Urbane Living

This article was written by Aryani V.

Whoever decided to roll breakfast and lunch into one meal is pure genius. There’s really no better way to jazz up a lazy Sunday morning than by having an incredible brunch. It’s also the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion or catch up with friends. And it doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy for it to be satisfying and entertaining. So skip the restaurant and use this simple how-to guide to host a brunch in the comfort of your own home.

First thing’s first. Make a detailed schedule. This may seem unneccessary but be warned: hosting brunch can be a lot more overwhelming than you think. The most tricky part of arranging a big get-together like this is the timing so it’s best not to improvise as you go along. Here’s a step-by-step to-do list that will save you a lot of time, worry and headaches.

1. Choose the date and time (Brunch can be served anytime between 10am and 1pm).
2. Invite guests (Inform them of the dress code and the theme of your brunch).
3. Plan the menu and shop for ingredients.
4. Start prepping food a day beforehand (See below for food ideas).
5. Clean and decorate your home according to the formality and/or theme of the brunch.
6. Wake up early and set the table.
7. Put final touches on food and drinks (Arrange pastries and breads on a serving tray/rack, start boiling water for tea and coffee, and set ice cubes out for cold drinks).
8. Play music that matches the mood of your brunch and place the food on the table.
9. Greet your guests, serve them drinks and lead them to the table.
10. Finally, sit down, relax and enjoy yourself!

Of course, the most essential part of brunch is the food. Brunch is all about soul-satisfying, delicious food. So don’t overthink the menu and save yourself a lot of money and stress by sticking to simple, no-fuss dishes that can be prepared in advanced and easily stored in the freezer if necessary. For your menu items, think opposites: sweet and savory, hot and refreshing, and light and decadent. And if your brunch has a theme, prepare foods that go along with it. Serve your brunch buffet-style so that your guests can serve themselves and choose what they want to eat.

Serve something…

• Fresh and fruity – Try: Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing or Mixed Marinated Fruit
• Rich and eggy – Try: Ham and Asparagus Quiche or Baked Eggs with Spinach and Mushrooms
• Bready – Try: Bacon Onion Cheddar Biscuits or Savory Bread Pudding
• Meaty or fishy – Try: Smoked Salmon Cakes or Sausage Hash With Apples & Sage
• Sugary and sweet – Try: Big Crumb Coffee Cake or Raspberry and Chocolate Scones
• Boozy – Try: Mimosa or Bloody Mary

Be creative with brunch! For a fun twist, give your casual or formal brunch a theme, like Hawaiian Luau or Garden Tea Party. Or if you’re on a tight budget, ask your guests to bring the drinks or organize a potluck brunch. With a little planning and creativity, you’ll be able to serve up a memorable brunch that everyone, including you, will enjoy.

Also check out:
Hosting Series Part 2: Happy Hour at Home
Hosting Series Part 3: The Ultimate Beach Party