Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Anatomy of a Wild Game Dinner

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. As you consider your own philanthropic opportunities, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.
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Tonight is the premier edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "Let's Dish".  So excited to become a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

On March 9, we were one pair of 9 host couples who sponsored a wild game dinner for about 130-150 guests.  Our dinner was held in the home of one of the couples, and we gathered on the prior Thursday to set up for our party.  Have china, will travel...

Linens and silver...



Menu cards, Votives...check.




Sterling Flatware... 

...and china...

 ...Check.

Handpainted flutes for Brandy Ice Dessert...

Tablescloths... 

...more silver...

...and extra chairs...Check.  Ready to roll.

Things are unloaded, and we're ready to organize for our evening of fun.

 



Tablecloths are in place, and we've begun to place the centerpieces....this is a magnificent home for a party!

 The long breakfast room table has been moved to the dining room, and a large round table has been set up in its place.  It will hold silverware/napkins, appetizers, and breads.

I ordered the camo cocktail napkins online.  What do you think?...Camo and toile...I'm thinking that it's the new trend look for Spring.

This gorgeous loggia will be closed to the night air once the party starts...and a roaring fire will welcome more guests to dine at the tables.  They'll also be covered with the toile cloths.  There was more seating in the family room, but I didn't end up with any pics to share...sigh.


 I can't remember who made these.  One of the other hostesses provided them for our dinner.  Aren't they beautiful!




I made another run to bring back the Heron and other decoys for the tables....Check.

 Waiting for the game entrees to arrive tomorrow evening.

 Friday evening, at last. The guests will arrive in just over an hour.  The hostesses are beginning to bring in their contributions to our Wild Game Dinner.  

What a dining room!! 
 
Additional seating in the living room...

Some guests gathered on the couches and chairs to visit while dining...


Check.

The long table that you see in the center is the breakfast room table...

The three square tables are actually the dining room table.  They can be used as one long table for 16, or broken up for more intimate seating.  Each square table will seat 8 people.  This is one of my favorite ideas for a dining table...so many great options for seating guests.

We're ready for our friends to come through the door...

The office has been converted into a wet bar for the evening.

 Big Bird is ready for the fun to commence!

So many amazing Wild Game recipes.
 
   I shared my "signature salad" recipe for one of the hostesses to prepare.


Some appetizers...on the bar in the family room.



...More appetizers on the table in the breakfast room...the empty dish to the left will soon hold Duck Eggrolls.  The pedestal will be filled with bread.


The hunters thought that this was really cool....I could have lived quite well without it.



Making last minute preparations.  That's Sweet Mister across the room in his "Camo" grilling apron.  He's just finished grilling his Dove Diablo.  He makes me smile!



Italian Venison Stew was passed to guests as an appetizer...Cups and demitasse spoons were the perfect combination...Easy to eat while standing and visiting.


Sweet Mister's "Dove Diablo"...


Here's the Venison Stew.  I don't even like venison, and this was fantastic!  I asked for the recipe.




Enthusiastic guests...
...Plus hard working hostesses...and an abundance of delicious food...

My Creamy Baked Pheasant Spaghetti.




Pun intended.


What's a wild game dinner without Wild Rice...lots of Wild Rice!


Pheasant Paprikash


No one went home hungry!


The Cuban Roasted Pig was one of my favorites!  So tender and tasty.




..And the fun has begun!!



Everyone had Brandy Ice for dessert...and then we found out that one of the gentlemen guests had made and brought a double batch of incredibly delicious Bread Pudding with a delectable Brandy Sauce...
Who could resist?  There was a whole lot of "straightening the edges" going on after dinner.  Have you ever done that ?

The last of the guests left after midnight.  It was a great party, and I "napped" much of Saturday!  We all agreed that we look forward to inviting friends for another Game Dinner next year.  Let me know if you're passing through, and I'll put you on our list.






Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of March, I think of early Spring evenings that are perfect for entertaining friends with a sumptuous dinner.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!



You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!



Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

39 comments:

  1. What an event - I'm sure that the invitations must be much sought-after. I loved all the little details, but can't quite believe the amount of work necessary to pull it all off! Well done!

