Due to popular demand (ahem) here are some photos of the hen's party afternoon tea we held at my house a few weeks ago for my best friend from school. I think I had mentioned there was quite a lot of food; now you can see the evidence.
Erm...in case you're wondering (and who wouldn't?) the pirate ship centrepiece is due to the "Pirates of Penzance" theme for the afternoon. My father brought it home with him from Mauritius about 10 years ago, fully assembled and weighing a ton. The box was so big it couldn't fit in the boot of our big car! We've never had such a perfect oppotunity to show it off than this party. Yes, we were all dressed as pirates and wenches - treasure chest, cutlasses and all. :-)
Apologies for the blurry photo below. Looking at it later was a real 'oh, bugger' moment.
So, with my mum taking care of savouries, and with me on sweets creation, we produced:
*semidried tomatoes, fresh basil and bocconcini sticks (so easy! so good!)
*smoked salmon and herbed cream cheese sandwiches (v. popular!)
*Chicken & pistachio sandwiches (my fave)
*homemade sausage rolls
*homemade mini quiches*homemade salmon puffs (yum!)
*the now world famous hot cheese puffs
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*Chocolate chilli shortbread
*Brandy, orange & cardamom biscuits
*Lemon curd & blueberry tartlets
*Dark chocolate custard tarts
*Winter plum cake
*Coconut, macadamia & lime cake
*Chocolate Cloud cake
*Fresh strawberries
*Mountains of little tarts, cannolis and profiteroles from the incredible Brunetti pasticceria in Carlton (ohh! Those coffee profiteroles..!)
*A big white chocolate-shrouded cake also from Brunettis (not even touched!)
All washed down with litres of champagne, and buckets of tea and coffee. Yes, there were leftovers, but it's better to have too much than too little; and there were 25 people turning up!
All up, a huge success. And the male strip show and private karaoke room later in the night, were pretty damn enjoyable too! ;-)
Oh Niki, that looks amazing! You and your mum put so much effort into that spread. And do you know, when I saw the title, I thought it was a recipe for a savoury spread you had made for th e party! She must be a very special bride to have such a wonderful party. Wow!
ReplyDeleteThis looks divine, Niki! I am a sucker for all kind of tiny nibbles and your creations sound good. I am planning a Nordic Christmassy glögg and nibbles party in late November (as a follow-up to a very successful party last year with some 30 people!), and there may be some items from your menu that I can use, if you don't mind..
ReplyDeleteThough I'll probably skip the male strippers:)
Wow - all that for one party? You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow. It all looks professionally catered! Well done. I'm insanely jealous! Who cares about the blurry photos... I think it was more the mist of the calorific mirage! =)
ReplyDeleteThe food looks fantastic, of course, but what? Male strip show? That is getting pretty wild for a tea party, Niki. =)
ReplyDeletethe link to the male strip show pictures isnt working on my machine?
ReplyDeleteVery impressive spread Niki. And yeas the link to the male strippers doesn't work for me either.
ReplyDeleteHi Niki, this looks like one fantastic party! Well done! Thanks for sharing the photos :)
ReplyDeleteLol! I didn't actually include a link to the male strip show; I just boldfaced it so it would stand out. But I might go back right now and include a link just for your pleasure!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteha ha ha - Princes of the Night.
ReplyDeleteI better not delve too far into that site at work!
The bride is lucky to have you as her best friend. What attention to detail!
ReplyDeleteNiki,
ReplyDeleteThe spread looks fantastic! Your friend is a very lucky person.
Sandra
PS
Our cat, Jasper, sat mesmerised by the video clip of the Princes of the Night ... LOL
Niki - I was kidding. You do realise right?!
ReplyDelete