What's trending now?

After spending the day in Pasadena at Biz Bash, an event planner trade show, I've come back inspired and with some great ideas.

So what are event planners still talking about this year? My favorite subject...food! 2011 has been all about the power of food from Celebrity Chefs to food trucks. Having a celebrity chef at your next event would certainly add a WOW to it. Think of all the Top Chef contestants you have to choose from or pick the chef from your favorite local venue. Your guests will certainly feel special when your chef comes out in jacket and hat to present the dinner to your guests.

If that feels a bit too pretentious, then think about making the food itself the celebrity. How about a chocolate lounge or wine and cheese pairings? In the dessert arena, it's all about mini pies. Put together your own pie shop and let your guests have at it. Or, if pie feels too pedestrian go for gelato floats... an inspired twist on the milkshake and rootbeer float. An espresso gelato floating in cream soda will add that air of sophistication you crave.

Photo: Southeast Star

2011 is also the year of "cravings." This is one of the reasons that the food truck has become so popular. Having a bite of this and a taste of that is the new trend. So food trucks which have been around construction sites for years and then turned gourmet about three years ago have really hit their stride. Now every party seems to have a mini donut, ice cream or grilled cheese truck on call. At the top of the list is Top Chef Masters contestant chef Ludo Lefebvre’s Ludo Truck and his “pop up” restaurant Ludo Bites. The restaurant has no permanent address or phone number so it can just as easily set up at your event as anywhere. If you have a craving for fried chicken balls, fries in truffle oil, or crispy octopus with smoky chipotle, Ludo’s your guy.

To go along with all this on the fly dining is the trend toward communal dining. Long tables with food passed around like Sunday dinner when you were a kid. Translate this trend for your wedding or event with long tables instead of rounds. Dress it down for an afternoon event or spruce it up for a formal dinner.

Photo: Town & Country rentals

It’s all about what you love and who you love to share it with.

Enjoy!

Saying goodbye to another summer

Summer is almost gone but with Labor Day just around the corner, there's one last opportunity to get your grill on.

Start with a little motivation for dad. The Wireless Remote GrillingThermometer from Williams-Sonoma ($59.95) lets dad monitor roasting meats andpoultry from up to 150 feet away. So dad can step away from the grill and interact with the kids. An alarm lets you know when the food is ready.

Then set up your own backyard camping experience with a pop-up or make-shift tent, lanterns, blankets and pillows.

Dad and kids can build their own s’mores in this Indoor S’more Maker basket from Plow Hearth ($24.95). The basket can be used in the oven,toaster oven or barbecue. If using in the oven, be sure to stack the rack on a cookie sheet to catch those gooey marshmallow drips.

Wireless Remote GrillingThermometer, $59.95 Williams Sonoma

Indoor S'more Maker, $24.95 Plow & Hearth

Camping Photo Credit: Ash Tree Cottage

Bringing it all together

Welcome to the new Your Best Event blog. Over the next two weeks, we'll be transferring posts from the old blog into this one and closing down the old site so that everything you need, you can find in one place! We've also adding all our social media links so that you can contact us and share your favorite posts.