Ski-themed canapés in Oxted

A useful instruction on arrival!

My lovely sister-in-law recently turned 60 and wanted to throw a party to celebrate.  She’s a born host and a feeder, but didn’t want to take on the challenge of doing the food for her 50 guests, so asked me if I would consider it.  I jumped at the chance, especially when she mentioned she was thinking of a ski theme – I love a theme!  I’ve always thought my sister-in-law should be an events stylist or coordinator because she knows what’s needed and has such an eye for detail.  When I turned up at my brother’s house on that late January day I had high expectations and I certainly wasn’t disappointed.  The house looked lovely but it was the garden that stole the show – it looked fantastic!  It was so on theme that I felt I’d stepped through a portal and into an Alpine village!  She’d asked various friends to hold onto their Christmas trees and had about 6 or 7 outside on the patio, all decorated with white fairy lights and a little cobwebbing to look like snow or frost.  Thick rugs, sheepskins and blankets were folded or draped over chair backs and the firepit was lit and casting a cozy glow over the proceedings, along with many candles.  It looked magical.

She had also arranged for her nephew (who co-runs a gin bar in Oxted) to be there in his gorgeous old Citroën van making glühwein (or vin chaud depending what side of the Alps you’re on)!  I was instantly in the mood and this was only accentuated by deciding to risk overheating in the kitchen and follow the optional dress code of skiwear – I wore my salopettes, ski jacket and sunglasses!  It was lots of fun and the canapés and birthday cake went down very well with everyone.  This is what was on the menu:

• cheese fondue – I chose Reblochon, Emmental and Jarlsberg together with some brandy.  On the side with some little skewers I did some garlic croutons, cornichons and roast potatoes
• mini Wienerschnitzels – I used veal for authenticity and served them with a homemade tartare sauce
• tartiflette squares – I used Reblochon cheese (these were particularly good because there was a gf guest unexpectedly, so she was able to tuck into them!)
• mini potato röstis topped with smoked salmon, soured cream and chives
• quail eggs with dipping salts
• sticky honey and mustard chipolatas (got the veal and the chipolatas from Tommy Butchers in Faversham who I hadn’t used before and they were excellent)
• mini meringues filled with whipped cream, piled up to resemble a snow-covered mountain!
  

  Cheese fondue and dippy bits. It looks a small pot of fondue but it went a surprisingly long way and was replenished twice!

I also did a large chocolate birthday cake with a collar of piped fir trees – I used white chocolate for these and the writing on top.  All in all it was a great success and my sister-in-law enjoyed herself hugely, as did all the guests.