Pair It Up !

 ATTN: Ladies
This is one of the rare times on WOMAN.ca that I am going to speak directly to the males out there in need of an entertaining upgrade', so be sure to forward him this article print it out and leave it on his desk or maybe just discretely slip it into his briefcase.

Instead of wine pairings, this summer it's all about matching up the perfect cocktail with fun and easy-to-create dishes for any occasion.

Recently I teamed up with Merlin Griffiths, Global Brand Ambassador for BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, to host a private lesson in home entertaining for 40 enthusiastic men looking to step up their home entertaining game.

I am now pleased to share with the WOMAN.ca readers all the tips and tricks of the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE evening of Inspired Entertaining. Starting with the most important lesson a guy can learn when it comes to entertaining it does not need to be complicated. 

Below are three common scenarios along with cocktail and cuisine choices, and some great entertaining tips to make you look like the Ultimate Host.

Having a group of friends over for a backyard barbeque?

Keep it simple with skewers ! Include three varieties such as beef, shrimp, and vegetable to accommodate individual preferences but don't just use any old bottled dips. Get creative and mix up your own !

Try this: Whip up a homemade sweet potato may using the flesh of one yam roasted and blended with equal parts of mayonnaise and seasoned to taste.

Pair it Up: Nothing says summer quite like a fresh fizzy cocktail with a sprig of mint, so match the skewers with the SAPPHIRE Ginger Mint. Combine 1 ½ oz. SAPPHIRE Gin, 3 oz. ginger ale, and 6 mint leaves.

PUTTING ON A SHOW, DEMONSTRATING TIPS ON HOW TO ENTERTAIN THE BOSS

Want to Inspire a Summer Romance?

Take date night to new heights by letting her you know your way around the kitchen.

Step One: Get all tied up ! Woman love a man in uniform so show her you don't mind getting's your hands dirty and throw on an apron.

Step Two: Demonstrate your ability to share by developing a menu you can create together. Pick up a selection of Italian meats and French cheeses, grissini and crostinis, and simply assemble all the items on a cutting board. It's perfect for the two of you to nibble on !

Step Three: Tap into your sensitive side by becoming your own mixologist and fix her up a twist on her favourite feminine drink the SAPPHIRE Cosmopolitan.

SHAKIN' THINGS UP, MERLIN MAKES THE SAPPHIRE ULTIMATE MARTINI

Add a Trick !

After creating the Cosmo add an attention-grabbing garnish, like the Flamed Orange Peel Merlin demonstrated during the BOMBAY event. Here's how to do it: Cut a half dollar sized orange peel, hold the flame between the surface of the glass and the orange peel. As you bend the orange peel in half, it creates a small burst of flame that imparts a fresh toasted orange oil over the top of the drink. Finish by rimming the glass with the peel and then slipping it into the cocktail.

Her Parents Coming to Dinner?

Few things create a genuine fear inside a man quite like having to entertain the MIL (secret guy code for Mother-in-Law). Well fret no more, by incorporating a few simple décor elements, by the end of the night, you'll have melted her icy exterior.
Try this: To create a simple yet stunning centerpiece, take two vases, one slightly smaller (containing a pillar candle) that fits inside the larger one. Add water and a few drops of food colouring and voila, you're done !

For full BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Cocktail & Cuisine Pairings follow the links below:

Skewers Like Never Before & SAPPHIRE Ginger Mint
Charcuterie Sampler & SAPPHIRE Cosmopolitan
Citrus Seared Salmon & SAPPHIRE Ultimate Martini

Until next time, gentlemen (via the ladies) be Adventurous, be Inspired !

Sebastien

Sebastien Centner, The Entertainer
		About the author:
		Sebastien Centner is the Director of Eatertainment Special Events and Catering, a Toronto- based company with a rich 25 year history.
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