Styled by Tam Ashworth of Isari Flower Studio + Event Design, catering by Courtney Gallagher Isaac and Terri Wedell of Waters Fine Foods, calligraphy by Twinkle & Toast
Get the Look:
The Menu: Truffle kuri squash croquette, duck liver mousse, herb Gruyère cheese biscuits, lobster uni bisque, winter beet trio salad, Brandt beef hanger steak, chanterelle mushroom risotto, Jaime Farms heirloom carrots
The Drink: Select wine pairings for each course
The Table: Gilded china and flatware, pressed linens, and varied stemware in slender silhouettes create a truly formal setting. For décor and texture, Tam Ashworth used an assortment of fresh white flowers, Sputnik stars, gold wire prisms, and frosted pinecones. For ambient lighting, she topped candleholders of varying heights and styles with a blend of gold and white tapers.
Tip: Tam says, “Fill a gold globe with tall towering Nerine lilies for some extra height. A bold gathering of holiday white amaryllis and magnolia foliage, along with black privet berries, is a good way to infuse a touch of glam into any table.” (Items available at Isari)
Traditional Elegance
Traditional Elegance
Impress guests with this Eastern Star cocktail. Shake 2 ounces of almond-infused chai tea, 1 ounce of bourbon, and an egg in a shaker for 1 minute. Add ice and shake for another 30 seconds. Strain into three small glasses. Garnish with freshly shaved orange zest and a star anise.
Traditional Elegance
Waters Fine Catering Full Dinner Menu, Plus Wine Pairings
Try a version of this at your own holiday gathering—and don’t forget the wine!
Tray Passed Tastes:
Kona Kampachi Crudoâ¨Black ‘Crack’ Cone – Togarashi Crème Fraîche – Charred Shishito – Ruby Radish Sprout
*Pair with: Weingut Pfeffingen Estate, Dry Riesling, Pfalz, Germany
Truffle Kuri Squash Croquette – VEGAN Kale Parsley Salsa Verdeâ¨- Asian Spoon
Duck Liver Mousseâ¨Hazelnut + Thyme Biscuit – Pomegranate Pear Jam – Micro Mustard Blooms
Dinner Baked:
Herb Gruyere Cheese Biscuits Multigrain Breadâ¨Waters’ Black Olive Tapenade Plugra Butter, Black Sea Salt
Soup:
Lobster Uni Bisqueâ¨Sweet Lobster and Local Sea Urchin, Rich Stock with a Hint of Cream, Salmon Roe, Chives
*Pair with: Domaine Costal, “Vaillons” Chablis, France
Greens:
Winter Beet Trio Salad
â¨Suzie’s Farm Organic Beets: Roasted Ruby, Chiogga and Golden, McGrath Farms’ Red Hill Mustard Greens, Toasted Pistachios, Di Stefano Burrata, Fig Anise Croutons
*Pair with: Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo, Il Mimo, Nebbiolo Rosato, Colline Novaresi, Piedmont, Italy
Plate:
Brandt Beef Hanger Steakâ¨
12-Hour Aromatics Marinade, Open Fire Grilled, Served with Marinade Reduction with Zinfandel, Brittany Gris Sea Salt, Tarragon
Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto
â¨Creamy Italian Arborio Rice, Sautéed in Butter, Slowly Stirred in Light Mushroom Stock and Finished with Delicate Chanterelle Mushrooms, Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese, and Fresh Herbs
Jaime Farms’ Heirloom Carrots
â¨Black Knight, White Satin, Chantaney Red, Fresh Herbs
*Pair with: Tofanelli, Zinfandel, Napa Valley, CA
Pastry + Confections
Apple Cider Beignetsâ¨
Toasted Oat Clusters – Maple Butternut ‘Dip’
Blood Orange – Hibiscus Bitters Macaron
Brown Butter Panna Cottaâ¨
Caramel Corn – Bourbon Vanilla Bean Gelee
Hazelnut Chocolate Pot-de-Crème
â¨Rich and Creamy Gianduja Hazelnut and Chocolate Pot-de-Crèmeâ¨
*Pair with: The Ojai Vineyard, Viognier Ice Wine, CA
Traditional Elegance
More tips from Tam Ashworth of Isari Floral Studio + Event Design
Make simple glass vases even more intriguing by adding blooms inside and adding pine needles to the mix. Ranunculus are a wonderful floral to use for this project.
A bold gathering of holiday white amaryllis and magnolia foliage along with black privet berries are a good way to infuse a touch a glam to any table setting.
Traditional Elegance
More Holiday Looks:
Traditional Elegance
