DIY Network

Spicy Salsa Party: Decorating Buffet Tables From "Weekend Entertaining" episode WKE-201

Host Jeanne Benedict shows you how to decorate your buffet table.

This party is rated 2 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult and is geared toward the skills of a frequent entertainer.

Hourly Breakdown

Total Prep Time -- 14 hours
Setting up Buffet -- 2 hours

Materials for Decorating Buffet Tables --

Round table
Rectangular table
Fabric flower candle holders
Red or teal floor length tablecloths and Mexican serapes
Brightly colored fabric vegetables like peppers and kale
Beverage pitchers
Serving platters
Bowls
1 round chafing dish
Terra cotta planter liners
Assorted baskets
Sombrero
Chili chains
Approximately 10 bricks
1 x 8 board, cut into two 4' lengths
Festive accessories

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Decorating the Buffet Tables

1. For the taco table, use a rectangular table. Use bricks and boards to create a stair-stepped area on the buffet (figure A).

2. You can also use a wooden crate as a riser. Cover the stair-stepped area and crate with serape striped rugs and colorful fabric .

3. Place a brick on one side of the crate and cover it. Place one of the rose petal candle holders on the crate and the other on a brick on the crate to make it look higher.

4. Use plastic plant trays that look like terra cotta (figure B) on the large buffet for all the taco fillings.

5. When using striped material, scrunch a piece of coordinating solid material and add it somewhere on the table.

6. Add one of the rose petal candle holders on the other side of the table on the upper corner.

7. Use the round table for the drinks, salsa and dessert (figure C).

   Expert Tip: If you are having a dinner party in your home and are serving only one kind of food, you want to use only one dinner plate per person. If you are serving different kinds of food and have more than one station, you need at least two plates per person.

8. To create a sophisticated margarita glass, rub lime all the way around the rim of the glass. Turn the glass upside down and dip it in a combination of salt, and the zest of lemon, lime and orange (figure D). Add a lime slice to the rim of the glass.

9. The host for this party provided a professional Salsa dance lesson for her guests.

Expert Tip: A great way to select music and have continuous music playing throughout your party is to have a five-disc CD changer so you can program which songs you want from each disc. Then, sit back and hit play and enjoy for hours!

RESOURCES :

Sophisticated Entertaining: Spirited Food for Grown-Up Parties
1557883459
Jeanne Benedict
(October, 2000)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HP Books

Whole Foods Market
Website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Salsa Dancing Information
Ken Baldwin
Salsa Instructor
222 S. Central Ave. #401
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 323-858-7948
E-mail: kenbaldwin@dancefish.com
Website: www.dancefish.com

Hillcrest Party Rentals
3507 Motor Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: 310-837-9009
Website: www.hillcrestparty.com

Jackalope
Website: www.jackalope.com

The Sophisticated Cookie: Baking with Spirits: The World's Best Cookies Made with Alcoholic Beverages
1557882940
Jeanne Benedict
(September, 1998)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HP Books

Celebrations: A Joyous Guide to the Holidays from Past to Present
1557883734
Jim McCann and Jeanne Benedict
(November, 2001)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HP Books

Nueva Salsa: Recipes to Spice It Up
0811836975
Rafael Palomino and Arlen Gargagliano
(April, 2003)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Chronicle Books

GUESTS :

Harry Schwartz
Culinary Expert
PO Box 1320
Yarmouth, ME 04096
Phone: 207-846-8881
E-mail: chefharry@chefharry.com
Website: www.chefharry.com

Cheryl Evanoff
Vice President, Regal Rents
6612 Shenandoah
Los Angeles, CA 90056
Phone: 310-529-0312
E-mail: Cheryl@regalrents.com

Jorge Lopez
Technical "WOW" Director
President
J and M Entertainment
26027 Huntington Lane, Units D and E
Valencia, CA 91355
Toll-free phone: 800-585-4235
E-mail: jorgel@jandmentertainment.com
Website: www.jandmentertainment.com

Jessica Bennington
Director of Catering
Dean and Deluca
560 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-226-6800
Email: catering@deandeluca.com
Website: www.deandeluca.com