When celebrating your 50th birthday…

… do it in style!

Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering got to celebrate with Heather Fortune and her many friends and family members in a lovely private backyard bash a few weeks ago.

Naturally, there were multiple generations celebrating with the Heather, so the menu reflected a diversity of tastes, suitable for grandchildren, vegetarians, and neighbors with special food requirements.

Backyard tables were covered in crisp mint linens with lovely floral arrangements – those supplied by nature and those captured by vases. The weather cooperated, toasts were raised, the food was delicious (and sustainably sourced), and the band kept guests on their feet.

The celebration began at 6:30 with served hors d’oeuvres:

• Mini water melon bites with goat cheese, mint and fig balsamic
• Mini chicken Creole crepes
• Stuffed heirloom tomatoes with mozzarella and basil.

Dinner began with baby Romaine Caesar salad with shaved Parmesan, followed by an entrée choice:

• King ora salmon with saffron beurre blanc, and Indiana corn rissotto cake
• Pencil asparagus bundles festooned with micro flowers
• Hand carved aged Angus beef tenderloin with carmelized shallots and vincotta

...and for vegetarian guests:

• Roasted acorn squash stuffed with wild rice, cranberries and sofritto

Dessert was preceded by more toasts to the birthday gal by her family and good friends, after which a truly delightful English summer pudding with creme fraiche and mint was served. A perfect dessert for a late summer party.

As the sun set over the fence, grandfathers danced with granddaughters and old friends reconnected with those they hadn’t seen in years. It was truly a 50^th birthday to remember!