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Party-Time Menu Ideas

No matter what your party’s theme, whether it’s elegant or casual ~ We’ll make it truly special!

These samples give you an idea of menus you can personalize to reflect your own individuality and style.

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Holiday
  • Winter
  • Themed Party Menus
  • Prepare and Leave
  • Retreats


40th Anniversary Low Country Boil
A Lighter Seder Dinner for Passover
April Sallys Birthday Party
April Spring Confirmation Feast
Celebrating the Newlyweds
Daya’s Dinner at Six
DSD Cocktails
Fabs 64th Birthday Party
Friend’s Fun Picnic
Full Moon (gluten free) Birthday Dinner
Gluten Free June Wedding Tea Party
Graduation SUNDAY BRUNCH
Graduation Weekend
Julias Graduation Open House Menu
Late Night Menu
Intimate Celebration of Life
Intimate Elopement dinner Spring menu
Local Seasonal Organic and Vegetarian Dinner
Low Country Boil
March A Family Birthday Dinner
May Dinner Under the Stars
May Duke Department Farewell
Meet The Newly Weds
Menu Simple, Yet Elegant Dinner
“Mother of 2” Business School Graduation Dinner
Pre Bar Mitzvah Dinner
Quaker Wedding Reception (vegetarian)
Sweet & Simple Memorial Luncheon
Spring Afternoon Party Menu
Spring Dinner Party
Spring Equinox Grad Student Feast
Spring Garden & Moonlight Reception
Spring Memorial Service
Spring Picnic birthday party
Springtime Wedding in the Mountains
Spring University Farewell to a Professor
Sunday Brunch
Tapas Party
Time of Blossoming
The Tin Roof Graduation
Wedding Shower Menu
Yotam Ottolenghi Inspired After-Concert Dinner


40th Birthday Wine Tasting Menu
August Dinner for 10
A June Birthday Dinner
A Meeting of Minds Dinner
August Mid-day Reunion
August Rehearsal Dinner
A Small Family Wedding Reception
Caribbean Rehearsal Dinner
Celebrating A Summer Birthday
City Baby Shower Luncheon
Dad’s Birthday Celebration
Fancy Menu for Greek Dinner for Two
First Communion Kid Friendly
French Inspired Midsummer Picnic
Grandaddy’s 90th Birthday Celebration
Gratitude Party Celebrating Baby
Intimate family wedding dinner (Summer)
Intimate Summer Wedding
Jan’s Baby Shower
July 50th Birthday Party for Billy
July Cathys 50th Birthday Party
June Emilys Veg Middle Eastern Going Away Party
Model Home Opening
My Daughters Rehearsal Dinner
Summer Birthday Picnic Fancy menu
Summer Garden Birthday Celebration
A Summer Memorial Celebration
A Simple Summer Feast
NC Summertime Wedding
Summer Brunch
Summer Dinner for Doctors
Summers Eve Remembering Mama
Wedding Shower Menu

Fun Finger Foods

These suggestions are only a minuscule sampling of the possible hors d’oeuvres available for your special event. Remember: We specialize in specializing!

