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Food for a Sweet 16 Party
by Judy Asman
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Overview
Sweet 16 birthday parties are more than just celebrations of a teenager turning 16. In some Western cultures, they represent a young woman's coming of age. When you're hosting a Sweet 16 party, the pressure may be on to go lavish and extravagant, thanks to the popularity of MTV's "My Super Sweet 16." But you can plan a party that's cost-effective yet fun and suited to your daughter's personality.
A buttermilk birthday cake decorated with pink flowers.
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Slumber Party
A slumber party might take on a more casual tone, so celebrate with your daughter's favorite home-cooked meal, whether it's lasagna, crunchy tacos or hamburgers and the appropriate fixings. For dessert, go with the birthday girl's favorite cake. There also will be multiple trips to the refrigerator long after you're asleep, so stock up on popcorn, chips and cookies and milk.
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Island Theme
If your daughter's birthday is in the summer, celebrate Sweet 16 poolside and go with an island theme. Luau themes tend to be the most common, and the decorations and accessories are readily available. Your menu can include kalua pork, macaroni and white rice (see Resources). You can also serve fruity virgin cocktails decorated with umbrellas and pineapples on toothpicks.
For a Caribbean theme, you can serve jerk chicken dishes or shrimp dishes. If these options are too exotic for your youngster's taste buds, go with barbecue ribs or chicken.
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Ski Party
A ski party is a memorable way to celebrate Sweet 16 if your daughter's birthday is in the thick of winter. Hold your party in a ski lodge that has a special-events room and a catering menu or in a cabin near a ski resort. Start with a savory clam chowder and move on to Swedish meatballs or stuffed chicken. Serve the stuffing along with steamed and seasoned green beans as sides. Fondue is another fun choice for this climate and would be appropriate if you are celebrating with a small group. For dessert, hot cocoa is a must; it can accompany chocolate mousse or German chocolate cake.
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Red Carpet Theme
The point of a red-carpet party is to re-create an event for the Hollywood elite, so your event will require elegant foods with upscale presentation. Hire a caterer and a bartender donned in white shirts, black slacks and bow ties. The catering staff members can pass trays of finger appetizers, such as mini quiches, stuffed mushrooms or Thai chicken on skewers with peanut sauce. They also can pass flutes of sparkling apple cider while the bartender prepares virgin fruit drinks in Art Deco cocktail glasses.
The food table can serve as a centerpiece with the presentation of an exquisite banquet. The caterer can prepare multiple levels on the table that offer exotic cheeses, a ham for carving, Mediterranean olives and salads and delicate desserts, such as chocolate-covered strawberries. The centerpiece can be a glorious floral or edible fruit and vegetable arrangement.
