | memory permanently. But it needn't cost you |
| were on high alert. I listened to the chatter of | | | | anything - you can play a CD or two. Have a |
| nearby diners. | | | | good think about some CDs you might play and in |
| I smelt the food as it was being delivered.. the | | | | what order.. I'd suggest putting some thought into |
| aromas filled our senses. I smelt spices and could | | | | this. Make sure the music is great as background |
| identify certain subtle smells that I would never | | | | and that the levels are just right. You don't want |
| have before even noticed.. | | | | people to have to shout in order to be heard. |
| Then you had to try to get the food onto your | | | | What about touch? Can you kiss your guests or |
| fork. This alone proved more fun than frustrating. | | | | shake their hands warmly as they arrive? Can the |
| The food was delicious - I enjoyed it immensely - | | | | meal involve people using their hands somehow in |
| the textures and the flavors were amazing. The | | | | the preparation or can you provide ingredients so |
| experience brought home the fact that I had | | | | that they can roll a course - like a Vietnamese |
| usually taken this experience for granted - even | | | | hand roll? Or fill their own taco? Can they be |
| though I may have enjoyed a flavor it was never | | | | dipping strawberries into melted chocolate when it |
| to this extreme. | | | | come dessert time? Think about the texture of |
| So, my suggestion to you is to make sure your | | | | foods as they hit the tongue. |
| next dinner parties focus on the senses - make it | | | | And last but certainly not least there's taste. |
| extreme. Have a good think about how you can | | | | What flavors will you serve? Don't forget to |
| make an impression on each. For instance - | | | | check what sort of foods your guests don't or |
| Sight - how can you decorate your dining area - | | | | can't eat. In fact, I always like to ask my guests |
| whether inside or outside? What colors will you | | | | what they like eating.. When I was asked this |
| use? What color tablecloth, napkins, flowers, | | | | question by someone on an invitation to their |
| candles, center pieces? Will you hang flowers | | | | dinner party it made me feel pretty special. |
| from a tree by your outdoor setting? Can you | | | | |