Tailgate Quick Tips

Invite your family, old friends or new ones and share an afternoon of good food, fun and fresh air.There are always too many reasons not to stop and smell the roses, host a tailgate party that gives everyone a reason to celebrate the season.

• Be creative and practical with your menu.

• Don't make your guests balance a beverage, a dish, utensils, etc.Serve an all-in-one dish, such as our Balsamic Chicken and Pasta Primavera Salad , which includes your meat, veggies and salad/side dish. It's quick and easy to serve and eat.

• Make all ingredients bite size, prepare ahead and pre-pack in fun containers which can be easily held in one hand.Attach a festively patterned napkin and a fork to the container and display attractively as your focal point so guests can literally grab their meal in 2 seconds and get right back to the party.

• The bonus for you, no messy clean up.Store any leftover containers in a cooler, when it's time to pack up, you're all ready to go.Better yet, offer as a "boxed snack" to guests with a long car ride home.

MENU

Pita Crisps and Red Pepper Hummas

Blue Corn Chips with Mango Salsa

Flat Pretzels with Honey Mustard

Butternut Squash Soup Shots

Balsamic Chicken & Pasta Primavera Salad

Artisan Foccacia Bread

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Triple Chocolate Brownies

Seasonal Candy

COCKTAIL

Capture the spirit of a fall favorite in your signature cocktail.

Welcome guests with a Candy Apple Cocktail.

This simple combination of apple cider and butterscotch schnapps served up (warm or cold depending upon the temperature of the day) in a cup or mug signals the start of the fall festivities.

Cider can be served alone as an alternative beverage.

GAME PLAN

Welcome guests with a drink.Once everyone has had a chance to relax, offer warm soup shots to your guests. Keep soup warm in a thermal containerand serve in shot size disposable cups. Arrange soup shots on a tray with breadsticks and personally serve your guests, giving you the opportunity to connect again with each guest.Your guests are sure to appreciate this personal touch.

Have your buffet fully set prior to your guests' arrival. Stack Chinese food takeout containers in a picnic basket or simply in a pyramid.After your guests have enjoyed a cocktail and appetizers,prompt them to help themselves to the main fare by opening a container or two and displaying with a piece of focaccia bread topper.

TABLESCAPE

In this case we'll call it a "Tailgatescape".Light your "tailgatescape" on fire by drawing from autumn's natural beauty.Start with nature's palate, using shades of red, orange, yellow,brown and green and introduce autumnal elements gathered from nature.Your "tailgatescape" will complement your surroundings, naturally enhancing the beauty of your party. Design or buy a centerpiece featuring flowers from this same autumnal palate, stick with the more natural (muted) shades - branches dotted with berries, magnolia leaves and other greens further capture the essence of autumn.