Friday, April 27, 2012

Buy Meat Online! - cook a special meal on Mother's day


Mother's Day is an inner struggle for working children in Hong Kong - you want to give your beloved mom an incredible special surprise, however, your long working hours won't allow effective shopping by the stores' closing times. It's a blessing that there are e-catalogs and e-commerce for most of the things we need (altho the choices are not as comprehensive in HK as compared to the US) - at least it saves us that few hours walk after work spread out in 5 days in search for a perfect gift :P

To celebrate Mother's Day, nothing is better than cooking a special meal for your special her. If a 'heart-shaped' beef steak could win the heart of your romantic valentine, a 'Sesame and Pepper seared Tenderloin' would definitely win the heart of your food-savvy mother.

Sesame and Pepper seared Tenderloin (Serving 4)

Photo & recipe provided by Pacific Gourmet Hong Kong

Ingredients:

4 Fillet Steaks by Donald Russell – 200 grams each
20g Sesame Seeds
5g Black Pepper (crushed)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
10g Butter


For the Leek and Cream Sauce:


400g Leek (white part only- cut into thin slices)
100ml Double Cream
100ml Moredough Chicken Stock
50mls White Wine
10g Millel Parmesan (grated)


Method:
1. Begin by making the leek and cream sauce. Place the leek, cream, stock and wine into a pan and bring to the boil.
2. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, then add the parmesan and season to taste with salt. Set aside and keep warm.
3. Allow the meat to come to room temperature and pat dry with kitchen paper.
4. Heat the oil and butter together in a large frying pan..
5. Combine the sesame seeds and pepper and press the mixture onto each side of the tenderloins, covering to your liking.
6. For medium rare; cook each tenderloin over a high heat for 3 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the second side. Rest for 4 minutes in a warm place before serving.
7. Arrange the rested medallions on preheated plates with the leek and cream sauce.
8. Serve with steamed rice or boiled new potatoes.
(Recipe by Pacific Gourmet)

Buying Meat Online - Meat supplier recommendations

There is rising number of online butchers in recent years. Here are a few which provide one-stop service from choosing the meat, the cut, the condiments, the recipes, to finally the delivery straight to your home or office address. 

- $$$ - 
  • Same day delivery from Mon-Fri;
  • Clear website layout of cuts and styles; 
  • You choose the dishes you want to cook instead of pieces of meat; 
  • Safe vacuum packaging, available to deliver even to your office 
Categories: Meat, Game, Seafood, Bakery, Pasta, Sausages, Cheese, Fresh Produce - Source mostly from Australia 

- $$ - 
  • Wide choice of meat cuts and other products;
  • Decent quality with reasonable price
Categories: Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Cheese, Seasonings, Wine, Party Food - Source mostly from Australia

Hing Lung Food Place Limited
- $ - 
  • Lower minimum order to get free delivery; 
  • Provides food marinade service;
  • Good price for party level quality if not looking for top-tier quality
Categories: Meat, Seafood, Hotpot & BBQ food - International source


Sunday, April 15, 2012

Super sweet popcorn recipes - Pop your movie night on



Sugared-up popcorn is a fabulous party treat – it’s easy to make, easy to serve, and everyone loves it! I was inspired by the store-bought watermelon popcorn in yesterday’s party post to find some party-worthy recipes you can make at home. Here are my faves – salty, sweet, and perfect for snacking:
1. Cinnamon bun popcorn (cinnamon caramel corn with pecans and white chocolate) via Our Best Bites
2. Pretty pretty princess pink party popcorn (made with white chocolate) via Erin Cooks
3. Popcorn brittle (caramel, M&M’s & peanuts) via Simple and Delicious
4. S’mores popcorn via Nest of Posies
5. Chocolate & peanut butter popcorn (I’d call it Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup popcorn!) via Brown Eyed Baker
6. Popcorn trail mix with dried fruit and nuts via GoodLife Eats
PS. If you need a primer on how to make fresh-popped popcorn on the stove (super cheap and easy!), check out the perfect popcorn recipe at Simply Recipes.

Re-posted from: Super sweet popcorn recipes | Chickabug

Thursday, April 12, 2012

New toy! Pin! Pin! Pin!


 Hi! Today I am not gonna talk no party stuff - but another passion of mine - Social Media stuff :D

As you see this lovingly crafted 'Pinterest' logo on top, yes!
Pinterest has landed on PartyStuff Hong Kong :DD 
It's gonna be a new wave in the social media network (Like!)

Once you have signed up an account, you could grab and pin all kind of lovely pictures on internet or capture your own to share on your pin board. If you used to like photo album sites like Webshots or Picassa --- Pinterest will definitely impress you better with its nice-looking interface.

