My entertaining includes children. Whether we're hosting a daytime get-together by the pool or an adult dinner party with kids tagging along, it's important to have a plan for the small fry.
The lunch-box meal is a perfect way to feed your child guests while minimizing set-up and cleanup. You can use basic cardboard boxes or colourful plastic ones from a dollar store. But I like these old-fashioned mini-lunch boxes we found at the Papery in Toronto (about $12, available from most gift and card stores nationwide), or colourful steel galvanized buckets (garden centres or IKEA usually have a good selection).
The idea is to prepare the meal ahead and then load up the lunch boxes just before it's time to eat.
Items that work well are veggie sticks with dip, mini-sandwiches, and even a portion of fish and chips in a newsprint cone (this last one may take a bit more work). We also include a whole fresh fruit, a cookie or sweet, and a juice bottle.
The boxes look great lined up, and the kids are happy to pick up their meal and head back to wherever they were before the dinner bell rang. When it comes time for cleanup, empty out and wipe clean, or let the kids take the boxes home as a party gift.
Consider it a version of the happy meal – you can even throw in a small toy to keep the kids busy while the adults enjoy their dinner.
Sebastien Centner is the director of Eatertainment Special Events & Catering (www.eatertainment.com).
