how to make takeout look like catering

produced by    ANNA KOCHARIAN photography by    MICHAEL WILTBANK

When it comes to planning and prepping for a dinner party, things can get stressful. We know. Enter a rather untraditional concept that requires a fraction of the prep time and an equally delicious outcome. Take a look!

The next time you find yourself tempted to Seamless an entire meal, don’t hold back. While it’s no secret that take-out containers aren’t the most attractive, we rounded up a few clever tricks of the trade, to take your food from on-the-go to dinner party fab.

table setting 101 From fine linens to elegant flatware, a detailed place setting can set a proper tone for the evening, regardless of what’s on the menu. Case in point? Take a peek at how a simple swap-out of containers transformed these classic takeout staples.

solid linen napkins with a slightly textured touch

basic white plates with a delicate gold rim

copper cutlery

elegant tumblers for the wine

for the appetizers

for the main course

distract the eye From extravagant centerpieces to an unusually busy table, fill the table with an array of textured accents and eye-catching details. We opted for a few sporadic clusters of exotic palms to set the tone.

ON THE MENU  fresh veggie spring rolls

shrimp shumai

coconut curry

soup chicken

satay sesame chicken

chicken pad thai

beef fried green beans and rice

garnish it Salt and pepper, fresh herbs, and even colorful spice mixtures (if you’re feeling bold) always add a dynamic layer to even the simplest of dishes. Consider these reinvented.

coconut curry soup 
Add in strips of chicken, with strands of cilantro, and chopped peanuts.

chicken satay 
Topped with diced scallions, jalapenos, cilantro, and peanuts. We garnished the dish with freshly squeezed lime juice and a drizzle of hot sauce.

sesame chicken
Fresh sesame seeds and diced jalapenos for a spicy kick.

chicken pad thai 
Peanuts and roughly chopped cilantro, lend a refreshing touch to this classic.