The reasons why I am loving Pinterest are that:

1. It looks good
2. It's super easy to use
3. It could link to Facebook, Twitter, blogs and websites easily which makes so much more fun using it

Click on this cute button to see what happens! ---> Follow Me on Pinterest

Have fun and enjoy pinning :D

Friday, April 13, 2012

After a day using the Pinterest, here's my user review:

Great functions:
1. 'Bookmarklet' -- A programmed bookmark button you could use in phone app and internet browser to directly pin pictures from the internet page you are on
2. Category -- you could assign a category to each of your board so that your pictures from that board could appear in that category search results of people looking for it
3. Followers -- As there is minimal personal info involved in the Pinterest account, people tend to feel much freer to follow, like and re-pin your pictures to their own board, it's great to attract audience to your source website if you pin photos from your own site ;)

Downside:
1. Server failure -- I encountered frequent server connection failure of Pinterest on iPhone which was quite frustrating, hope they would improve on that
2. Can't pin from Facebook and Youtube -- Some of our greatest pictures are on Facebook...being unable to pin from there is definitely inconvenient, that means we could only generate organic pictures or re-pin...

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy PASTEL Easter! - Trends you must know in Spring/Summer 2012




How are you spending your long Easter weekend? Beside making sure you are well rested and pampered, I want to make sure you have something interesting to read from PartyStuff HK :)

Hong Kong people aren't fond of celebrating Easter itself in general, however, we celebrate fashion at all times!! Yay! Taking advantage of Easter, let me try to uncover your love in the light-sided spectrum of pastel colours.

 

 

What are pastel colours and their meanings?


Pastel colours generally refer to light colours like the shades of red, blue, purple, green....etc.  They are common spring colours and their symbolic meaning in Easter are rebirth, new growth, and new beginnings.


Here's your video guide on How to make Easter Eggs:



Have you taken note of the ingredients yet? Don't forget to support the environment by using natural dyes - just a friendly reminder ;)

How about some Pastel party occasions?


Pastel colours are popular in occasions like weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers due to its light and soothing qualities. You could input so much imagination in decorating your party venue in this bright yet colorful scheme - balloons, flags, table clothes, frames, ribbons, props, food, drinks...as far as your imagination could reach! It's simple and you will find its ability to create so many nice memorable photos afterward!



Photos: thesweetestoccasion.com





With the uprising acceptance and even popularity in using food dyes in pastry kitchens in Hong Kong, it's not hard to find cakeries which could custom-make your desired design and colours of cakes for your special occasion. Check out the following stores for pastel ideas:

Party supplies: 

Simply Love: http://www.simplylove.com.hk/
City'Super: http://www.citysuper.com.hk

DIY baking supplies:

Phil Baking: http://www.twinsco.com
Baking Warehouse: http://www.bakingwarehouse.com

Cakeries:

Complete Deelite: http://completedeelite.com/v2/
Sweet Secret: http://www.sweetsecrets.com.hk



Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion in Pastel


As a side topic - Talking about fashion, ladies & gents, according to Vogue, the pastel trend is back this year! It's time to stock up your closet with a pastel touch!
by Berberry Prorsum - Vogue, 2012
by Mulberry - Vogue, 2012

by Tommy Hilfiger - Vogue, 2012

by Valentino - Vogue, 2012

 Who wouldn't listen to Vogue? So, pastel is going to be a sought-after trend these seasons, even for party decorations! How about throwing a pastel fashion party with your girl friends clinging mimosa flutes in your Easter afternoon?


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

I love to play with food!!



All foods are natural beauties...all they need is to be unveiled by human creativity.
(Photo: Catering Magazine - Jan/Feb2012)

Native Carrot (Photo credit: oddee.com)
Food Carving Pieces (Photo: Catering Magazine - Jan/Feb2012)

 If you don't feel confident enough for professional production, you may consider these :)
Ice-cream in party mood (Photo: theberry.com)

Sausage Octopus (Photo: theberry.com)
Monster's lunchbox (Photo: theberry.com)
Crabby croissant (Photo: theberry.com)
Sunny pancake (Photo: theberry.com)


Feeling adventurous? Try this...!
Froggie lunchbox (Photo: Sakurako Kitsa)

How could these ideas possibly convert into party in action? 

Ever since the "Web2.0 Age" (our period of extensive application of interactive websites and social media), people are used to take initiative to 'discover' instead of accepting information one-way. This mentality applies even to Catering. 'A Define Event' in USA caught this psychological sweet spot of people and set a "Graffiti Station" at an event in hope to impress guests. 

And it worked!

Guests were happy and had so much fun painting and building their own plate. 
Brushes and squeeze bottles filled with sauces
Graffiti in action!
Food components could be changed according to theme
 (Photos: Catering Magazine, 2012)

They look amazing right, don't they!! If you would like to make your guests open up their minds for some creativity, try this next time! :D

Art supplies could be stocked up at:

Artland: http://www.artland.com.hk/Artland/yi_lin_Artland.html
              3/F Lockhart Centre 301-307, Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
              Tel: 2511 4845

Craft Supplies: http://www.craftsupplies.hk/
                         G/F, 173 Sai Yee Street, Mongkok
                         Tel: 2392 0969

For catering supplies, you may find a number of amazing stores along Shanghai Street (Between Yau Ma Tei and Jordan MTR Station!)


