When honoring the “guest of honor,” it is a lovely gesture to have a decorative element, either as ornamentation on the dining room table or as some aspect of the event, to complement your guest. Even something as subtle as a favorite variety of flowers, or the cuisine you know the “guest of honor” adores, will make them feel regaled.
One of the most resplendent, private dinner parties I have attended was hosted by dear friends in honor of Baron Roberts of Belgravia. Andrew Roberts is an award-winning British historian and the exceptionally notable biographer of Napoleon and Winston Churchill. The elegant evening was divine, but the dessert was sans pareil. Lord Robert's latest tome, King George III, The Last King of America, was superbly and realistically re-created in… chocolate! One lifted the book's cover to discover there was a colorful, epicurean dessert inside. Truly a stunning gourmet creation, one that all the guests will remember fondly, especially the “guest of honor!”
I offered my pink fountain pen, with it’s pink ink, to Andrew to inscribe his book. He said, “That’s a first, signing in pink ink!” Then, I read what he wrote! A gift book was given to each couple by the hosts.
We hosted a birthday dinner in honor of a dear friend, Tita. We both lived in Taiwan once when we were young. Tita holds a doctorate in Asian Art History, taught at Yale University and Trinity College, and sits on several museum boards. Can you guess what theme inspired me for the evening? A Chinese theme! We informed the guests in advance, and they surprised us by wearing Asian-themed attire, which added to the festive atmosphere of joviality.
With an appreciation for antique Asian porcelain and art, Stuart and I have collected various Chinese pieces, some of which I inherited from my parents. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt as I shop around various rooms at Fox Hall to see what I can find to enhance a dinner party theme. When I discovered a box filled with Mummy's (unused) crystal perfume bottles with pagoda-carved tops, I decided to use them as soy sauce holders! I placed them intermittently between guests’ plates. Repurpose what you have, or begin to collect with the idea of repurposing.
This was a birthday dinner for a dear friend, Melinda Sullivan, whose house was featured on my television series “You Are Cordially Invited.” She owns the largest privately-owned collection of Du Paquier porcelain, and commissioned three stunning reference books written by the top porcelain experts in the world. She created the “Connecticut a la Carte Cookbook” for the Junior League of Hartford. Together, all four books came together, along with her love of King Charles Spaniels, to create a centerpiece in her honor.
Xx
Holly
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