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  2. Wow I'm exhausted just reading about it..but honestly what a dinner event! Everything looks fantastic and delicious!! That is some dining room and all those beautiful tablecloths!! You must have worked on this for weeks! Hope the men folk appreciate all your hard work! The scheddy balls made me laugh... too funny! You ladies and hostesses are very talented indeed!
    Miss Bloomers

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  3. I just loved reading about this and seeing it all! Thank you so much for sharing your pictures and commentary, Cherry Kay. It amazes me to think of how smooth it all looks for 150 people!!! You all are so organized.

    Francie

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  4. Cherry Kay, this is absolutely fabulous. I think I would have crashed and burned right afterwards. What a magnificent home in which to have this event. It's fabulous with all the open areas. The toile and camo did make me chuckle! You are certainly a hostess with the mostest! Organization, beautiful dishes, silver and wonderful venues in which to use your pretties! Well done indeed! xo marlis

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  5. Wow, what a great evening! The attention to detail just shines!! The decor is just gorgeous; and the guests appear to be enjoying themselves thoroughly!! What a beautiful layout!

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  6. WOW! What a great home to host a party. What a lot of hard work too. Looks like fun...
    XO Cindy

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  7. WOW! Beautiful setting...that fireplace is gorgeous.
    I am not big on wild game, but I have to say that food looks delicious.

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  8. Oh my goodness, it all looked absolutely yummy! How fun that must have been! So much hard work went into that party, including schlepping all that "stuff" back and forth to the hostess site. If only I were coming through!!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Miss Mindy

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  9. What an amazing event. The food sounds so interesting and the set up was spectacular. Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us.

    - The Tablescaper

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  10. Incredible post! I was captivated by the idea of a wild game dinner, the home, the amount of food, the amount of guests, the amount of space... I am so happy you posted this. What a rare treat! Where did all those beautiful tablecloths come from and those substantial chairs!!!!
    This is one of my most favorite posts. My husband would have loved this dinner... and so would I.
    Yvonne

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  11. We have attended wild game dinners, none as beautifully elegant as this one.

    Incredible event and post!

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  12. Wow, that looks like an amazing party! Just beautiful. Your attention to detail is superb. My dad was a hunter, so I ate venison, dove and wild boar throughout my entire childhood.

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  13. Oh my!! This is fantastic! It seems like an incredible amount of work, I think because it is late here and I'm tired, but the food is amazing. I like the idea of the cups and demitasse spoons for appetizers! Could do without the head too...That table is quite clever coming apart into three. It looks like a wonderful evening. Linda

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  14. WOW! This looks AMAZING! How wonderful to be a part of an event like that! The house is perfect for hosting so many people and what a terrific job you did making everything nice for the meal. Absolutely delicious looking food! It was fantastic to be able to see all these pics of how the evening progressed - thanks for sharing!

    DD

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  15. How wonderful it all looks! I had to laugh at the hunter's favorite addition of the boar's head. I would have been able to do without it too, but it sure completed the table.

    The hostesses outdid themselves. You put the "entertaining" in the women in this one for sure, Cherry Kay.

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  16. What a wonderfully organized, talented group of hostesses! This was an incredible event! Well done! This home is lovely and perfect for hosting a crowd. Thanks for sharing all the details. Visiting from Let's Dish.

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  17. Wow! What an amazing home, and and amazing event. Everyone looks like they have thoroughly enjoyed it. Love all the details. Thanks for sharing these great pictures!

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  18. This is amazing! I am taking my ipad to the hair salon so I can study it while I get my color done. It warrants a half hour at least!
    Thanks for linking up to Let's Dish, every Wednesday at 7! Hope to see you there every week with one of your creations!

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  19. Wow! What an amazing event! I'm exhausted just reading about it. The tables look beautiful, and the food looked amazing! Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Whoa, Nellie!!!! Now THIS is a house! Geez Louise...what a magnificent space in which to hold this dinner!!! I love looking at the inside of people's homes, and this was a real visual treat! As for the food and the decor and all the intense preparation that went into this....YIKES!!! You guys worked your tail feathers off! You deserved to nap on Saturday!!!!!! I am not a lover of wild game for eating (and there's be NO WAY I'd be going anywhere even CLOSE to those schweddy balls!!!), but this is an evening I would not be able to pass up! Two very enthusiastic thumbs up to you and all the hostesses (and let's not forget the cooks!) for this incredible party!!!!!

