CULINARY CREATIONS
Dinner Parties Made Easy NICOLE ANDERS AND CHEF MARKUS FORD SHARE TIPS AND TRENDS ARTICLE STACI HAUK PHOTOGRAPHY WHITNEY DINOTA THE HOLIDAYS SPARK AN INTER-
“People love entertaining outdoors, but
EST IN ABUNDANCE AND ALL THAT
they still want an edge. This tablescape is
GLITTERS. Hosting a posh dinner party
designed with metallic linens that are sheer,
can be exciting but may seem like a
which add texture. Drama is created by mix-
daunting task. Adding a personal chef
ing high and low centerpieces. Black glass
and event planner to the mix means
makes a bold statement in tall, thin Eiffel
helping your guests feel at home with
tower-style pieces,” Chef Markus says.
elegance and warmth, coupling a delicious meal with on-point ambiance.
The “Holiday Buffet” is for those who want to stick to tradition. Nicole and Chef
Nicole Anders is an event planner
Markus arranged a Norman Rockwell-style tur-
who excels at helping to host events
key dinner, only adding a bit of Cajun spice. This
with personalized hospitality. Nicole
has been perfectly accented with traditional
has proven her value through excep-
cornbread stuffing that has been enhanced
tional attention to detail and the ver-
with crawfish and andouille sausage.
satility to coordinate team efforts with
Cocktail parties are a specialty for Nicole and
diverse objectives. Nicole Anders Event
Chef Markus. The key is small portions, such
and Lifestyle Management was founded
as ceviche in hand-carved pink Himalayan salt
upon the meaningful vision of making
shot glasses, baby lamb lollipops with tarra-
her clients’ visions come true. A full-ser-
gon mint and pomegranate molasses, along
vice event and lifestyle management
with fresh vegetable spring rolls.
company, she allows the client’s vision to come to fruition while she handles the details individually tailored for each client’s design and desire. Chef Markus Ford has been cooking for more than two decades. His career has gifted him the opportunity to cook for celebrities, dignitaries, political figures (including two presidents), a member of the British royal family, several celebrity chefs and even the occasional TV appearance. He draws his inspiration not only from current trends but his world travels to more than 40 cities in some 25-plus countries. “Laid-Back Chic” is one way to approach the dinner party this season. 34
Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2019
“MY ADVICE TO THE IN-HOME ENTERTAINER IS TO NOT FORGET ABOUT THE SMALLEST DETAILS THAT LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOUR GUESTS—KNOWING YOUR GUEST’S PREFERRED COCKTAIL OF CHOICE, PERSONALIZED PLACE CARDS, ATTENTION TO EACH GUEST’S DIETARY NEEDS, OR A PARTING GIFT TO THANK YOUR GUESTS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE WITH YOU IN YOUR HOME TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION—IS CRUCIAL.” —NICOLE ANDERS