  • SEAFOOD
  • MEAT
  • POULTRY
  • BEANS, SOY & NUTS
  • DAIRY
  • VEGETABLES & FRUITS
  • DESSERTS
  • BEVERAGES
  • Anchovy & Olive Oil Sauce
  • Golden Taramasalate – hummus with golden caviar
  • Blackened Catfish Cakes
  • Crab & Artichoke Dip (hot or cold)
  • Creamy Crab and Lime Dip
  • Mexican Crab Dip
  • Almond Crusted Salmon with Garlic Sauce
  • Jewish Pizza
  • Pumpernickel Salmon Bites
  • Smokey Salmon Spread
  • Smoked Salmon, Caper, Scallion, Cream Cheese Phyllo Triangle
  • Smoked Salmon Sushi Stacks – Optional Crème Fraiche &Caviar
  • Smoked Salmon and Dill Rollups
  • Smoked Salmon, Goat Cheese & Asparagus Roulade
  • Black & White Sesame Crusted Salmon with Orange Miso Sauce
  • Salmon & Artichoke Heart Pate
  • Salmon Stuffed Phyllo Triangles
  • Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp with Mango Salsa
  • Macadamia and Coconut Crusted Shrimp
  • Mango Curry Shrimp Salad in Wonton Cups
  • Shrimp, Stuffed & Wrapped with Prosciutto in Lemon Sauce
  • Shrimp Toast Bagutta with Anchovy Cream Sauce
  • Smoked Trout Mousse on Cucumber Slices
  • Shrimp or Tuna Cakes with Lime Mint Sauce
  • Skewered Smokey Paprika Shrimp with Avocado Sauce
  • Tuna on an Aioli Platter with lots of Veggies
  • Tuna With Green Olive Tapenade
  • Meatballs & Portobellos, Swedish Style
  • Danish Meatballs in Sour Cream Dill Sauce
  • Meatballs, Sweet & Sour or in Tangy Tequila Sauce
  • Meatloaf, Cold Cuban on Jicama /Pineapple or Cranberry Salsa
  • Argentine Rolled, Stuffed Flank Steak
  • Stuffed Mushrooms – beef, pork or vegetarian
  • Picadillo – Spanish Seasoned Ground Beef Mixed with Olives, Capers & Tomatoes, served in Pita or with Chips
  • Mini “White Castle” Hamburgers
  • Maui Beef Fajitas with Mango Salsa and Garlic Sour Cream
  • Beef Tenderloin, Hoisin Sauced on Crispy Rice Noodle Cakes
  • Beef Tenderloin on Sliced Baguette with Herbed Butter & Arugula
  • Beef Tenderloin, Horseradish-Pecan Crusted & Skewered
  • Peking Sauced Beef on Coconut Biscuits or Rice Noodle Cakes
  • Beef on an Aioli Platter with Lots of Veggies
  • Strathboro Paste, a Roast Beef Pate, Great on Apples Too!
  • Lori’s Bacon-Wrapped Chestnuts
  • Pork & Black Bean Red Pepper Wedges
  • Pepperoni Cheese Tartlets – Cream Cheese Pastry Filled with Pepperoni, Cream, Eggs & Swiss Cheese
  • Luau Pork Ribs
  • Prosciutto & Rosemary Phyllo Triangles
  • Ham & Spinach Dip
  • Ham Biscuits
  • Tongue Pate
  • Lamb Kebabs with Cool Mint Sauce
  • Spanish Sausage Tortilla Bites
(Most main course poultry dishes can be converted into an enticing appetizer – ask about more delicious ideas!)

  • Grilled Margarita Chicken with Salsa-Sour Cream Dip
  • Curried Mushroom & Chicken Brochettes
  • Curried Chicken Pate – also Great on Apple Slices
  • Cold Chicken with Ginger Sauce
  • Peking Chicken Wings
  • Chicken with Coconut and Spinach
  • Chicken Bites with Maple Mustard Sauce & Pomegranate Seeds
  • Mexican Chicken Shreds on Masa Potato Cakes with Salsa and/or Lime Cilantro Sour Cream
  • Chicken Bites or Wings with Olives, Prunes, Capers & Garlic
  • Roasted Turkey with Herb Cream Cheese & Strawberries
  • Smoked Turkey on Cranberry Scones with Orange Marmalade
  • Smoked Turkey Spring Rolls with Plum Sauce
  • Chicken Satay, Skewered with Pepper, Pineapple & Served with Peanut Sauce
  • Curried Chicken and Mushroom Brochettes
(Many dairy & meat dishes can be adapted to a vegetarian diet – the options are endless!)

