Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>Not the kind of person who can throw together a&nbsp;Gatsby-esque&nbsp;party just like that without a few meltdowns, tears and total&nbsp;relief when the whole thing is over?&nbsp;Join the club. With festive parties just around the corner, I asked Lisa Bridge of Derbyshire caterers extraordinaire, <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/rhubarb-kitchen-caterer-party-wirksworth-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://www.therhubarbkitchen.co.uk/">The Rhubarb Kitchen</a>, to share with me&nbsp;her tips on throwing a fabulous party.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Libby-service.jpg" alt="Waitress at a party hosted by Rhubarb Kitchen Derbyshire" class="wp-image-6080" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Libby-service.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Libby-service-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Libby-service-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Libby-service-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>The stellar <a href="https://www.therhubarbkitchen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rhubarb Kitchen</a> team (lanterns by <em>Paper Starlights</em>)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Lisa and her hard-working team pride themselves on offering a full, bespoke service with local, flavoursome food, catering for between 20 and 100 guests. Private parties, hen dos, catering for guests in Peak District holiday homes, corporate events – they do the lot.</p>



<p>‘When customers reach out to us to say they are thinking of hosting a party at home, we go to great lengths to advise and help plan all aspects,’ explains Lisa. ‘Timings, logistics, location of food and&nbsp;drinks areas, a vision of how everything should look and what kind of experience they are hoping to achieve, whether that’s relaxed and informal or seated and served.’</p>



<p>Want to know her secrets to hosting a perfect party? Here&nbsp;you go then.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-do-your-homework">1. Do your homework</h2>



<p>Describe your perfect party &#8211; where is it?&nbsp; Inside&nbsp;or outside?&nbsp; Are your guests seated formally, or are they just mingling, eating and drinking casually?&nbsp; Is there a dress code?&nbsp; Should they bring&nbsp;drinks?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-plan-for-contingencies">2. Plan for contingencies</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Rooftop-view.jpg" alt="Rhubarb Kitchen Derbyshire view of garden party" class="wp-image-6076" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Rooftop-view.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Rooftop-view-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Rooftop-view-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Rooftop-view-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you are thinking outdoors, what is the contingency for rain or cold weather?&nbsp;There are ways of keeping guests warm whilst still being outside &#8211; maybe by creating a rustic &#8220;round the firepit&#8221; type of event, or by the strategic placing of different coloured scarves and throws placed on chairs.&nbsp;We ALWAYS plan for a contingency!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-plan-your-budget-well-in-advance">3. Plan your budget well in advance</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Table-setting-3.jpg" alt="Rhubarb kitchen table set dinner party" class="wp-image-6469" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Table-setting-3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Table-setting-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Table-setting-3-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Table-setting-3-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Decide what is the most important thing to you for this event.&nbsp;Is it the music, an act, the food, the drink?&nbsp;Quite a few customers opt to over-cater, and we don&#8217;t advise this.&nbsp;We take the time to get to know who we are looking after and work around their needs so rarely have any waste, nor do we have lots of food left over. Older generations generally eat less for example and so we often advise against huge portions and give advice on the level of protein.&nbsp;We also work hard to understand food preferences and (if they are not sure of any dietary requirements of guests coming) make absolutely sure that all guests can eat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-delegate">4. Delegate!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Service-2.jpg" alt="Waitress at party hosted by Rhubarb Kitchen Derbyshire" class="wp-image-6078" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Service-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Service-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Service-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Service-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Try and delegate as much as you can of your party planning to experts.&nbsp;Get the wine merchants to show you how they can match perfect wines to the perfect menu.&nbsp;Try and focus on as much planning of the experience as you can, rather than the actual doing &#8211; leave that to the experts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-taste-everything">5. Taste everything</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Burrata-starter-finishing-touches.jpg" alt="Rhubarb Kitchen making starters at dinner party" class="wp-image-6468" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Burrata-starter-finishing-touches.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Burrata-starter-finishing-touches-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Burrata-starter-finishing-touches-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Burrata-starter-finishing-touches-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Sit down with the people making your food and taste what they have to offer!&nbsp; Expect to pay a premium for the best caterers.&nbsp;They have tons of experience, knowledge and know how to make a party work. Look for friendly faces.&nbsp;Ask to see testimonials.&nbsp;Look at other sample menus. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-bathtubs-at-the-ready">6. Bathtubs at the ready!</h2>



<p>Hire glassware, ice bins and ice!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-make-way">7. Make way</h2>



<p>Think about the thoroughfare if you are having the event at home. How do guests come in?&nbsp;Where will they be fed?&nbsp;Is there room to move out of the way?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-if-you-can-t-stand-the-heat">8. If you can&#8217;t stand the heat&#8230;</h2>



<p>Get out of the kitchen! Consider moving your drinks station right out of the way of the kitchen &#8211; including the glassware.&nbsp;Build up and congestion around a kitchen island can lead to disgruntled guests and spilt food!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-go-wild-with-the-decs">9. Go wild with the decs</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Table-setting-2.jpg" alt="Table set at party hosted by Rhubarb Kitchen Derbyshire" class="wp-image-6077" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Table-setting-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Table-setting-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Table-setting-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Table-setting-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Decorations can be tastefully home-made using materials from your garden,&nbsp;or a local garden centre.&nbsp;Pinterest is a great starting point for ideas.&nbsp;Your catering company may also hire out table decorations and decorate your venue for you for an additional cost (we do).&nbsp;We also share Pinterest boards with our clients so they can drop images in of colour schemes or particular flowers they like. Attention to detail is important.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-nail-the-timing">10. Nail the timing</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Patisserie-finishing-touches.jpg" alt="Rhubarb Kitchen sprinkle icing sugar on desserts at dinner party" class="wp-image-6470" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Patisserie-finishing-touches.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Patisserie-finishing-touches-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Patisserie-finishing-touches-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Patisserie-finishing-touches-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Agree timings with everyone &#8211; all of your suppliers need to know timings so they can cost accurately and so there are no hidden surprises of bills arriving after the day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-11-dot-the-i">11. Dot the i</h2>



<p>Make sure your suppliers are insured! Ask to see certification and food hygiene details.&nbsp;This is often overlooked but you need to be sure that in the event of an accident or something getting broken, insurance is in place. We have extensive insurance to cover us in any home or at any venue, also covering our team and your guests.&nbsp;All of this is just as important as the food itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-12-get-invitations-out-early">12. Get invitations out early</h2>



<p>Expect to be ready to sign off on numbers at least two weeks before your party.&nbsp; All of your suppliers will want to finalise plans and orders.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p><em><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/rhubarb-kitchen-caterer-party-wirksworth-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rhubarb Kitchen</a>, North End, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4FG</em></p>


How to host the perfect party: 12 top tips

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