Private Dinner Party, Ruby Wedding Anniversary Celebration at Saskia's and Chris'

May 02, 2015

"Thank you for a truly exquisite meal to celebrate my parents 40th wedding anniversary. Each course was beautifully presented and just delicious. Best meal we have ever had. You made it a very special event. Thank You!" Saskia Van Lier

This weekend has been amazingly busy with some fantastic Dinner Parties and on the Friday I had the huge pleasure of providing some decadent canapes and a further eight delicious courses to help celebrate a very special 40th Wedding Anniversary. A few weeks before the Dinner Party date, I visited Saskia, Chris and the rest of the family at their home in Chandlers Ford, Southampton to have a chat about logistics on the night and most importantly, the decisions on food! ;) It was then really exciting to be given free range with the menu, surprising everyone on the evening with some exciting and innovative dishes that would suit all. The whole evening was a fabulous experience and one of my top Dinner Parties to date, with the in-house entertainment including flaming napkins at the table, across the hallway and all the way into the kitchen, subsequent noisy smoke alarms, broken champagne glasses and plenty of tears and laughter!! Each course was served smoothly through the night over about 3 hours, each plate being loved by all, but I am fairly confident the top favourites were my Classic Beef Fillet Wellington and my Trio of Desserts :)

Menu

Canapes:

Chicken Satay, Soy Ginger, Honey, Cashew, Sesame and Chilli Butter,

x x x

Salmon Sushi Maki, Cucumber, Spring Onion,

x x x

Bruschetta, Chilli Lemon Cumin spiced Hummus,

x x x

Wild Mushroom and Truffle Soup, Truffle Biscotti and toasted Walnuts,

x x x

Pressed Duck and Black Pudding Terrine, Serrano Ham,
Spiced Pear Chutney, Dijon Mustard, Balsamic,

x x x

Vodka cured Salmon, Pickled Cucumber, Spring Onion,
Shot of Cucumber Vodka,

x x x

Crispy re-fried Confit of Pork Belly,
Burnt Onion Ketchup, Pear Brunoise,

x x x

Mango and Lime Sorbet,

x x x

Beef Fillet wellington, Wild Mushroom Duxelle, Parma Ham, Pastry,
Red Win Gravy.
Triple cooked Chips, roasted Carrots, Green Beans,

x x x

Trio of Desserts:
Strawberry and Almond Crumble, Vanilla Ice-Cream
x x x

White Chocolate, Fresh Mint and Pistachio Parfait
x x x
Dark Chocolate and Cherry Brandy Fondant, Sticky Toffee Pudding Ice-Cream,

x x x

Petit Fours.