Entertaining | Simple Summer Menu for a Birthday Party

I created this event for a client's surprise 30th birthday party for 60 guests.  We wanted the event to feel like a casual (but well designed!) backyard barbeque that was a little more special than brats on the grill.  So, we selected The Simpson House (in Kansas City, just off of the Plaza), as the venue and prayed for good weather so we were able to utilize the beautiful gardens and lawn.

This was the food display - a simple 4 foot table covered in a 90x90 sage green linen.  Above, I strung mini lanterns and puffs made of tissue paper.

The Menu was a bit of a challenge.  The hostess was a very chic woman, but the birthday party was for her husband.  So, we created a menu that was 'guy-friendly' but was presented in a way that was, well, 'cute'. 

Mini Sliders topped with Blue Cheese & Caramelized Onions  |  Chicken Satay with a Spicy Red Pepper Sauce  |  Petite Potato Canapes with Cheddar, Sour Cream and Chives  |  Bowl of Bing Cherries

The lawn was set with both cocktail tables and round tables of 6.  We strung lanterns and tissue paper puffs throughout the great trees to create ambiance.

An acoustic guitar player and a bongo drummer to provided great relaxing music during the evening.