STARKVILLE — Bridgett Harding, owner of Harding Catering, demonstrated catering and decorating techniques at the March 6 meeting of the Starkville Town and Country Garden Club at the home of Susan Turner.
“Our theme for this month’s meeting was hospitality; therefore, we invited Bridgett Harding to share some of her catering and decorating techniques with us since she is an experienced and sought after caterer,” said Lynne Strickland, vice president of the Starkville Town and Country Garden Club.
Harding and her assistant, Chloe Shelton, demonstrated hot food trends, such as a butter board, and how to use boxes and fabric to create a more interesting table display.
“You know entertaining is sometimes overwhelming,” said Harding. “When you have people in your home, it can be stressful. Entertaining doesn’t have to be a big deal. Everything does not have to be homemade. The key is to just have people in your home and to socialize. There is just something special about breaking bread with someone.”
Harding described how to create individual charcuterie bowls that fit on top of a wine glass, which guests can easily pick up. Normally a charcuterie board consists of a wide selection of foods such as cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and crackers, served on a wooden board, and guests serve themselves. Having the individual charcuterie bowls makes it easier for guests and allows them more time to visit.
Shelton demonstrated how five pieces of prosciutto, salami, or pepperoni can be rolled up into a flower and secured with a toothpick for the charcuterie bowl while Harding explained the process.
According to the Harding Catering Mississippi website, Harding is a graduate of Mississippi State University. Harding spent a summer in France before returning home to Mississippi to attend culinary school at Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi. Upon completion of culinary school, she worked for several large corporations and then became the lead banquet chef for the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. She decided to return to Mississippi where she found all the true “loves” of her life: her husband, her three children, and owning her own catering business.
In addition to the educational presentation, Club President Kathryn Davis conducted the business meeting and members enjoyed delicious appetizers prepared by hostesses Susan Turner, Tracey Millsaps, Cindy Melby, Michele Rackley and Holly Estes.
The Starkville Town and Country Garden Club strives to improve the knowledge of its members through monthly educational programs, regional workshops and the sharing of information and resources among club members.
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