A banquet is not just a multi-course feast, it is an entertainment event.
Banquets are typically elaborate, creatively themed affairs thrown in honor of or to celebrate a special occasion. Ideally, all the banquet's elements, from the cuisine to the decor, should be tied together around the central theme. No matter what theme you choose for any given affair, the objective for a banquet is always to provide the highest quality innovative entertainment for your guests. Does this Spark an idea?
Luau Banquet - Overview of Theme
Throw a luau banquet at sunset, evoking a Hawaiian beach party.
Luaus are informal Hawaiian banquets where family and friends gather to share savory food, company, and, occasionally, rowdy times. Unlike traditional formal banquets, luaus are all about hanging loose in a relaxed atmosphere where guests are encouraged to enjoy themselves. A luau is an ideal banquet theme for any occasion where a party is in order, such as weddings, birthdays, or even just long summer weekends. Plus, you can throw an authentic luau anywhere you can create a tropical atmosphere, including your backyard. All it takes is essential decorative elements, a Hawaiian-inspired menu, and an island party vibe. As the host, plan accordingly, greet your guests with floral leis and Hawaiian music upon arrival, and the vibe is sure to follow. (See Reference 1.)
Luau Banquet - Decor and Menu
No need to roast your own pig to create an authentic luau!
The traditional luau is eaten around a low banquet table, decorated with fruits and flowers. An equally suitable alternative, though, is simply to set up one or two long festive buffet tables and several surrounding smaller tables for your guests to sit and eat. The key is in the decor. Drape the tables with traditional fruits and flowers atop colorful tropically patterned cloths and dot with candles and shells. Set up a tiki bar for drinks (think anything with rum!). Surround the banquet grounds with tiki torches and decorative palm trees.
As for the menu, the traditional luau features a whole pig home-roasted over a fire pit. If you don't wish to roast your own pig, this element too can be readily substituted. Simply buy a roast pig and display it as the centerpiece of your dinner buffet table. To start, serve a playful Pupu Platter (Polynesian-style appetizers) as your guests mingle during a pre-dinner cocktail hour. To accompany the pork on the buffet table, choose dishes with seafood, coconuts and pineapples, all indigenous Hawaiian foods, mandatory for any authentic luau. Aloha!
Casino Banquet - Overview of Theme
Casino-themed banquets are perfect for motivating guests to socialize.
A casino night party is an ideal theme for a banquet affair at which guests might not know each other, such as charity fundraising or social networking events. Casino activities provide banquet guests a ready means through which to socialize beyond the seated table context. Casino banquet parties are typically upscale formal affairs, with cuisine and decor inspired by the high-roller culture of Las Vegas's legendary casinos. The key to throwing a successful casino-themed banquet is to provide your guests with a dinner social experience that is both entertaining and classy.
Casino Banquet - Decor and Menu
For decor, select several classic casino games, rent authentic game gear, and arrange the gaming tables around your banquet venue to simulate a high-end casino's look and feel. Hire dealers who are well-versed in casino rules, as well as food servers and bartenders familiar with casino dining culture. You are creating a high roller's casino, so have them dress the part in "old Vegas" style suits. Also, inform guests in the invitations of the requisite formal party attire. Choose a music playlist that suits the upscale casino theme, such as Elvis or Rat Pack classics. Finally, accessorize the venue with atmospheric elements setting the mood of classic Vegas, such as green table cloths and "cigarette girls."
For drinks, serve martinis and champagne. For cocktail hour, pass around upscale fingerfoods that your guests can eat while playing. For the banquet itself, go for indulgent dishes, such as lobster and proscuitto, on which your guests can splurge. Create a multi-course menu to serve intermittedly through the evening when guests are asked to take their seats around the banquet table.
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