A Guide to Partying, Thai-style

Need an interesting theme to perk up your next get together? Look toward the aromatic cuisine of Thailand for inspiration and ideas. Take your guests on a journey of discovery into the kaffir lime and lemongrass scented streets and kitchens of Thailand. Introduce them to the funky, complex flavours that play around and dance on the palate.

At the heart of the very many curries, grilled meats, stir-fries, noodles dishes and sauces of Thai cuisine is the skillful juggling of colours, textures, flavours and aromas. Thai cooking places an emphasis on freshly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components and a spicy edge. It’s known for its complex interplay of four or five fundamental tastes in each dish or the overall meal: sour, sweet, salty, bitter and spicy. Any interpretation of Thai cuisine includes paying its respect to high-quality, fresh produce quickly prepared and expertly seasoned till the meal resonates with the spicy, challenging and complex flavours Thai food is known for the world over.

Start with welcoming your guests with shots of Thai iced tea. This is a traditional Thai beverage brewed from strong black tea and spiced with star anise and cardamom highlighted by the tang of tamarind, creamy and sweet from the addition of condensed milk, it will be perfect as an ice breaker. A spicy Lychee-chili lemonade could also get the party started,  just, lightly blend lychee juice, lemon juice, salt, sugar with de-seeded bird’s eye chili and serve chilled on ice!

Plan a lavish, colourful spread of small bites for guests to nibble on. Get innovative with Thai inspired tapas maybe? Small bowls of kaffir and chilli spiced nuts, bite sized servings of some of those wonderful Thai salads; som tam, long bean, pulled meat, larb gai. Bring alive Thailand’s vibrant street food scene with a bite sized version of classic Chicken satay with a spicy peanut sauce or crunchy lettuce cups filled with an assortment of veggies dressed up with a sweet-sour-spicy dipping sauce.

Add some oomph to your party with a live Pad Thai bar! Don your chef’s hat and dish up portions of this iconic spicy-sour noodle dish for your guests! Ensue you have all the right  sauces for each diner to customize their dishes; a typical Thai dinner table will feature the umami rich fish sauce, super spicy Sriracha, and nam phrik; a combination of chillies, garlic, onions, lime juice and fish sauce. 

And when it comes to main course, Thai cuisine offers a wide range of dishes featuring meats, seafood and vegetables all centered on delicate, steamed jasmine rice. So pre-make and serve up numerous bowls of curries, stir-fries and dipping sauces with steamed rice. For instance, a Thai themed party is incomplete without a Red or Green curry with chicken or prawns. 

End this veritable Thai feast on a sweet note with an assortment of desserts that your guests can pick from. Go traditional with bite sized portions of sticky rice with mango. Or try it with caramelized pineapples, make a coconut version of crème caramel finished with a kaffir infused sugar or let your guests top bowls of shaved ice with their choice of fruit, syrup and coconut milk for ice kachang.

Renowned the world over for its bold, flavours and fabulous textures one thing is for sure a Thai theme will ensure your next party is memorable and well received!