Executive Chef Amy Brandwein is preparing a fashion-inspired menu for the season 9 finale. Below are a few of her menu ideas and entertaining tips so fans can “make it work” when hosting their own home-viewing party with simple and easy dishes for casual entertaining.
Inspired by the final four “Runway” contestants and based on CASA NONNA’s rustic Italian menu, consider the following party ideas:
THE FOOD
Drinks & Starters:
-Bring on the red wine, mixed olives, hard cheeses, rolled prosciutto meat and crostini bread served with sheep’s milk ricotta cheese sprinkled with fleur du sel (or grey salt) and a few drops of truffle oil.
Fashion Inspiration: The Sophisticate - Anya Ayoung-Chee
-Serve creamy artichoke dip alongside a truffle oil & balsamic vinegar dipping sauce with fresh sourdough bread.
Fashion Inspiration: The Lovable Girl Next Door - Kimberly Goldson
The Main Course:
-Always keep the basics on hand like an easy to prepare Margherita pizza or pre-made pastas such as tortellini, ravioli, fettuccine or angel hair from your local deli or market. Melt butter with herbs, sage, garlic or basil and finish with salt and pepper, or warm up a classic tomato sauce that takes only minutes to prepare.
Fashion Inspiration: The New Yorker - Joshua McKinley
-Turn up the heat with “devil-style” chicken wings – buy plain and spice with garlic, lemon and hot pepper sauce (soak the wings in a Ziploc bag before cooking in the oven).
Fashion Inspiration: The Risk-Taker - Viktor Luna
THE PARTY DÉCOR
You don’t need a pattern-making degree to lay down your foundation for fashion and your passion for food. Gather inexpensive fabric from a local shop or craft store and drape across your serving table; place spools of thread and mini pattern scissors in between snacking plates. Try pincushions with slips of paper denoting your guests’ names.
Never think literally. Try cutting up small swatches of faux fur to use as coasters and tie ribbons on wine stems to mark individual glasses.
THE PARTY FINALE? DESSERT!
Make sure your party meal is finished off with freshly brewed espresso, frozen vanilla gelato and a bit of Limoncello liqueur served in thimbles.
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