» Jill Donenfeld: Founder, The Culinistas Home Chef Service + Author, Party Like A Culinista

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Jill Donenfeld: Founder, The Culinistas Home Chef Service + Author, Party Like A Culinista

Chic Chef Shows Us How To Entertain Like a Culinista

We're all starting to have "party" on the brain so who better to author today's list than "The Culinista" herself, Jill Donenfeld. And that fun moniker is also the title of her new book, Party Like A Culinista®, a modern guide to entertaining and a great hostess gift as well! By day, this high energy entrepreneur runs, The Culinistas®, an innovative and affordable home chef service in NY, Los Angeles and Chicago. Once you check out her service, you're bound to use it...let me know if you do! Jill's excitement is infectious and her heart is definitely in everything she does...Including this list of party tips that she whipped up just for us! [Photo Courtesy: Gregory Goode]

Posted on November 16th, 2011

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Small Town Creamery with Big Time Taste: Graeters Ice Cream VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: Graeters in Cincinnati or Now at Ralphs Market [In California]I am from Cincinnati and have profound and unwavering allegiance to Graeter's Ice Cream. Chocolate Chip topped with chocolate sprinkles is my go-to when ordering from the shop. But if you are ordering for a party, I say order the six pints of chip flavors. Black Raspberry and Mint Chocolate Chip especially. Oh, and caramel and vanilla should not be overlooked if you are averse to chips. Minds will be blown. PS: Get some Tates cookies while at the grocery and for dessert, plunk down the cookies with the ice cream - ping your glass and instruct everyone to Make-Your-Own-Ice-Cream-Sandwiches.
Stir The Pot: Joseph Joseph Nesting Bowls VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: A + R 1121-1 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, VeniceThey look awesome and they are super functional. You can basically prep a whole party between all these bowls....and then repurpose them for serving. I got mine from A+R in Venice.
New Twist On Old Fashioned Tradition: Artisinal Popcorn VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: Monsieur Marcel, Original Farmers Market, The Grove As in, kernels. From the deli. From the interior aisles in the grocery. Try to find organic and then pop it on the stove with olive oil and a few fresh herbs. People are always extremely impressed by this even though it is extremely easy. And, you can realllllly personalize it to a) your tastes and b) what you have on hand with regards to spices, herbs, cheese, sugar... you can really top popcorn with anything and it makes a splash.
My Favorite Florist: Botany Blooms VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION:Botony Flowers, 225 26th Street, Suite 41, Santa Monica [Santa Monica]I am a huge proponent of fresh flowers in the home - always, but especially for a party. Purchase them anywhere - from your local deli or supermarket to a high-end boutique like Botony, in Santa Monica.
Pinatas Aren't Just For Birthday Parties: Confetti System VISIT WEBSITEI love a good piñata at a party. From a super cheap-y store is fine. Or go all out and make one. I love Confestti System's disco version.
Salt Up Your Sweets: Maldon Sea Salt Flakes VISIT WEBSITE Big, flaky sea salt on chocolate chip cookies. Even if you get store-bought cookies that you just bake off (which, you definitely should not do.. but, if you must...), sprinkle them with sea salt (like Maldon). What can I say? People are wowed.
A Wine That Always Shines: Clos Thales VISIT WEBSITEWine from Union Squares Wines. This is my local wine shop but there online store is outstanding. I usually go for bubbles. If you live in NYC, go in and speak with any of the vino-geniuses, but my favorite is Jesse. If you are purchasing online, read up on the wines and check out their specials. Their staff selections are unparalleled. I trust few other vendors for wine as I trust these bad boys.
The Greatest Glow: Molton Brown Candles VISIT WEBSITE A candle in the washroom. Another super simple thing like the flowers, but this little element of fragrance and fore-thought goes a long way. You just look so pro when you do things like this! I am obsessed with Firefly Embers by Molton Brown right now. It smells like a log cabin on a snowed in day. Nightingale Song is also excellent if you like a fresher, more floral scent.
Make It Look Impressive: Mandoline VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: Bowery Kitchens 88 Tenth Avenue, New York [chelsea market] I got mine at Bowery Kitchen in Chelsea Market. People think it's a fancy kitchen tool only used by chefs. But, honestly, it's an effortless time-saver from which home chefs easily benefit. Not only does it shave minutes off of tedious slicing (of anything from cucumbers to potatoes to carrots, etc), but also, it instantly ups the presentation factor of your dish. Seriously, in high school, I sliced apples very thinly and when my friends came over, they thought I was a master chef... hmmm very foreshadowing. Thin slicing is impressive.
Spice Up Your Party: Try A New Spice Like Sumac VISIT WEBSITE No, no.. not poison sumac! Like, delicious sumac. Also described as tart and tangy. It's sort of like a weird, citrus substitute. You can add it to dips and grain salads for that "je ne sais quoi" element of your dish. It's also great in spice rubs for meat and on baked potatoes. Get it anywhere - from Whole Foods to a specialty shop. The online shop at "Loaves and Fishes" has a great spice selection.. and the added bonus of being an excellent and thorough kitchen shop. You can really stock up on everything from heavy duty appliances to perfect cocktails napkins... and sumac.