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  21. What a visual feast! It is simply stunning. Your food looks absolutely delicious.
    Please share the recipes some day...I battle to cook venison.
    Thank you so much for sharing.
    Shel

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  22. WOW!! Gorgeous from the table settings to the food ... My Father was an avid hunter and he often hosted game themed evenings with his hunting friends ... this brought back many childhood memories!! ... Can't wait to see what you will be doing next year!! xo HHL

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  23. What a dinner... You always throw such lovely gatherings with your lovely treasures.

    Beautiful tablescape as always.

    Happy TS,
    /CC from Stockholm,

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  24. HOLY COW!!! OK, cow is not game, but I don't know what else to say!!! First of all, I am so impressed with the organization of your packing! I have been wanting to do a tablescape at my daughter's apartment, but it seems like too much trouble, and here you are hauling truckloads! The whole event looks like fun (isn't it great when the men contribute!) and the food looks fabulous! I must say I am stunned by the size of that dining room! Thanks, Cherry Kay, for sharing this with us!

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  25. Wow, that's someone's Dining Room? It's huge! Sounds like a very well run and fun event. I have to admit I'm not a "game" fan though but still what a great night you all had.

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  26. This looked like a spectacular evening and the food sounded divine. What a great event!

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  27. This is seriously over the top. I don't know which is more amazing. The menu or the house!

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  28. Oh my goodness! That home is a castle! What a fabulous place! You all did a remarkable job.
    I agree the toile and camo are surely the next thing to be popular!! LOL :-) I love the pictures of the guests..you can see everyone is pleased!
    You sure are a hard worker!

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  29. Lord have mercy, Woman...that had to be an incredible experience! I didn't know so many wild game recipes existed!

    My brother hunts & he would have been in his glory to try each one. I hope they share the Venison stew recipe so you can then share it with US! Along with your signature salad & your sweet DH's "Dove Diablo".

    AWESOME party & thank you so much for taking to many photos so we could appreciate all that went into creating such a special night.

    BRAVO!! ENCORE~ENCORE!!

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  30. love yous site..I just figured out how to blog, have been looking at your site since before Christmas. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas.

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  31. My husband was looking over my shoulder as I was reading this post, salivating! He says it all looks delicious, especially the swedish meatballs.

    I hope you had some help washing all those plates!

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  32. I'm finally getting by to visit ... and I'm so glad I did not miss this! I've been waiting for the Wild Game Dinner post, and it's wonderful! I definitely plan to send the link to Renaissance Man so he can see the menu. He's helped cook for several wild game dinners in the past, but they've never been highly "decorated" affairs, so I didn't get to play. You, on the other hand, both played AND worked -- and everything looks wonderful! Camo and toile? I'm still not convinced, but I'll promise to think about it... :-)

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  33. Cherry Kay, this is a post that I had to read with my morning coffee. The perfect home for this large gathering! Yes, I love your camo napkins.

    My husband is hoping you will share the Venison stew recipe when you receive it! Your salad and your DH's Dove Diablo sound wonderful also!

    I appreciate all you did to provide us with the photos and details of this wonderful event!

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  34. Looks like s very plentiful hunting season. What an amazing feast!

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  35. Fabulous!! What a gorgeous home with so much room for a party like that....I LOVE those tablecloths.

    Thank You for sharing and I hope you have blessed week!

    Aledia

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  36. This is beyond a great party! Awesome food, with suckling pig and all! Everything looks fabulous, wish I was there to try it all!... and all the incredible preparations, wow! Must've been lots of hard work for the lovely hostesses and it looks like NO SWEAT!! The house is amazing too, to fit all those tables! We had a huge house before, now we're a bit downsized. I loved your post and reading about it, but than I always love to visit you dear Cherry Kay. Such umbeliebable organization for 150 people! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! Have a great week.
    FABBY

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  37. Hi lovely lady.
    Wow I'm also exhausted just reading about your party. The food looks so delicious!! Your party looks amazing you all did a wonderful job putting this party together..Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my Spring Tablescape so sweet of you. I hope you have a wonderful week with your family.
    XXOO Diane

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  38. "Your Evening is a Masterpiece"! I am amazed at how easy you made it look! SO INSPIRING! The food looks fabulous and I can ALMOST taste the festivities! I'll bet the men were the ones using the CAMO NAPKINS(how clever)!
    Every Detail is perfection! I LOVE the toile tablecloths! Your home is So Beautiful and So Beautifully laid out for such a large gathering!
    Thank you for inviting us to such a special event!
    Have a wonderful Easter Week,
    Big Hugs,
    Donna

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