Paris Birthday Party -Part Two: The Food

French Inspired Paris Lunch Menu

You think France and you think wine and cheese…but not so much the wine for a group of 11 year olds, so we went with cheese.  Nothing too exotic considering they were kids, just some cheddar, marble, swiss and brie.  We served them with sliced baguette -of course and crackers, along with a little fruit, and some chutneys.

There was also pate, and some cured sausage.

A favourite little detail was the tiny mustard pot I found at a second hand store a few weeks ago.

We served some veggies and dip, and thought they looked pretty in different heights of mason jars.

We also made sandwiches -think enjoying the sights of Paris and stopping for a baguette with ham and cheese for lunch on the banks of the river, sweet memories of an incredible city.

There was ham and swiss cheese, or roast beef and havarti with lettuce.  We made half on baguette and half on croissants.

We also put out a plate of fresh croissants and some jam and butter, just in case some of the kids like things a little plainer.

French Party Food Menu

• Cheese -brie, cheddar, marble, swiss
• baguette
• fruit -grapes, plums, apple slices, pear slices
• chutneys
• pate
• cured meats
• veggies and dip -cucumber, peppers, carrots, cherry tomatoes
• roast beef, havarti, and lettuce sandwiches on baguette or croissant
• ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches on baguette or croissant
• plain croissants with butter and jam

This was the perfect easy and delicious menu.  It was low key and easy to put together after a trip to the bakery on the morning of the party, and there was really something for everyone.

French Inspired Drinks

For drinks, we made a simple pink lemonade punch, and I just happened to have Eiffel tower glasses already, so they were perfect for the occasion.

After the yummy lunch it was time for dessert!

French Inspired Paris Dessert Table

• Macarons
• Eiffel Tower Sugar Cookies
• Cupcakes
• Eclairs
• Cream Puffs
• Chocolate Eiffel Tower Lollipops

We set up the dessert table in the dining room.

Macarons

The big deal of the dessert table was homemade macarons.  If you know these cookies you know how famously French they are, and how notoriously difficult they are to make.

I’ve made them before, with mostly good results, you can read all about it and find my recipe here.

For this party we knew we wanted to have a few different kinds, so that meant several batches.  I had mixed results again.  I did think to myself at one point, they’re just cookies, it’s not rocket science.  Rocket science is probably easier.  In hind sight, I maybe should have just picked some up at the bakery, but they’re so expensive it seemed worth it to give them a try.  I made vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, and attempted peach -although only a few of the those seemed worthy to make it to the dessert table.  They were much enjoyed by the guests, and even sent home with a few of the them too -so all things considered a success.

Most of my energy went into making the macarons, so the rest of the dessert table was pretty easy.

Eiffel Tower Sugar Cookies

My good friend Heather kindly made the Eiffel tower sugar cookies, which looked and tasted amazing.  We’ve kind of got into the habit of baking something special for each others parties.  It really is such a big help.  If you have a baking buddy, I highly recommend it.  It’s a great help the day before a party you’re hosting to have one less thing to worry about.  And it’s not too big a deal when you’re reciprocating the favour, since it’s only one thing to worry about.

Cream Puffs, Eclairs, and Cupcakes

We wanted to go with as many French inspired items as we could, so we thought cream puffs and eclairs would be a good addition.  We actually just picked up some frozen ones at the grocery store and they were delicious and obviously super easy.

I also picked up a dozen cupcakes at my favourite cupcake spot.  I added in the pics to match the rest of the decor.

Chocolate Eiffel Tower Lollipops

Lastly, I picked up a chocolate Eiffel tower lollipop mold and used some pink chocolate to make some.  The kids really, really liked these.  They were fairly easy to make.   Once I figured out the trick of banging the mold on the table to get any little air bubbles out it went even better.  They were a great addition to the loot bags too.

So there’s our French themed menu, pretty easy to put together and a huge hit with the guests -not to mention how much I enjoyed the leftovers…think Mommy with a glass of wine, cheese, crackers and Netflix after the kids went to bed that night.

With a yummy Paris Birthday Party French Food Menu, life really is a party!

 

And just incase you missed it, be sure to check out Part One of this party, which features all the decor and activities.

You might also enjoy our French Picnic Menu -click here.