Hosting a Cocktail Party

Date:   September 30, 2010

PHILIPPINES Restaurant and Wine Bar:

Title: ______________________

Date:  3rd October, 2010

___________________________

Cocktail parties have been a popular social gathering for years. They were a hit during the first few decades of the 1900’s, were fueled by Prohibition and died off a little during the last part of the century, but they’re back. Typically a cocktail party lasts 2-3 hours during which guests snack on a simple spread of food and imbibe on great cocktails while chatting with other guests. Cocktail parties are great for entertaining friends or business associates, or a combination of the two. They’re also great for open houses or receptions, both business and personal.

Party Decisions:

A cocktail party can be as simple or complex as you wish to make it. There are a few questions you should ask yourself to begin planning a party…

1.    How many guests will be attending?

2.    Is this a casual event for friends or a formal business networking event?

3.    How much time and effort do I want to put into it?

4.    Will there be a full bar or a limited cocktail menu?

5.    Will the party be indoor or outdoor? If outdoor, do I have a plan for inclimate weather?

6.    What type of food will be served?

7.    Is there a theme for the party?

8.    Should guests be asked to bring anything?

9.    How much money do I want to spend?

The Food:

A full course meal is not necessary for a cocktail party. Simple foods, such as hors d’oeuvres and other finger foods, allow guests to graze throughout the event as they feel the need. Donna Pilato, About.com Entertaining Guide, suggests some of her favorite cocktail party foods such as Salmon Tarts and Mocha Shortbread which are perfect for almost any taste. Even something as simple as a cheese, crackers and cut fruit is perfect. To be a good host you should have some kind of food available and if you don’t want to deal with food at all, call a caterer.

The Drinks:

The drinks are the most important part of a cocktail party and there are two options.

1.    Full Bar– If you opt for this you give guests the option to choose their favorite drink. This is great if you have a well-stocked bar or if you’re willing to buy the essential spirits and are able to mix up a variety of drinks (or have a good bartending guide).

2.    Drink Menu– This is my favorite because it encourages people to step out of their drinking routine. You’ll also save money because you don’t need a fully stocked bar. Make up a list of the drinks (including ingredients) and set it on the bar for guests to peruse.

Get Some Help:

Only the ultimate host or hostess can do everything on their own and still be available to socialize with guests. The rest of us need some help. Ask friends or family if they’d be willing to handle the food or bartend for the event and if that doesn’t work hire out the work. Many catering companies also provide bartending services so this is logical if you’re already calling the caterer or you could ask an aspiring or young bartender if they’d like the experience. It’s always nice to offer your bartender a tip jar for guests to contribute to.

Helpful Hints:

• Make sure you have all of the essential bar tools.
• Send invitations early, but not too early, 2-3 weeks should be sufficient unless it’s a busy time of year like November and December.
• Get food pairing suggestions from What to Drink with What You Eat.
• Have plenty of cocktail napkins, plates and glasses available.
• Plan on 50-75% of invited guests to attend to estimate the number of drinks you’ll be pouring and how many bottles you’ll need.
• Estimate 2-3 drinks per person.
• Add a “WOW” factor. This could be a drink, garnish, food dish, activity, display or whatever fits your party.

More Party Planning Ideas & Advice:

Every good host or hostess is responsible for those drinking at their party. Be aware of guests who have had too much to drink, cut them off when necessary and arrange for designated drivers. Also, have a few non-alcoholic drink, or mocktails, available for non-drinking guests.

Source:  http://cocktails.about.com/od/partiesholidays/p/cocktail_party.htm

Although wines are widely available in most Asian countries, especially in Hong Kong which has eliminated import tariff on wines altogether, the availability of fine vintage wines is still very scarce.  Most wine merchants offer big names, young vintages and cheaper wines for everyday consumption.  Wine lovers and connoisseurs looking for something special often travel to Clark Pampanga Philippines to do their shopping at this Wine Shop in Manila.

At Yats Wine Cellars we believe that a little bit of knowledge in wine goes a long way to developing expectations in the wines we choose to buy or drink.  Without expectation, it is difficult to really enjoy wine to its fullest.  With this in mind, efforts are made by Yats Wine Cellars to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for our clients to learn more about wine.

Birthday wine gifts is one of the most popular birthday gifts to give someone living in the Philippines.  Fine Vintage wine from Yats Wine Cellars is a sure winner and it does not have to cost a great deal to send someone a bottle in Philippines

To avail of wine catering service of Yats Wine Cellars, just contact this wine supplier in Manila or Angeles Clark Philippines for a meeting to design a theme for the event.  The venue for a wine event can be in the privacy of a home, the convenience of an office in Manila for example or in a clubhouse of a subdivision.   Wine glasses and accessories necessary for wine service are included in the wine catering service.  Moreover, interesting wine notes accompany the wine to help participants enjoy the event even more by learning a little bit about wine while enjoying the party.  A wine steward will be present to serve the wine.

There is also an exciting collection of white wine from Burgundy at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Meursault, Chablis, Chassagne Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne and St. Aubin.  Red wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone are also available with a good depth of back vintages too.  Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila

Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple:  after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave.  From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City.  From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center

Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building

Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,

Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023

0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars

Manila Sales Office

3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,

Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

(632) 637-5019   0917-520-4393  ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.