Cover Fresh flowers add vibrant charm to the buffet table, making holiday entertaining effortlessly elegant
Fresh flowers add vibrant charm to the buffet table, making holiday entertaining effortlessly elegant
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From thoughtful menus to stress-free hosting tips, Kaye Garcia makes holiday entertaining seamless while encouraging you to stay present with your guests
The holiday season is a time of joy and togetherness, but for many, it can also bring a sense of pressure and stress—especially when it comes to entertaining. The desire to create the perfect celebration, complete with delicious food, stunning decor, and a warm atmosphere, can sometimes overshadow the reason we gather: to connect with loved ones.
Kaye Garcia, a seasoned hostess, offers a refreshing approach to entertaining with grace and ease. Her thoughtful tips—ranging from elegant buffet setups to stress-free menu planning—emphasise connection over perfection, helping you enjoy the moments that matter with your loved ones.
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Above An inviting tablescape designed by Kaye Garcia
An inviting tablescape designed by Kaye Garcia
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What are your favourite ways to infuse a home with holiday cheer for a Christmas party?
In addition to the usual holiday decorations, such as the tree, wreaths, and garlands, I light scented candles appropriate to the season.
What is the secret to creating a cohesive and well-balanced menu with a good mix of flavours, textures, and colours?
My menu always starts with my guest list. I first consider what would please that particular group of people and their dietary restrictions (if any). I then decide on each main course. For example, if my main dish is Oxtail kare kare, which is very rich, I’ll choose other dishes to match that are lighter on the palette.
What are your tips for choosing easy dishes to prepare that still make an impact?
There are so many slow-cooked recipes with less than three ingredients. All you need is time. I do a 12-hour lamb recipe that only needs salt, pepper and duck fat. That is always a show-stopper.
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Above An exquisite buffet setup illuminated by candles for the holiday season
Above Exquisite caviar pie on display for guests to try
An exquisite buffet setup illuminated by candles for the holiday season
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What are the must-have decorative elements for a festive buffet setup?
The buffet is my favourite part of entertaining. The most important components are the vessels you will showcase your home-cooked or ordered food in. I plan the vessels, how to elevate some of them, how to keep them warm and where to position them so there’s enough space for the condiments of each dish. Then I decide on the linen, the lighting and the flowers. Never forget food labels, serving spoons and serving spoon rests!
Do you have any tips for labelling dishes in a way that’s elegant and helpful for guests?
I always print or have a professional calligrapher do my food labels. Labelling saves me the time and effort of explaining everything to my guests.
How do you incorporate different heights and textures to add dimension to a buffet table without making the setup feel crowded?
I try not to serve my food all in one height level. Elevating some dishes allows more space for something else to be positioned under it, like the condiments and serving spoon. Utilise the corners of the table by putting a dish diagonally situated there.
Above From the doorways to the buffet table, Kaye Garcia thoughtfully infuses each detail with holiday charm
From the doorways to the buffet table, Kaye Garcia thoughtfully infuses each detail with holiday charm
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What are some fun and creative ideas for party favours or take-home treats?
Since I cook most if not all of the food I serve, I don’t always prepare extra giveaways. I send the extra food home to my guests if and when they want to. On the occasion that I do, I make sure it’s something my guests can’t easily find at the mall or grocery.
What’s your ultimate tip for being a relaxed and gracious host during the year's busiest season?
For a big event like Thanksgiving or Christmas, I do as much as I can in advance. Whatever can be prepared earlier, I do earlier so that on the big day, oven time is all I’m doing. Everything from grocery shopping, tablescaping and food preparation is done in advance. Whatever can be cooked earlier is also cooked earlier. On the day, I always hire extra help like waiters because I want to be able to speak to my guests. I don’t want to spend all my time in the kitchen.
What's the most important lesson you've learned from hosting?
Lastly, when something doesn’t go as planned—like a dish that doesn’t taste like I wanted, something has broken that can’t be fixed, or a dish that never arrived, on the day of the event—I let it go. I forgive myself and I just enjoy the evening.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
