Let's Talk Food

It’s happened to all of us at some point—being faced with an unfamiliar dish or tricky-looking h’ors d’oeuvre at a social occasion and awkwardly trying to figure out how to take a delicate bite without crossing the rules of etiquette. Before biting your tongue or missing a perfectly good opportunity to open your palate up to delicious new flavors, go through this rundown of quick and easy guidelines so you never have to suffer through another food gaffe at a work event or your next cocktail party again.

Sushi.
While Filipinos are typically familiar with Asian cuisine, including Japanese dishes, sushi can still be a challenge due to its delicate nature and the careful handling required by using wooden chopsticks. To prevent breakage from happening, make sure to dip your sushi fish-side-down in soy sauce, and bring the entire piece straight to your mouth in one bite.

Dimsum.
Most dumplings require a dip in soy sauce as well, and while sushi requires a swift bite, dimsum can be eaten in steps. Take a bite off of dumplings that are too large to eat, and grip your chopsticks firmly in order to ensure that no pieces fall to your plate as you take a bite.

Cocktails.
Many mixed drinks come with pretty accoutrements—swizzle sticks, paper umbrellas, and fruit. It can be disconcerting, trying to figure out whether to have a bite of the pineapple slice on the rim of your glass or whether it’s polite or not to pop that olive in your mouth. Etiquette dictates that the only non-edible item that should be left in your glass after finishing off your cocktail is a straw. Leave any umbrellas and sticks on the table or your plate, and while standing, hold such pieces in your napkin.

Caviar. Traditionally served in a bowl and on ice, caviar is meant to be spread in small amounts on bite-sized crackers or toasted triangles. When serving yourself, spoon a reasonable amount of caviar onto your plate and work them onto your bread, piece by piece, instead of scooping them directly onto the bread as you walk through the buffet table.

The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit mckinley.theblueleaf.com.ph for more information