Entertaining Around the World: South African Edgar Rosenberg

South African socialite and entrepreneur Edgar Rosenberg has hosted some of the most decadent dinner parties we’ve attended.

When hosting a dinner Edgar says that “a knockout looking table is the start of a very successful dinner. The setting is very formal however the evening has to be totally informal, guests have to be relaxed and feel comfortable.”

Edgar only serves the best quality foods to his guests. “I cook for the love of good food and for the love of entertaining  and spoiling friends with what I would consider good food. I can spend the entire day in the kitchen for a dinner in the evening and do it with absolute joy. I always say that life is too short to drink BAD coffee and eat BAD food!”

Edgar shared delicious recipes with us for Ricotta and Herb Torte, Stir Fried Duck Breast, and Grand Marnier Souffle.

Enjoy!

 

“Thrilling” Decorations

Turn your party into the ultimate “Thriller” by transforming your home into an indoor cemetery!

  • Use black lights and candles to dimly light the room, placing scary skeletons in corners and on surfaces to offer more light.
  • Set mini tomb stones around your home that can be used to hold chips and dip!
  • No cemetery would be complete without a glowing graveyard! Place luminous gravestones throughout your home and complete the scene with automatic fog machines.
  • Don’t forget about Halloween candy! Try setting classic candies around your party for your guests.

 

 

Personalizing Your Halloween Celebration

Keep your party fresh with some ideas for personalizing your event space!

  • Create your very own batch of M&Ms! You can choose to print words or pictures on the chocolate candies here.
  • Incorporate candles to create a mystifying ambiance for your guests. You can even design your own custom candle holders!

Halloween Movie Marathon

Choosing to stay at home this Halloween? Get ready to be spooked! From classic flicks to new horror films, here is a list of our favorite picks for a scary movie marathon.

1. The Exorcist (1973)

2. Halloween (1978)

3. The Shining (1980)

4. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

5. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

6. Paranormal Activity (2007)

Pair your movie marathon with a healthy snack and a Halloween inspired cocktail! Here are some recipes for Eyeball Caprese and the Spider’s Kiss Cocktail.

Tip: Watch something a little less terrifying before bed! Try The Rocky Horror Picture Show to lighten the mood.

Eyeball Caprese

 

 

 

 

 

 

yeild: (makes about 12)

INGREDIENTS

  • Small jar of castelvetrano olives (or any green olive)
  • 24 Mozzarella di bufala (preferably in a small, oblong shape) balls.
  • Small jar of black olives
  • 3 medium roma tomatoes
  • 1 Bundle basil leaves
  • Olive oil

DIRECTIONS

  1. Slice the tip or side of a green olive in a circular shape.
  2. Use a straw to cut out a “pupil hole” in your olive slice. Fill with a slice of a black olive.
  3. Place your “pupil” shapes on top of your mozzarella balls to create the eyeball illusion.
  4. Slice your roma tomatoes. Place your “eyeballs” on top of the tomato slice.
  5. Place your creation on top of a large basil leaf and sprinkle with oil.
Courtesy of L. Marie

Glowing Midori Spider’s Kiss Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1 part Midori Melon Liqueur
  • 1 part Vodka
  • Juice from 1/2 Lemon
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Grenadine
  • Chocolate dipped orange slice for garnish

Directions:

  1. Draw a chocolate web into a martini glass.
  2. Place in freezer and chill for a ghostly effect.
  3. Shake all ingredients and strain into glass.
  4. For a blood effect, drizzle grenadine down the side of the glass.
  5. Garnish.
Courtesy of © Midori Melon Liqueur

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

Diwali is India’s much anticipated and lively festival of birth and renewal. Also known as “The Festival of Lights,” this joyous six-day celebration is observed as a national holiday, bringing family and friends together from near and far. Lanterns and festive lights abound, representing purity and spiritual enlightenment.

Sequoia Productions’ long time friend and supporter, Tracy Yach, moved to India with her family several years ago and immediately embraced the Indian culture. Tracy is a fabulous cook and looks for any opportunity to entertain in her home with family and friends. For Diwali, Tracy has a spectacular dinner planned. One of her traditions is to send guests home with sweet memories of a wonderful dinner by placing treats in a box decorated with Rangoli Art and a note thanking them for attending. Tracy shares some recipes with us for the Indian sweets Jalebi and Gulab Jamun!

Rangoli Art

We couldn’t help but fall in love with all the traditional decorations of the Diwali festival! One of these decorations, Rangoli Art, can be seen on streets, walkways, and floors in India during Diwali in order to welcome Lakshmi Mata (Goddess of Wealth). Rangoli is traditionally made from products of nature such as rice and flour. Decorating with Rangoli Art helps capture the essence of Indian culture with its vibrant colors and brings the festival of Diwali to life both in the streets and at home. Try adding some Rangoli Art to your home this week!