Get Your New Years Eve Groove On With a FABULOUS Menu From Chef Vanessa! Party On With GREAT Food and Super Ideas on What to Serve. Fashiontribes LA Story Entertaining Blog and Podcast.

Do you love to entertain - or want to entertain but wonder what to serve other than the usual veggie or cheese platter? No worries! Turn to Chef Vanessa Bathfield who has the most amazing ideas of what to serve. Whether it's in your home or whether she makes it up and brings it to you or you just need amazing idea, Chef Vanessa Bathfield has really creative suggestions! Check out the podcast interview with her!

Chef Vanessa has GREAT menus for your holiday entertaining!

The LA Story turned to Chef Vanessa for Thanksgiving and we are turning to her again for some great suggestions for unique  menus for New Years Eve parties. Chef Vanessa is fabulous! I would not just put anyone's suggestions straight into this blog but Chef Vanessa has super ideas and I am posting exactly what she has suggested-- along with some terrific, MOUTH-WATERING photos!

When you have a crowd coming over for a celebration you can wow them with a fabulous display of hors d’oeuvres and nibbles that can either be a light bite or create a delicious meal.  If you’ve ever gone to a restaurant and wanted to order two or three appetizers instead of the main course then this is a menu idea for you.

There are several ways you can put together a hors d’oeuvres package.  You can go with a themed menu, eclectic, traditional or just your favorites.  Here are a couple of winning ideas:

Tapas theme – a wonderful collection of tasty Spanish treats

The Spaniards invented the appetizer collection.  A wonderful way to relax with friends and enjoy some delicious treats.  Many items are readily available at specialty stores or on line at one of my favorites www.latienda.com.   

Shrimp with garlic sauce
Spanish tortilla with paprika
Serrano Ham

Gazpacho
Sizzled chorizo
Marcona almonds with rosemary

Assorted olives

New Years Eve – LA style
When I visited friends in Kansas I once asked for avocado on my sandwich, to be told, “oh you must be from California…we don’t do that around here.” 

Yes, we are different here… gourmet all the way!  For a truly fabulous event you can pull out all the stops.  This selection covers everybody’s tastes but don’t hold back, add some lobster, cavier and fois gras if you wish!

"Gotta have Guacamole"

Smoked salmon on a potato cake with crème fraiche

Petite lamb chops with a mint pistachio pesto
Mini-Kobe beef burgers

Melon, mint and feta cheese bites

Caramelized onion and gorgonzola tartlets
Artisan cheese platter with champagne grapes

Recipes can be found at www.chefvanessabathfield.com. Check out the page mentioning New Years Eve

Suggestions above courtesy of Chef Vanessa Bathfield

This is TOTALLY Yummy and if you aren't hungry after looking at these photos--either you just ate OR there is something wrong with you!. The recipes are pretty straightforward in terms of cooking and you can do this

So plan your guest list QUICKLY and start calling your friends. Hit Trader Joes, Beverages and More, Bristol Farms, Gelsons or any gourmet, organic food store and/or larger supermarket to find the components for these fabulous menus.

Want to find great decorations? Hit a children's party store or Oriental Traders.com

Happy New Years Eve!!

Stevie Wilson

LA Story .