  • Black Bean Pate
  • Fried Black Bean Roll
  • Boilermaker Bean Dip – Beer, Tequila & Chipotle Chilis
  • Almonds, Walnuts or Pecans, Butter Roasted with Rosemary
  • Chili Nuts
  • Cincinnati Chili Dip and Chips (soy)
  • Hummus, Middle Eastern, Summer Orange, Smokey Chipotle
  • Lentil Walnut ‘Chopped Liver’ Pate
  • Honey Roasted Ginger Pecans
  • Orange Spiced Pecans
  • Walnut Garlic Spread
  • Honey-Coated Crisp Pine Nuts
  • Roasted Garlic & Toasted Pine Nut Dip
  • Sunflower Seed Pate
  • Vegan Fondue
  • Tofu & Red Bean Dip
  • Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce
  • Tofu Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
  • Tofu Walnut Balls with Curried Coconut Sauce or Tamarind
  • Walnut Loaf, Mushrooms Stuffed with
  • White Bean and Roasted Red Pepper Dip
  • White Bean and Sundried Tomato Dip
  • Yucatan Bean and Pumpkin Seed Dip
  • Raspberry Salsa Bean Dip
(Many dairy dishes can be adapted to a Vegan diet.)

  • Lavish Display of Fruits, Vegetables, Cheese, Breads & Nuts
  • Avocado Tart with Guava in a Cornmeal Crust
  • Asparagus Roll-ups with Cream Cheese & Bacon or Lox
  • Phyllo Triangles – Roquefort/Pistachio, Muenster/Scallion, Smoked Salmon/Caper or Spinach/Feta
  • Feta or Pimento Cheese Puff Pastries
  • Feta-Chili Spread
  • Bleu Cheese Toasts
  • Roquefort Walnut Spread
  • Gorgonzola Dipped Grapes Coated with Toasted Almonds
  • Brie Wrapped in Phyllo – Makes a Novel Birthday Cake!
  • Brie or Monterey Jack Quesadilla with Pear Salsa
  • Brie and Mango Quesadilla with Sour Cream Lime Sauce
  • Warmed Cranberry Brie
  • Baked Brie with Mushrooms and Almonds
  • Caramelized Onion, Apple, and Brie Tartlets
  • Brie Apple and Walnut Toasts
  • Pear & Walnut Toasts with Warm Brie
  • Chutney Cream Cheese on Ginger Snaps or Coconut Bread
  • Mini Chevre Tarts with Peppers Provencal
  • Chevre Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Crostini with Roasted Garlic, Chevre & Apple Chutney
  • Fig & Walnut Tapenade – Optionally Served with Chevre Spread
  • Apple Cheddar Bread with Fresh Apples & Vermont Cheddar
  • Cheddar & Apple Chutney
  • Cheddar Cheese & Olive Puffs
  • Royal Fontina, Nut & Raisin Balls
  • Pesto Torte – Cream Cheese, Pesto and Sundried Tomatoes
  • Italian Cheese Spread with Celery, Green Peppers, Olives and Layered with Cheese Cracker Crumbs
  • Pesto Cheesecake with Fresh Basil Leaves & Roasted Red Peppers
  • Ritz & Pepper Jelly Mini Cheesecakes
  • Gougere – filled or not
  • Mediterranean Yogurt Dip with Fresh Herbed Apricot Walnut Pesto
  • Spinach Watercress Dip
  • Three Cheese Fondue – Roasted Potatoes & Mushrooms
  • Guava Cheese Tart
  • Aioli Platter with Many Veggies – Beef & Fish Optional
  • Antipasto – Assorted Marinated Vegetables, Tofu and/or Cheese and Olives, Served with Fresh Italian Bread
  • Parmesan Sage Broccoli Canapés
  • Artichokes with Aioli
  • Italian Artichoke & Cheese Salad – Like an Antipasti in a Bowl
  • Avocado Cashew-mole Dip
  • Avocado Tempura
  • Avocado Guatemalan Guacamole with Lime
  • Avocado Jamaican Tart
  • Basil Dip
  • Black Beans & Mango Dip
  • Texas Caviar (Black Eyed Peas) with Avocado
  • Baby Carrot Crudités with Green Onion and Mint Dip
  • Vegan “Crab” Cakes with Lime Mint Sauce
  • Chickpea & Sweet Potato Koftas
  • Endive with Herbed Cheese
  • Eggplant – Persian flavored with Garlic, Cumin and Lime
  • “Green” Fruit Kebabs with Avocado Coulis
  • Lime Pepper Mayonnaise Sauce for Yucca Chips
  • Red Onion and Shallot Marmalade Crostini
  • Green Olive Tapenade
  • Margarita Marinated Olives
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Dip
  • Spinach and Artichoke Dip
  • Plum Glazed Stuffed Shitake Mushrooms
  • Mushrooms Stuffed with Anything You Like
  • Mushroom Pate Almandine
  • Mushroom-Macadamia Tart
  • Portobello Mushroom Caviar
  • Baked Potato Wedges with Assorted Dipping Sauce
  • Curried Stuffed New Potatoes
  • Salsa de Cilantro with Corn Chips
  • Jamaican Salsa with Jicama, Pineapple, Avocado & Mint
  • Strawberries with Fresh Mozzarella & Mint Drizzle
  • Kiwi & Grape Skewers with Avocado Coulis
  • Tomato Cheese Tart (#1 with Terri’s Clients for 20 years!)
  • Sunset Tomato Toasts
  • Curried Chopped Vegetable Dip with Hot Tortilla Chips
  • Vegetables, Lightly Oven Roasted to Serve with Assorted Dips
  • Zucchini Koftas with Tamarind Sauce
  • Sauteed Radishes
(This list is only 1% of The Food Fairy’s dessert potential!)

