Food & Wine
Under the Moonlit Sky
Roll out a banquet of food, fun and fall fanfare to celebrate the season in style.
BY
Corie Dugas
PHOTOGRAPHY
Frank DiPiazza; Table top photography by Michael Jacob



It’s a sure sign that a party is a success when guests are clamoring for an invite to next year’s bash months in advance. Jeanie Hood has carved out her niche as the ultimate fall party hostess with an annual event she has been hosting for 12 years, the past seven of those at her secluded home in Wildwood.

“The party has gone from a few friends gathering by the fire to a huge affair,” says Jeanie. The success of her yearly shindig got all of us at SLHL fired up about learning a trick or two from the hostess and offering suggestions on how to create your own fabulous fall party.

Although Jeanie loosely begins planning months ahead, she sends out invites three weeks in advance, then two weeks prior to the festivities she moves to full-on party mode. Jeanie enlists the help of her significant other, Alan Schweiss, to help with the preparations. As owner of Three French Hens, an antique and design shop, she pulls much of the décor from her own collection. The key styling elements, however, are the produce and plants that are in season during the fall months. Containers overflowing with orange, maroon and golden yellow mums add warm color, while hay bales and ears of corn adorn tables.

Another important seasonal element is pumpkin carvings. Rombach Farms is just the place to get the perfect pumpkins to transform into one-of-a-kind works of art. Jeanie brought in Terry and Christina Johnson, a father-and-daughter pumpkin-carving team, whose creations brought the décor to life, lending a spirited feel to the outdoors theme. The Johnsons used a variety of gourds and pumpkins to bring a range of styles to the environment. Jeanie uses the carvings to greet guests as they arrive at her home. “We have pumpkins carved to say ‘Welcome’ so that everyone sees them when they arrive,” Jeanie says.

Friends are invited to gather around a blazing bonfire and visit the buffet table lined with scrumptious food and drinks. Chris Hancock, chef at Hawthorne Inn, created a lavish feast featuring an assortment of comfort foods especially appropriate for fall. The arrival of cool weather encourages people to be outside, and Chris says the comfort food, “gives people something hearty to eat on a crisp fall night.”

The party culminates with singing and dancing. Spur-of-the-moment karaoke mixes with live music performed by talented guests. Regardless of age, dancing is the ticket at this celebration. As the visitors slip away, Jeanie lets them know she was happy to have them and passes out the ornately carved pumpkins as mementos of the exciting evening. Then comes the wait for the invite to next year’s fall party.

Autumn Ambiance
As fall brings a blast of harvest orange and gold to your outdoor space, infuse the natural elements into your party’s seasonal theme.

Festive Feast
Chef Chris Hancock of Hawthorne Inn put together a delightful menu of fall foods:
• Wild mushroom and gorgonzola tarts
• Skewered beef with peppercorn brandy sauce
• Rosemary-roasted potato medley
• Mini quiches
• Chicken corn chowder
• Roasted apple tarts
• Mulled cider

Fresh Gourds
Here are a few insider tips from the experts to keep your pumpkins fresh and looking fantastic:
• Terry Johnson suggests, “Apply an acrylic-based clear coat to carved pumpkins to keep them looking fresh. If the pumpkins start to dry out, set them in a tub of cold water overnight.   They soak up the water and regain their shape.”
• “The natural light of candles is much brighter than artificial lights; I use votive candles to    light the pumpkins,” offers Jeanie Hood.
• “Visit Rombach Farms Pumpkin Patch to purchase your pumpkins up to a week before   your party, but carve them the night before to achieve the ideal seasonal nighttime look,” according to Sarah Moritz, manager.

Air of Entertainment
The chill in the air puts guests in the mood to move, and we have some suggestions to keep partygoers warm.
• Karaoke – One of her favorite activities, Jeanie says, “Everyone sings at least one song.”
• Bonfire – The “hang out” spot for keeping warm. Cooking s’mores with the kids is always enjoyable.
• Song and Dance – Let your musical guests know they are welcome to bring their instruments to strum as evening sets in.