A party for me. Oh my.
A party for others; those I can do. Over the years birthday celebrations for the husband have included surprises at restaurants where he’s pondered why 30 of his friends are seated at tables around him. There have been sly trips away and sweet dinners at home. This year his party built around a bespoke black forrest cake that nearly broke me.
It’s not that we don’t celebrate my birthday- but it’s usually a small (and painfully pricey) dinner out. The last time I had a proper party was my twenty first. The next major celebration was our wedding.
But this was an event just for me. I was told we’ll eat what I like, based solely on what my favourite things are. It’s the female food lover’s equivalent of crafting a fantasy baseball team. All of the best players, all together on one field.
Except when the question of favourites was posed I couldn’t name anything. Maria had schnitzel on noodles and crisp apple strudels. The spouse has wheat beers and pork ribs. I sat there at dinner in awkward silence and grasped for things to name. ‘Bread?’ . ‘Salt?’ ‘Pepper?’ I suggested.
‘Stop naming things on the table’ he said.
I rationalised that maybe like a mother to seven children; as someone who works with food to select one or two options above the others would seem cruel.
‘Food has no emotions. Choose’; may have been the response.
And maybe it’s just that I’m not that great at putting myself first. I could name it for my mother. I could do it for my sister, my dad, my husband, all in thirty seconds.
So I started farming for happy memories. They started with people, but I found food in their wake. So that’s how we came up with the following.
- Platter of cured meats and soft cheeses. For all the lazy lunches spent eating ham and cheese and bread with my Mum.
- Baked gnocchi with tomato, mozzarella and basil. During my first snow in London this was what I cooked when I I trying to make a place so unfamiliar feel like home. It worked.
- A big green salad, with fennel and goat’s feta. A table isn’t complete at my sister’s without a large salad as a centrepiece (traditionally served with one from her collection of artistic salad servers).
- Apple tart. Sometimes after Saturday swimming club Dad would stop and we’d get a plaited apple and custard tart to share for brunch.
It was rustic sort of feast- and while the dress may have been a little over the top, the crowd was very small. It wasn’t about the food, it was about the people that came forward in every bite
So while my family might not have been here to celebrate my 30th birthday with me, in a sense they were,
And that’s how I found my favourite things.
Next year I’ll get to work on a song to go with it.
L LIKE your fab things! And by the looks of it, that black Forrest cake looks worth it it! I hear ya…as I approach my later years, birthdays are less of a big deal and more centered around good food rather than partying till you drop. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Darling! I'm the same way when it comes to naming my favorite foods…I have no idea why it's so hard, lol! Sounds like your favorites are fantastic, and I love how each has a special significance.
Happy 30th! That dress was so not over the top, turning 30 is an important milestone, glad you had a great time.
p.s That cake looks amazing, yum.
I adore your dress. And was that a Vacherin I spied in the first picture, one of my all time favorite things in the world? Hope you really had a wonderful 30th.
It was indeed a vacherin. Gorgeous and indulgent stuff (though not so helpful for next time I fancy wearing the dress… 🙂
That's such a damn lovely way of working out a birthday meal. And I found your indecision before getting to that calm stage both hilarious and relatable 🙂
Apple tart – you cannot go wrong with it!
Happy birthday! What a wonderful list of favourite things 🙂
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful collection of your favorite things. That apple tart looks wonderful.
Happy Birthday!:)
I love your list of favorite things! If I were to list mine down, it would take a long long list too…LOL:p
ok.trop cool et je reviendrai la prochaine fois.
Happy Birthday Tori!! And you look fabulous in your dress I must say 🙂
Happy Birthday!
Apply pie is a top choice. Tarte aux pomme would definitely be on my dream menu.