  • Apple (or Pear) Gingerbread Cobber with Chantilly Cream
  • Basil Lime Pound Cake with Lime Cream Cheese Icing
  • Brie Wrapped in Phyllo with Seasonal Fruit
  • Butterscotch Pudding Cake
  • Carrot Cake with Rum Sauce
  • Caramel-Orange or Chocolate Fondue (non-dairy also)
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
  • Chocolate-Coconut Chess Pie
  • Rachel’s Blueberry Pie
  • Meringue Cookies – Chocolate, Peppermint or Peanut Butter & Jelly
  • Macadamia Nut Butter Cookies
  • Chocolate Mousse Cake with Chocolate Mousse Icing
  • Cranberry Orange Holiday Trifle or English Trifle
  • Ginger Cake with Ginger Caramelized Pears
  • Hazelnut Tart with Chocolate Chantilly Cream
  • Lemon Marsala Pears
  • Orange Coconut Cake
  • Pavlova – Meringue with Tangerine Custard & Whipped Cream
  • Pecan Squares
  • Creamy Stuffed Apricots
  • Apricot Crumble
  • Pear and Fig Strudel with Ginger Cream
  • Pear and Dried Cranberry Tart Tartan
  • Raspberry Coconut Bars
  • Rose Pudding
  • Strawberry Almond Dacquoise
  • Transparent Apple Pie
  • White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake
  • Cold Sherry Soufflé
  • Sugar free and Gluten Free Desserts
(Most beverages can be made with or without alcohol.)

  • Anne’s Apricot Punch – Tropical V-8, Lemon and Fresca
  • Anytime Punch – Pineapple, Orange, Lemon and Lime
  • Cranberry Orange Cape Cod with Gran Marnier
  • Citrus Iced Tea
  • Fruity Sangria
  • Faux Champagne Punch – Sparkling White Grape Juice, Ginger Ale, Lemonade
  • Halloween Frozen Hand Punch – Same as Faux Champagne
  • Mango Lassi
  • Melody’s “No Quarters” Sangria
  • Mint Tulip– Ginger Ale, Mint, Lemon
  • No Name Punch – Cranberry, Raspberry, Lemon & Sparkling Water
  • Peach Almond Champagne Cocktail
  • Scarlett O’Hara – Southern Comfort, Cranberry Juice, Lime
  • Sparkling Citrus Punch – Apricot, Pink Grapefruit, Orange Tangerine, Sparkling Water or Champagne
  • Spiced Apple Juice – Orange, Cinnamon, Lemo, Nutmeg
  • Spiced Hot Fruit Punch – Cranberry, Raspberry, Orange Spice Tea, Dried Apricots & Cranberries, Cinnamon & Allspice
  • Strawberry-Kiwi Sangria with Rose Geranium
  • Wassail
  • Watermelon Apricot Juice
  • Watermelon Mint Spritzer
  • Watermelon Punch – Lime, Lemon, Orange