檢視較大的地圖

 Thanks for reading!

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Sunday, March 25, 2012

How to "Wow" Party guests?


Every event has its 'cause' to gather a particular group of people. For organizers, they look at participation. But for party planners, we want to make sure all the guests enjoy the most out of the party.

Here comes your mission - try to input a "Wow" factor no matter how boring the theme/ cause may sound. You will be surprised how synergistic it gets to enlighten the ambiance of the party.

Here are what you could work on...hope you find the tips useful :)

1. An interesting theme

It's a basic requirement. From award ceremony, annual dinner to festival gala, you need to give your guests a heads up of what to expect. Give a 'theme' to your event in addition to your event title, e.g. "Red Carpet Glam Night" or "Blue & Glitters" -- gimmicks are always interesting.

Be consistent with your visuals, invitation cards, e-mail communication (you could even attach an imageboard to make sure every one is getting the same idea), venue decoration, accessories, cake design (see my previous post about 'corporate cupcakes'- March 23,2012), music, on-stage tone of voice, souvenir giveaway etc.

If you wish to set a dress code, try not to go too over the top and make guests feel 'uncomfortable' coming to the party since invitation - esp. for corporate events that involves an age range from 20 to 60. A mild and achievable theme is good enough for every one to dress in unity - of coz. exception applies to a relatively niche group ;)

2. Venue matters

The venue could tell half of the theme, whether it's grand, formal, relaxed, fun, active, gimmicky...apart from hotel ballrooms or clubhouses, there are actually a lot of restaurants, cafes and bars in town that could be rented out for private parties. So, next time when you have found a nice cozy place for dinner or an after-drink, talk to the restaurant manager to see if the place could accommodate private events. Your guests won't refuse to go somewhere different and interesting.

Ideas: Beach bar, cigar lounge, Italian restaurant, Japanese fusion restaurant, Winery, fashion boutique and more..


The 8th Estate Winery @ Ap Lei Chau

 3. Delightful little things

If budget won't allow you to have an Oscar scale production, you may consider small items that go around the theme and delightful at the same time. Glittery hats, home-production theme video, a red carpet photo spot, themed canapes will all do.
Oscar party canape (Photo credit: International Business Times Inc.)

4. The MC

A good MC on stage is able to embrace the atmosphere while ensuring the flow goes as planned. If you are not hiring a professional MC, make sure the appointed one is well prepared (v.v. important!) of the flow (rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!) - I do mean every detail of it as if he/she has gone through the event over and over again for at least 5 times.The MC should know the rundown, speakers' names and background, music, the menu and act as a timekeeper. The MC could throw out lighthearted jokes without embarrassing and outshining the organizer/ speaker.

5. Games to warm up/ 'wake up'

A little ice-breaking game to warm up participants is nice to have. A "wake-up" game during the event could also bring the spirits of getting full/ bored/ tipsy/ overly talkative guests together. The MC or a high ranking member of the organizer could help to host. A toast by an organizing key person will also do to grasp attention and gather lost souls.

What else...?

There are limitless ways to enhance participation and maximize the fun of a party. Party ideas don't come up all in one time right when you need to organize one. Keep a look out for ideas in everyday life and these small ideas might come together to make an awesome party one day!

Enjoy party planning!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Cupcake fever is contagious!




Cakes and desserts have been all-time favorites for foodies in Hong Kong. Highly influenced by American culture, the bubble up of cupcakes in recent years is grasping attention of party throwers.  

Why? 'Cause cupcakes are simply so cute and creative yet tasty!


Cupcakes are gaining popularity to appear in weddings, private parties, company events...etc. One good thing about is that they look good and they are easy to be shared without much hassle.

Many cupcake shops could accommodate personalized designs so you just need to talk to them and they will visualize then turn your idea into great tastes.

 After all, the very thing every party planner wants to see is smiling faces of guests filled with appreciation, right?

Red Velvet cupcake @ Sweet Secrets

Corporate cupcakes @ Complete Deelite











Party planner's blog for brainstorming, hard facts and reviews


Hi everyone! So excited to open this blog! I am a full-time marketer; meanwhile a part-time foodie and party-goer (It's hard to hide this dark-side of human nature, so I chose to magnify it and make it useful :p)

This blog aims to be a source for party planners/ foodies/ social people to learn some new trends about party ideas, culinary breakthroughs and nice social places in Hong Kong. 

Photo: Party Cupcake Ideas
Ready to slip your party shoes on and go make some awesome parties? 

Enjoy!