Feeding the Progressive Party

A good friend of mine from St. Louis emailed me yesterday. He and his partner have a beautiful 3-story, 19th century, Victorian row house. They have spent years restoring and decorating it back to its original and historical grandeur.

Whenever they have parties, people always want to tour the entire house so they decided to have a progressive dinner party. Normally, a progressive party starts with one course at one house and then the group moves to another house for each progressive course. In their case, they will move from room to room in the house. Since they really won't be able to sit down to eat at a table in each room, he contacted me for ideas of what and how to serve each course.

My suggestion was to start in the parlor closest to the front door and serve drinks and some appetizers like crostini with different toppings (sliced Roma tomato/mozzarella/basil and some sort of cheese spread topped with a shrimp) . Next, the guests will move to the library to enjoy a stationary salad crudités (vegetable display) with a couple of dressings for dips. As the guests move upstairs, serve individual hot or cold soup "sips" in shot glasses or coffee mugs served from a tray in the bedroom.

For the main course, set up a pasta station to order in the dining room. Get a couple of hot plates and offer penne and farfalle pastas, a red and a white sauce, meatballs, grilled chicken, peppers, grated cheese, etc. Everything can be precooked and people can select what they want in the entree. You can warm it up in an omelet pan on the hot plate.

Another option would be to do a carving station of ham, turkey or beef and serve with rolls and condiments to make little sandwiches. As a side, set up a mashed potato martini bar featuring mashed red and sweet potatoes in crock pots or chaffing dishes with a selection of butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, bacon, cinnamon sugar, honey butter and pecans. Scoop out their choice of potatoes into the martini glass and let them pick their toppings themselves.

For the conclusion of a great evening, set up a display of mini desserts, coffee and cordials in the kitchen, where the tour ends. Their progressive dinner party really sounds like fun. I think I am going to jump on a jet and join them!