{"id":7834,"date":"2020-12-07T11:28:56","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T09:28:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-west\/?p=7834"},"modified":"2024-05-31T09:15:28","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T07:15:28","slug":"ready-set-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-west\/blog\/2020\/12\/07\/ready-set-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Ready, set, party"},"content":{"rendered":"

Though social gatherings are much more intimate these days, they are here to stay. <\/strong>Cook and all-round event planner extraordinaire, Debbie Hannibal chats <\/strong>about loving all things party and offers a few tips for stress-free hosting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Years ago, Debbie Hannibal\u2019s idea of a quick and easy meal was bangers and mash. Not quite the type of dish a foodie would admit to be serving … Nowadays, the cheerful and free-spirited Debbie whips up lip-smacking-good dishes with the same heartiness, but keeping it simpler, and adding her creativity that has made her the successful cook she is today.<\/p>\n

Craig and Debbie\u2019s home has been described as an entertainment hotel, merely because you never leave there empty-handed. Debbie is not one bit afraid to go all out, and by that we mean you can expect a party like none other if you are invited over \u2026 every single time. Hosting people doesn\u2019t frazzle her, in fact, nothing makes her happier. Whether it is an impromptu dinner or entertaining friends and family, spoiling people with food is what makes her tick.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t expect to be served boring finger foods (a food trend that should rather go, according to her). Instead, you will indulge in food to swoon over \u2026 like her signature baked brie wheel with sundried tomatoes, tomato jam and olive pesto served with warm olive ciabatta, or hot fondant potato thickly smeared with cold Lurpak butter, Maldon salt and a rosemary needle. Almost impossible to think bangers and mash were once her tried-and-tested meal \u2026<\/p>\n

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Debbie\u2019s late mother was her first culinary inspiration and, determined to recreate the flavours and fragrances of her childhood, she enrolled at a hotel school.
\nThe catering industry followed and expecting something entirely different, Debbie was soon bored by budgets and stock sheets, and subsequently lost all interest in the kitchen
\nBut, after attending a friend (also her kitchen muse), Lisa Brink\u2019s creative cooking classes, she plucked up the courage to start her own culinary studio. Soon, her classes were jam-packed.<\/p>\n

\u2018For the past few years, virtually every waking moment has been consumed by teaching, testing, food styling, photography, updating my Cook Studio Facebook page, pinning, blogging and helping friends throw stylish parties.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve decided to take a much-needed break from my cooking school. This doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m going to sip on Mimosa\u2019s all day long \u2026 I love being busy and need to keep up the same energy. I find cooking, organising, entertaining and socialising uplifting, and I always have a project on the go \u2013 from planning parties to community work. So, I\u2019m going to spend more time on my blog. Although I prefer being in the kitchen to being on a computer, I just have so many recipes and ideas to share!<\/p>\n

\u2018On my blog, you will find exactly what women want. How to entertain without having a breakdown. Some women find the thought of entertaining terrifying while others do not have the time. Teaching how to add the wow factor to simplicity is what all women love.
\n\u2018Plus, I have all my old course notes up with loads of original recipes you can try.\u2019<\/p>\n

When Debbie is not busy whipping up a MasterChef creation, she is mom to two daughters, Alex and Camilla, does creative graphic work for friends and family setting up a new business, spends time on their boat at the Vaal Dam and reads recipe books like they are novels.
\nThe holiday season is here and gatherings or parties, although much smaller, are on the cards. What is Debbie\u2019s recipe to a successful get-together?<\/p>\n

\u2018Make sure each guest is treated as important as the next. Apart from serving good food, music, a planned playlist, champagne and a theme are musts. You don\u2019t need to break the bank, think anything with a dash of vintage or kitsch. Nothing is too corny to add to a theme. And oops moments happen, so if you stumble, make it part of the dance.\u2019<\/p>\n

A table setting idea:<\/strong><\/p>\n