Ask the Butler!

Since the early 1990's, I am often confronted by family and friends with question about how to throw a successful party. I have complied a list of some of the more popular questions in hopes that even if I am not able to organize your party, I can still help to ensure that it is a successful and somewhat stress-free night for you!

How do I decide if I need to hire a caterer?

Unless you are a chef with ample refrigeration space, and necessary equiptment you should consider a caterer to perform it all.

What are some easy and different centerpiece ideas?
A Rose Martini

Place a red rose, bud only in a martini glass. Put a small amount of water in the glass. Place several of these martini roses together in the center of the table or at individual place settings. Elegance made easy.

Fish Bowl Centerpieces

Complicated? Does not have to be. Place 1 or 2 gallon fish bowls on small framed mirrors or mirror tiles. Fill with water and add live fish or shells. If you want to go for a more tropical theme, add colored gravel with tropical plastic plants; spice it up with live gold fish or rainbow fish.

I am hosting a party for 200 people? How much Alcohol will I need?

The first thing you need to do is find the ratio between males and females attending your event. After calculating the results, this would be the best guide to go by. (This is the best scenario purchased by consumption with ability to refund non-used beverages.)

-If there are more female attendees at your event, decrease the amount by 10%.
-If there are more male attendees at your event, increase the amount by 10%.

  • 30 Bottles of Cloe Du Bois Chardonnay
  • 30 Riff Pinot Grigio
  • 30 Bogle Merlot
  • 4 Cases of Sam Adams
  • 4 Cases of Bud Light
  • 4 Cases of Budweiser
  • 12 Bottle Deposits
  • 6 Liters of Absolut Vodka
  • 3 Liters of Dewars Scotch
  • 3 Liters of Tanqueray Gin
  • 3 Liters of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
  • 2 Liters of Jack Daniels
  • 2 Liters of Bacardi
  • 2 Liters of V.O.
  • 2 375ml Dry Vermouth
  • 2 375 ml Grenadine
  • 2 375 ml Roses Lime Juice
  • 60 5lbs Ice
  • 10 2L Coke
  • 6 2L Diet Coke
  • 12 Liters of Tonic Water
  • 12 Liters Club Soda
  • 6 Liters of Ginger Ale
  • 12 750 Ml Spring Water
  • 2 Quarts Bloody Mary Mix
  • 8 Quarts Cranberry Juice
  • 6 Quarts Tropicana Orange Juice
  • 2 Quarts Grapefruit Juice
  • 2 Containers of Olives
  • 2 Containers of Cocktail Onions
  • 2 Containers of Maraschino Cherries