by Dakota Murphey
Your 40th birthday is the perfect excuse to show off to everyone that you can throw an epic birthday celebration. There’s so much to plan for, including the venue, music, decorations and invitations, to name but a few of the important party-planning essentials.
Catering is another important consideration. Whether you choose to focus on the partying and throw in nibbles and hors d’oeuvres, or revolve your whole event around a fantastical dining experience, food will have to make an appearance at some point (especially if there’s alcohol involved). A boozy party without food will degenerate very quickly, and inevitably that’s when things can go awry. Having a food plan will definitely help to keep party drinking under control.
In any case, if you love your food, then why not share your passion with guests at your 40th birthday celebration. Dakota Murphey shares 5 fabulous food ideas to make your 40th the best foodie celebration ever.
- A Bombay-themed event with food to match
If you are serious about throwing a wow-factor party, how about doing something a little bit different? A lavish Bombay themed 40th will make a big bold statement and give your guests a Bollywood experience they’ll never forget. For a truly authentic Bombay-themed birthday bash, posh Indian food is a must. Wow your guests with an Indian tasting menu. If you are just providing snacks rather than a full on meal, Indian finger foods are a yummy alternative to straightforward canapés.
- A mighty Michelin-starred experience
If you’ve decided a full-on party isn’t for you, why not make your whole 40th event a fabulous fine dining experience. It’s your chance to go to that Michelin-starred restaurant you’ve always dreamed of. If you’ve been unable to justify the price tag that goes with it, your 40th is the perfect excuse to splash out. Besides, think of the money you’ll be saving by not throwing an extravagant party!
Pick the venue, refine your guest list to your closest friends and family, and you’ll pull off an evening of sophisticated dining for an impressive 40th celebration. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance. Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck in Berkshire, for example, has a waiting list of 3 months.
- A posh tea party
If you are considering a 40th party at home, but don’t want to turn it into a mammoth event, laying on a posh tea party is a fabulous compromise. A magnificent Alice in Wonderland tea party couldn’t be a more apt theme for an eccentric and magnificent celebration. Create an enchanting display of special treats to wow your guests and take them to dessert heaven. Start off with English tea, extraordinary cakes and a jolly good gossip. Finish with bubbles and giggles. Even the maddest hatter will be impressed. You could even ask guests to dress up in Alice-in-Wonderland theme, and lay on a game of croquet in the garden.
- A cool and quirky supper club
Supper clubs were all the rage a while back. Don’t think they’ve gone quiet. Those that raved about them in the beginning are only keeping schtum because spaces are limited! Pop-up restaurants and supper clubs are being curated by some really exciting chefs across the whole of the UK. Look out for pop-up foodie events with fantastical themes in your local area. They make a great back-drop for a 40th birthday celebration. You’ll need to do your research – supper clubs have a somewhat hush-hush existence. Or hook up with a chef and host your own!
- The whole hog BBQ
If you are renowned for hosting great BBQs, then it seems fitting on your 40th to go the whole hog (literally). If you’re looking to give your guests some good honest tucker to soak up the beer (or cider, spirits and wine), nothing does that better than a hog roast bap topped off with homemade apple sauce.
You can hire the equipment, order the hog and do the whole thing yourself, or get a catering company to take care of it all for you. If you are hiring a venue, check with them first if they will allow you to organise outside caterers and if they offer the facility for an outside space for the rotisserie. And don’t offend your vegetarian guests, cater separately for them too.
Have a fabulous, foodie-loaded fortieth!
