Halfway between breakfast and lunch, brunch originated in England in the 19th century, only to quickly conquer hearts and tables around the world.
Whether you’re hosting a brunch party or are just interested in the subject, in this article you’ll learn how to host a perfect brunch.
How was brunch invented?
Brunch originated in England in the 19th century, when people would host large buffets at villas and mansions after hunting trips.
The term was coined by a gentleman named Guy Beringer in 1895, who defined brunch as the ideal Sunday morning breakfast following a Saturday night event.
Beringer indirectly associated it with the hunter’s meal, describing it as a pleasant moment of joy and socializing with loved ones, in which the typical Sunday supper was replaced with a lighter version that made post-hunting tasks easier.
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The popularity of brunch peaked at the end of World War II, when living standards became more evenly distributed across society.
When is the best time to serve brunch?
Traditionally, the best time to serve brunch is between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm Initially, there was a difference between brunch (whether the meal is before or after breakfast) and blunch (whether it is before or after lunch).
What is served at a brunch party?
If you’re hosting a brunch party, you’ll want to keep these elements in mind:
- Drinks
- Fruit
- Eggs
- Bread
- Dessert
1. Drinks
Brunch foods should be paired with brunch cocktails and juices! Coffee, tea, orange juice, smoothies, and mimosas are brunch favorites that will brighten up your table.
If you want to give your brunch a rustic feel, you can serve your guests’ drinks in Mason jars.
2. Fruit
At a typical brunch, any type of fresh fruit is welcome. It can be eaten whole, in jam, canned, sliced, in a fruit salad, or on skewers.
3. No eggs, no brunch
Eggs are a great source of energy and can be cooked in a variety of ways. If you’re hosting a brunch on a budget, you can simply go with scrambled eggs.
If you want to impress your guest list, then Eggs Benedict should be on your brunch menu.
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These are poached eggs placed on a toasted English muffin, served with baked ham or bacon, and topped with hollandaise sauce.
4. Bread
It’s best to provide different types of bread to accompany your delicious brunch options: white bread, multigrain bread, rye, sourdough… You could even make homemade bread.
Although bread is only a complement to the meal, its place on the brunch party menu shouldn’t be overlooked. As you plan a brunch menu, find out if any of your guests are gluten-free.
5. Dessert
Cookies, pancakes, waffles, and brownies are some of the comfort food staples that can make anyone’s life feel better for a moment.
Even if all your guests are diagnosed with a severe case of food coma after the main course, a small treat for those with a sweet tooth is a nice touch.
What is a typical brunch menu?
A typical brunch menu should consist of items that complement each other. Just like a restaurant menu, there should be some appetizers, a main course, and desserts.
Appetizers can be side dishes like hash browns, bacon, fruit, or salad. These brunch foods are meant to balance the main course.
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For example, if the main course is heavy on sausages, a delicious leafy salad or fruit can help digest all that meat.
While sausages or ham are soft to the bite, a hash brown will be crispy. It’s all about counterbalance.
6 Tips for planning the perfect brunch
Don’t know much about planning a brunch menu? Here are 6 tips for planning the perfect brunch.
1. Prepare some things a day in advance
It’s best to prepare desserts the day before, as well as those dishes that require baking. This way, you can use the oven to toast freshly sliced bread just before your guests arrive.
You can also prepare and refrigerate sauces, which should be served in bowls and containers covered with plastic wrap. It’s also a good idea to keep pre-washed salads in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
Table setting shouldn’t be left to the last minute. Think about the logistics behind your brunch and see if there’s enough space for all your dishes.
2. Less is more.
If you have a large crowd, it’s better to limit the variety and focus on serving more food. It would be a shame to spend all your time cooking while all your guests are waiting for you and your food.
3. How to set the table for brunch
The way you set the table for brunch will depend on the number of guests. If there will be a lot of people celebrating, it might be worth placing a table along a wall as a buffet area.
However, if you’re only hosting a couple of guests, table decor can be a nice personal touch.
After selecting the right tablecloth, you should place the rest of the tablecloth. You should arrange the cutlery, plates, napkins, and glasses, leaving room for side dishes and drinks.
4. Finishing touches
Shortly before your guests arrive, you can cut all the dishes into portions and place them on platters for easy serving.
Even the bowls, each with a different sauce or cream, should be arranged in an organized manner, each with its own spoon or knife.
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The living room should be ready to welcome your guests to ensure a smooth transition between eating and talking.
5. Hire a personal chef
Don’t want to go through the exhausting task of preparing a menu for all your guests? Hire a personal chef , and they’ll take care of everything.
Your personal chef will purchase the highest-quality ingredients, cater to your specific needs, and create the perfect brunch menu.
Your personal chef will serve the food, wash the dishes, and even clean the kitchen before you leave.
What are the best brunch themes?
The best brunch themes are:
- Color theme
- Pancake Party
- Television program
- Choose a country
Color theme
How about an all-green brunch party menu? Or maybe all-red? The concept revolves around the idea of choosing a color and sticking with it.
It would be a nice addition if your guests were required to wear the same designated color.
Pancake Party
Who doesn’t love pancakes? They’re very popular because they can be savory or sweet. You can make pancakes with bacon or chocolate chips in the batter.
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Just make sure you have a variety of toppings so your guests can choose their favorites.
Television program
Think of one of your favorite series and draw inspiration from its universe for your brunch meals. You can create a quick and easy brunch menu themed around it.
For a more immersive experience, you can also purchase decor related to the TV show, as well as some props for your guests to use!
Choose a country
How about an Italian, Japanese, Peruvian, or English brunch? Not only will you discover a whole new culinary world, but your guests will be pleasantly surprised if you show them you can master a cuisine not from your home country.
