Web produced by: Jessica Noll
Q&A with Amy Tobin, as she gives her tips for the perfect Kentucky Derby party this year.
Where do you start?
Every successful party starts with a plan and a timeline. After you decide the date and time, decide who you're inviting, your budget, menu and decor.
Do you need help? If so, now's the time to arrange a caterer, bar tender, server or general helper.
-Invitations should go out about 3 weeks ahead.
-Two weeks before you should confirm that you have all your dishes, serving pieces, glassware, etc. If you're throwing a big party, this is the time to make sure you have enough tables, chairs, etc. It’s also a great time to spruce up around the house- add potted flowers to your front door, get the piles of mail off your dining table.
-One week before, grocery shop for all non-perishable items and stock the bar. Prep and/or cook any make-ahead items.
-Two days ahead, clean the house and do any last minute make-ahead cooking.
-One day ahead, get out serving pieces, fill vases with flowers, chill beverages, get ice.
-Day of, do any last minute cooking, last minute cleaning and set the table
-2-3 hours before, chill out. Take a nap, a shower, veg in front of the TV.
-30 minutes before, be dressed and ready to greet your guests with your full, relaxed attention.
What makes a great party?
The best party is thrown by a relaxed host or hostess that make their guests feel welcome and wanted. Start there and you're well on your way.
Always make sure to offer people a drink the minute they arrive. Have some kind of food available immediately, too. A bowl of nuts or basket of chips and salsa are fine.
Try to get most of the work done in advance so that you can enjoy the party, too. From there, I think the guests have a responsibility to add to the atmosphere as well. Be helpful and upbeat. Don't drink too much. Bring a hostess gift.
What makes a memorable party? Food, decor, music, guests. All of these add up to make a memorable party. Step slightly outside your comfort zone in all the areas.
Try a variety of cheeses you've never tasted for an easy hors d oeuvre. Serve a selection of micro brews. Try a little bit of themed decor and music. Five to seven small bid vases with individual stems in each are a striking arrangement any one can pull off. How about a Bluegrass CD for the Derby Party?
Invite one or two people that you've never entertained before and make sure to introduce them around and help them to find common ground with your other guests. All of these things can and do add up to a pretty memorable event.
Should you include favors? What?
I love getting- and giving- party favors! In the case of the hat theme below, I'd get mini hat boxes and fill them with bourbon balls. Or get inexpensive mint julep cups and put a live mint plant in each one.
Keep it simple and easy to execute. They can be part of the decor during the party and a nice parting gift when it's over.
What are great drinks/food to serve?Drinks: Gotta have bourbon. Here are two good ones: Jay Dickerson, EQ's Resident Bar Chef, Mint Julep, Marjorie's Bourbon Slush. Make sure to have bottled water and assorted sodas too.
Food: Have some Kentucky inspired foods as well as some wonderful party classics. Jon Stiles, GM at The Party Source, shared his can’t miss Derby Party menu with me and now I’m sharing it with you.
What are themes and/or colors that are good to use? I like taking the Derby Hat theme and running with it. You can find pretty hat boxes in craft stores.
After the party, you can use them as gift boxes though out the year. Hat boxes make great risers for food on a buffet. You can fill hat boxes with potted flowering plants for an easy centerpiece. Line them with napkins and serve chips or rolls from them.
Ask your guests to wear hats, too. For the greatest impact, take your theme and repeat , repeat, repeat!
What should someone who knows nothing about the Derby, know?
I had the chance to speak with John Asher from Churchill Downs recently.
When he described the playing of “My Old Kentucky Home” before the race I got goose bumps. People care a lot about those couple of minutes that make up the Derby. It’s so important in Louisville that there are two solid weeks of events and celebrations leading up to it.
What should someone who knows nothing about throwing a party, know? Plan. Breathe. Stay organized. Breathe. Pace yourself. Breathe.. Entertaining takes practice and, like anything, the more you do it the easier it becomes.
Start simple. Frankly, I'd suggest that you stay simple, but at the very least, start that way. And don't take any of it too seriously.
Amy Tobin is the Culinary Director at the Northern Kentucky cooking school EQ @ The Party Source and author of Amy's Table: Food for Family and Friends. She hosts a weekly lifestyle radio program on Sunday morning's at 9 a.m. on Q102 and a weekly television program on CET , Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
She is a recipe developer and consultant to several national food brands and leads culinary adventures through Europe. Amy lives in Ohio with her husband, son and daughter.
For more information visit Amy's Table.
