Sebastian Centner of Toronto’s Eatertainment, which not only operates some of the Yorkville area’s most-frequented restaurants, but also offers event planning and catering (he has worked on various high profile events including the Toronto International Film Festival) recently spoke with DelectablyChic! about this very topic.  Centner has ideas for many different ways to entertain, ranging from cocktail parties to brunches and family fun nights.

With Thanksgiving being this coming weekend, many people may have overnight guests.  Though the focus of Thanksgiving is usually the turkey and its fixings, it doesn’t seem right to serve guests left overs the next day.  Besides, turkey isn’t exactly breakfast food.  Therefore, why not serve more appropriate foods like pancakes and muffins?  Centner believes that regular, every day items can become more interesting and talk-worthy just by spicing things up a little.  For example, you can make muffins, but rather than putting them in a basket or plate and just have the guests grab them, why not set them on a cupcake stand or tiered tray?  You could also add flags with guests’ names on them and stick the flags on various muffins on the tray.  To spice up the muffins, use a cupcake corer or knife to cut a quarter-size hole (and about 1″-1 1/2″ deep) and fill it with preserves, cream cheese, fruits or nuts.  Pancakes are also a great thing to serve at brunch.  Of course, don’t forget the fruit.

The important thing is that the food is always replenished.  If there are more than six people, Centner highly recommends food station/buffet style rather than seated.  For those who don’t like the big clean-up, a neater way to make muffins or pancakes is to use a ready-to-pour mix like Dr. Oeker (where you only need to add milk and shake!).  This way, you would be able to spend more time with your guests, which they will appreciate.