Celebrity Party Planner Colin Cowie on Entertaining
From:
Amy Gurvitz
370 days 3 hours 50 minutes ago
When Oprah Winfrey has you on speed dial, you know you’ve hit it big. Colin Cowie -- the go-to event planner for Oprah, not to mention Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston, and Elton John -- is the architect behind some of Hollywood’s most spectacular events. (Think Oprah’s Legends Ball and Elton’s Oscar party).
Born in Zambia and educated in South Africa, Cowie operates Colin Cowie Lifestyle offices in New York and Los Angeles, consulting on party and wedding planning, interior design, and food. He’s authored seven books on style and entertaining, and the eighth, 1001 Wedding Details, debuts this winter. Here he shares some secrets to a stylish soiree—and divulges his guiltiest food pleasure. –Amy Gurvitz Glam: What's always in your refrigerator?
CC: Salad ingredients—fresh lettuce, tomato, chives, parsley, garlic, and shallots—and a squeeze bottle of freshly made dressing: three parts oil to one part balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, freshly cracked pepper. Yogurt for a breakfast smoothie or as a garnish to a delicious store-bought soup. Condiments—lemon juice, soy sauce, Tabasco sauce, assorted chutneys, relishes, jellies, and jams. Also fresh fruits, eggs, milk and butter, two bottles of white wine, one bottle of bubbly, and a selection of beers, as well as a loaf of Ezekiel bread, assorted cheeses—goat, creamy Brie, Parmesan, and cheddar—and bottled water, sparkling and still.
Glam: What's your house wine or other beverage?
CC: Ananda di Toscana 2001, Mulderbosch 2003, and Stormhoek Pinotage 2005.
Glam: House bubbly?
CC: Billecart-Salmon Brut, Billecart-Salmon Rose, and Bollinger.
Glam: Food aversion?
CC: Surf and turf on the same buffet or plate.
Glam: Favorite cocktail?
CC: Vodka infused with lemongrass, ginger, and pineapple.
Glam: Favorite fast-food joint?
CC: Stand on 12th Street in New York.
Glam: Fast table decor tip you use when entertaining at home?
CC: Votives, tapers, and pillar candles. Candlelight makes everyone look more glamorous and adds elegance to the table.
Glam: Your guiltiest food pleasure?
CC: Truffle macaroni and cheese.
Glam: Favorite new kitchen toy?
CC: Krupps panini maker—I make the most amazing guilt-free bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches with grilled cheese and Canadian bacon on Ezekiel bread.
Glam: What do you tend to serve last-minute guests?
CC: Samosas with chili sauce from Audrey Peter. [House of Audrey, 410-945-2945.] I keep them in the freezer; they go straight from there to the frying pan.
Glam: What traits do you look for in a dining companion?
CC: Great attitude, good conversation, and, of course, always properly dressed for the occasion.
Glam: Is there anything that ensures a guest won’t be invited to your next party?
CC: When a guest calls and cancels last-minute, arrives more that 30 minutes late, or brings an uninvited guest.
Glam: Secret to being a good host?
CC: Make your guests feel welcome from the moment they walk in the door. Offer a great cocktail as soon as they arrive, have a great mix of music playing, make sure the lights are dimmed, and keep things moving so they never look at their watch.
Glam: Current favorite party favor?
CC: A custom CD of my favorite music.
Glam: What’s the hot new trend in weddings?
CC: For your reception, seating guests at long tables and serving the meal family-style, with platters down the center of the table and allowing guests to serve themselves.
Glam: What is the one thing couples should never skimp on when planning a wedding?
CC: Food and beverage and music—the basic elements of a good party.
