I am going over the list of food / menu for Ford EDSA’s forthcoming 20th anniversary next month. I want to finish this by tomorrow so that the caterer will have ample time to prepare for our party.
We initially wanted to have a super simple gathering with just us. But then again, we have to invite also business partners and associates, Ford officials and a few of our close friends. When I estimated the number of people, that would also reach a hundred to 150. Super simple party means 20-50 people. To have one hundred fifty guests is by no means simple.
Inviting people over is actually a large imposition on their part. They will brave the metropolis traffic, stand for hours patiently listening and watching the program. They go home feeling tired, with rayuma, and sleepy.
We must make their visit to our showroom worth their while. The food does not have to be fine dining but guests must be satisfied. We don’t want to be the talk of the town by serving our guests crappy food. I’m planning to serve heavy cocktails, not a formal dinner with tables and chairs. We want the affair to be casual, relax and less restricted.
Drinks are also important. Uso ngayon ang single malt, so there must be a few bottles. Some guys are mang-iinom kaya there must be scotch whisky, brandy, tuba, lapad, what have you. Some prefer white wine, red whine, blue, black, double black. No champagne. I don’t serve champagne at big parties. I just find it pretentious. I also do not want to stress out counting how many bottles we’re losing. Dom Perignon and Moet & Chandon don’t reach guests’ glasses. They usually end up under the table, hidden by the waiters and drivers. Even if I assigned someone to watch, when the party begins, the person in-charge gets distracted and abandons his post.
Serving champagne and more expensive liquor are better in intimate dinners at home. Life is becoming more complicated and sophisticated. Nung araw sa Binangonan, the choices were gulaman at sago o kaya buko juice. Pag affluent merong pineapple juice, syempre Del Monte. Ngayon meron pang tea or coffee. People ask for so many different kinds of tea. Dati Sa Binangonan, hihingi lang ng inumin bago umuwi ang guests. Ang ibig sabihin ng inumin ay tubig. Not Moet & Chandon.
My daughter reminded me not to forget the beef salpicao. It’s a must. She loves this dish. She’s Binibining Salpicao.
