COOK LIKE HIS MAMA CHEF PARTY

 Theme Concept: A shower where a chef or mom gives a cooking lesson for all to enjoy.  

Guest of Honor Profile: A bride-to-be who has a good relationship with her in-laws and is in dire need of a cooking lesson.  

Invitations: Recipe card format for invitation.  Purchase blank recipe cards (@5X7) from a cooking or stationary store or create your own computer designed card.  Purchase miniature wooden spoons and sheer ribbon from a craft store.  Match the ribbon to colors on the card or your theme. Punch a hole in the middle of the left margin of the card. Cut ribbon into 8-inch lengths and tie a knot in the middle of each ribbon.  Feed the ends of the ribbon through the hole from the back of the card, the knot will keep ribbon from slipping through hole. Tie wooden spoon of card and form a bow.  

Invitation Verse:  A Recipe for Love, ½ cup Kathy’s sugar,  ½ cup Steve’s spice, Makes 1 cup happily married life! Join us in a cooking shower for Kathy where we’ll put on aprons and learn how to make Salmon Kulibiaka with Chef Dimitri! (print shower information)          

Décor: A clean kitchen!  Choose décor that reflects the cuisine.  Look through this book for décor ideas from a theme that sounds like the food you are serving.  The invitation verse above suggests Russian cuisine.  Festive décor for this food would be a “red” party, which ties into both Russia and love.  Use red linens, red balloons, etc… If you are serving Italian food use red & white checked cloths and similar items.

Menu: The meal you prepare.

Cake Décor: After all that cooking give yourself a break on the cake. Decorate the top of the cake with a frosting sheet of the groom as a child pictured in the kitchen or happily eating dinner. 

Games / Activities: Contact a chef from a catering company or local restaurant and ask them to come to the shower to give a cooking lesson. After the lesson you will eat the food that has been prepared by the chef.  The catering company or restaurant can make enough food for the party and the chef can demonstrate one signature dish.  If you have budget concerns, ask the bride and groom’s mother or attending guests that are outstanding cooks to be the star chef.  She can prepare a favorite recipe or dish from one of the menus in this book and guest’s can bring additional dishes ala potluck. Ask each guest to bring her favorite recipe printed on a 3X5 card to put into a homemade recipe book as a memento for the bride. 

Music: The music should reflect the cuisine.  Opera or Frank Sinatra is great for Italian, choose Country music for comfort food or barbecue, or a suitable movie soundtrack.    

Party Favors: Aprons, kitchen towels, potholders, refrigerator magnets.

Theme Substitutions 

THEME TITLE	THEME CONCEPT	IDEAS
Father & Son Cookout	A family celebration where the boys are at the grill.	A great family reunion activity