Thoughtful Presentations

Provide each guest with their own picnic basket or woven basket with a lid that includes the entrée on a porcelain plate, a linen napkin tied with a ribbon or twine, flatware and chilled water in a jar with a lid. You can embellish the top of the basket with fresh herbs or a small bundle of flowers for a whimsical touch.

Appropriate Entrées

When selecting an entrée for a contactless outdoor dinner party, it is important to choose food that can be easily packaged individually and served at room temperature. An article on MarthaStewart.com provides the below ideas, or you can dream up your own:

• Fried chicken with cornbread panzanella and coleslaw
• Salmon with salsa verde paired with quinoa, grilled market vegetables and a chopped salad
• Hanger steak paired with farro, grilled market vegetables and a Caprese salad

Simple Desserts

Similar to the entrée, it is best to select a room-temperature dessert that is easy to serve each guest individually. We have gathered the below ideas, although the options are endless:

• Cherry crumb bars
• Lemon bars
• Apple crisp
• Fruit tarts
• Chocolate chip muffins

Single-Serving Cocktails

Pre-made cocktails, such as margaritas, sangria or mint gimlets, can be prepared ahead of time and then put into glasses/jars with lids for each guest. If you would like to involve the guests, you can create individual cocktail kits for each person with their own spirits, mixers, garnishes, flat or sparkling water and ice buckets.

A Well-Appointed Home

Although your guests will spend most of their time outdoors, it is still important to ensure a clean and inviting environment indoors, such as when they go inside to use the powder room. Professional house cleaning services in Wichita are recommended. Contact Margaret McHenry Maids at (316) 612-9300 or complete the form to request a complimentary house cleaning services estimate today!