The Tartan 50th

Because the backstories to the events I cater are so interesting, I decided it’s high time I shared a few of these ‘tales from the table’ with you, highlighting a featured dish that went down a treat with guests at the do in question. The first in this series is from a Scottish-themed 50th birthday party of all things. Why the tartan trend? Well, you’ll have to read on to find out…

Meet Dr Janet McDonald who just turned 50. She’s an Associate Professor (Ass.Pro for short) of Theatre Studies at the University of Southern Queensland’s School of Arts and Communication. Janet is married, the mother of two boys and the youngest of four McDonald sisters.

With a surname like McDonald and Janet’s chosen career, her 50th birthday party was guaranteed to be suitably theatrical and tartan. The guests were entreated to dress in highland garb and the entertainment line-up included Janet’s three older McDonald tartan-clad siblings performing musical numbers in the style of The Kranski Sisters.

The birthday girl was serenaded to renditions of ‘Your little sister’ (Paul Kelly), ‘You can close your eyes’ (James Taylor) and ‘Like WOW – Wipeout!’ (Hoodoo Gurus) performed with the help of Janet’s own dear husband, Richard, resplendent in a kilt and tartan leggings. Like wow, indeed!

Canapés were served as the guests arrived with the main meal and dessert set-up buffet-style. Each course was unobtrusively delivered to the buffet table while the entertainment and speeches were going on and guests enjoyed the fare during the breaks.

 
I can’t say the food for this event was Scottish-themed (until now I’ve never considered adding haggis to any of my menus) but I can say that Janet’s guests enjoyed one internationally-themed dish in particular.

Slow roasted Fillet of BeefThis was Italian beef, a rib fillet roasted at a low temperature for four and a half hours until medium rare, sliced thinly and served with capers, shaved parmesan and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Och aye – delicious!

 

 

Yours in good food and great events.

Kellee