Summer entertaining season is in full force in the Hudson Valley this year. Feeling a bit rusty? Lucky for you, we touched base with three local pros to learn more about easy ways to be the host with the most at all of your backyard barbecues and summertime soirees. From perfecting your setup to crafting an extra-special event and ending on a sweet note, these tips will help you turn your party into an unforgettable occasion for all. By the end of the festivities, your guests will be asking you for tips!
The Perfect Space for Summer Entertaining
“I completed a formal garden on the west side of my home. It is fairly shaded from the morning sun and is the perfect place to have weekend brunches. Sitting amidst boxwoods and roses lends a sense of formality to a casual dining experience.”
— Daniel Contelmo, Daniel Contelmo Architects, Poughkeepsie
Related: How to Elevate Your Hudson Valley Backyard for Summer
Dinner Party Connections
“I love to host casual dinner parties in my vegetable garden. Each couple ‘sponsors’ a course, and I make a menu for the evening on a chalkboard. For ease, I like to make a signature cocktail and keep the pitcher close to the table. Everybody loves the personal connection that comes from sitting around our old wooden picnic table surrounded by the plants that produced the food on the table, and of course the great company!”
— Melissa Adams, Adams Interior Design, Hopewell Junction
Dessert, Please!
“Go big on dessert time! Have pie, ice cream, and bowls and bowls of mixed berries. Buy your shortcake, biscuits, lemon tart, or fruit pie; that makes it easier. Keep it all super seasonal and hyper-local.”
— Ned Kelly, Ned Kelly & Company, Tappan
Related: What to Know If You’re Thinking About Solar Power in the Hudson Valley
