Recently I hosted a holiday cocktail party at my home. I enjoy cooking outside of the restaurant as it gives me an opportunity to go in a different direction from Wildfire's menu. That being said, many of my ideas for our menu come from my home experiments.

For my cocktail party I chose about 8 one-bite appetizers for my guests to graze on while catching up with old friends, and hopefully making new ones. I recently discovered a plate that has a slot to hold a wine glass so one can still have a hand free to eat with ease.

So here's what I made for the one-bite appetizers:

-         Slow braised short rib sliders

-         Filo wrapped shrimp with apricot glaze

-         Corn pancakes with jumbo lump crab and   avocado relish

-         Baked fingerling potatoes stuffed with smoked salmon, chives and crème fraise

-         Wild mushroom and smoked gouda flatbread

-         Poached pear and goat cheese tarts

-         Smoked chicken salad on cucumber with micro greens

-         Sliced pork tenderloin, bbq potato chip, sweet mashed potatoes

In planning the menu, I wanted to create a variety of flavors that included seafood, beef, pork, chicken and vegetables. A week before the party, I baked and assortment of holiday cookies for dessert. I also served fresh fruit kabobs. Of course, everyone wanted to hang out in the kitchen as I prepared the food. It was a fun and exhausting evening!

Although I can't invite you all to my home, Wildfire can host a cocktail party of your own!  We have a great selection of passed appetizers and mini desserts, which are all specialty items that aren't on our regular menu.  These items work great for passing or can be set-up on an appetizer table, and are all conducive to eat standing up while mingling.  Ask our Parties & Special Events Manager to view this menu.  Or, when hosting a cocktail party at home, carry-out any of our delicious starters and you are sure to be everyone's favorite host!  Keep us in mind for your next party or function to impress your guests in 2010!

From the wood burning oven,