Chase Maser on August 29, 2016 0 Comments With all the different kinds of stemware available, it can be hard to choose a single glass or set of glasses to use for your next big occasion. So many things come into play when deciding on what stemware to use; the food being served, the guest list, the liquor, the overall aesthetic. With all of those things in mind, how can you choose something that matches your exact needs, but is versatile enough to withstand any situation? To assist you in selecting the best stemware for your next big event, we’ve reached out to two lifestyle and culinary experts in Los Angeles, CA: Lulu Powers, “The Entertainologist” and best-selling author of Lulu Powers Food To Flowers, and Ashley Fahr, private chef and caterer for LA’s elite, who offer their insights into planning and executing 4 different events that anyone may organize. With each affair, these two ladies present their favorite stemware options, as well as lending some helpful advice to keep you prepared for anything. 1. Anniversary Dinner When preparing for a dinner with that special someone, it’s best to choose a setup that reflects the romanticism and delicacy of the relationship. To best portray that sense of love and patience, Fahr recommends a combination of glasses entirely comprised of stems. “Ideally, the whole premise behind an anniversary dinner is romance, so I would say that the most important thing to start with is a champagne, flute glass to christen the evening.” With a fully stocked stemware arrangement, if you have multiple courses planned out then you’ll be able to accommodate anything. “If you plan on serving steak as the entrée (which is totally a great move), then make sure to have a wide red wine glass.If you plan on serving fish, then a narrower white wine glass is the right move. For dessert — like something with chocolate — go with a Port wine glass. If you plan on serving a fruit or custard dessert, have some chilled Moscato ready and waiting.” If you’re not sure of what stemware pieces are the best to choose from, Fahr offers Riedel as a great product that provides reliable glassware for all occasions. “If you’re feeling really lavish, then bump up to crystal stemware; something fancier and more precious.” 2. Wedding Reception Having catered a wealth of weddings throughout her successful career as a chef and designer, Lulu Powers makes the important note that “the stemware chosen for an event is based upon the décor, because everything like that goes together. Basically, when you call a rental company and you say you’re throwing a reception, whatever theme you have in mind will dictate the kinds of glasses you’ll order.” Essentially, if you want a classic reception with tuxedos and gowns, then you could incorporate a trendy Coupe Cocktail glass to “have a champagne toast. Plus, you can drink champagne throughout the entire evening; it goes along with just about anything you can eat, and the glass itself is durable enough to last the whole evening,” says Powers. If your wedding is more casual — filled with a wide range of relatives and is taking place in a more informal setting — then a stemless wine glass is a perfect option because “it can double for wine and mixed drinks.” While keeping those things in mind, Powers is adamant on creating unique approaches, and she wants readers to know that they “can use any glass for anything; you don’t have to be so strict with your decisions. I mean, you could serve wine in a tasting glass if you wanted to. It’s never really about what goes with the party; it’s more about what’s happening at the party, so it’s best to keep an open mind and roll with the punches.” 3. Bachelorette Party Reading the word “bachelorette” immediately gets you thinking about bridesmaids or a wild group of partiers at the bar, so Fahr firmly believes that the use of “shot glasses are definitely in order. I would definitely line those up. Usually, a party like that is really casual; I would say there’s less wine and more cocktails.” That being said, it’s a smart choice to go with a cold pitcher of margaritas or sangria, and from there you can use varying styles of margarita glasses. “I would think that that is what most people would want to drink out of,” Fahr explains. “They’re not lowball glasses, so it’s not super laid-back, but they’re not exactly a wine glass, so the mood shouldn’t become too sleepy. Once you’re done with your sangria, you can switch over to a tequila sunrise and keep the momentum going.” Powers’ approach for the ladies would be “any kind of stemless wine glass or rocks glass that could be used for any kind of cocktail. You can even get creative with personalized logos on things; customize the glasses to make the night more meaningful and memorable.” 4. Backyard BBQ Even though you’re grilling meat and wearing khaki shorts, whose to say that you can’t maintain a bit of elegance? Traditional stemware may not be the route to take, but you can be just as fancy with “stemless glassware; 100%,” says Fahr. Her reasons for stemless are because “you can get into something more fun and festive, like colored glasses or decorated ones. It fits people of all ages and is right for all beverage types. A kid could drink a soda, someone could have water, friends can have cocktails, and whoever else can have wine; all out of one piece. Not to mention, you can throw everything in the dishwasher at the end.” Fahr advocates once more for Riedel products, more specifically, the “Big O Syrah” glasses. “You can even play around with the ice cubes; it’s always fun to make one-of-a-kind creations for more intimate events.” For a fun, summertime beverage, Powers proposes her Gin Sneeky: “Mix St. Germain and Tonic over ice, and then squeeze in a lime wedge and a slice of blood orange. Stir, and then top it off with a sprig of rosemary.”
