Get Creative For Le Dîner en Blanc…
Le Dîner en Blanc may be best known for its ability to transform a public space into a veritable sea of white — both with the décor and the mustsee fashions that come with it — but as half of its name suggests, the affair is really all about the gastronomic experience.
Award-winning chef and caterer Celeste Gordon is one of the featured caterers at this year’s Le Dîner en Blanc and has been a part of the event since it came to Kingston, Jamaica. No stranger to planning events, Gordon loves to see people having a great time, and the beauty of an event like this one is that after her guests have collected their gourmet baskets, she is able to enjoy the event with them. “I love the whole spectacle of it, everyone coming in and seeing the set-up. A lot of the time, I’m working behind the scenes so I don’t get to see that; this way I am able to enjoy both.”
Each year, Gordon raises the bar and does things a little differently. This year, she introduces a Comfort Food theme with her inspiration coming from the nature of the event itself. “Le Dîner en Blanc is kind of like a family-style event, with people sitting next to each other and creating an extended dining table, enjoying their dinner, conversing and having a good time around the table. So to create a great food experience, I’m offering dishes like the spinach dip – warm and cheesy, and the rice bowl with everything mixed up” she said.
Gordon has noticed this year diners are leaning towards preparing their own gourmet meals, and to help out she shares a few tips:
Don’t play ‘Chef’!
One person should not volunteer to do everything; it works better when everyone pitches in. Everyone has their strengths; play to those.
Dress Up the Familiar
Do what you know and then up the game by dressing it up. If you make a great carrot cake, then figure out a way to make your cream cheese frosting extra special. If you are taking smoked marlin, then add some caviar to your cream cheese accompaniment.
Use Alternate Ingredients
Experiment with alternate ingredients that will spice up your recipe. If a dish requires cheese, instead of reaching for the usual cheddar or mozzarella, using a sharper cheese will give your dish a surprising kick.
At the end of the day, whether you go the caterer or the do-it-yourself route, Gordon wants to remind everyone that, “cooking isn’t rocket science, people should have fun with it, because that’s when it all comes together.”