Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Pink Party – Le Diner Presque Parfait

Casanova-medal

Tomorrow night my friend Melanie is having a

Pink Party.

It started the other night at my house, when some of the people gathered starting talking about this TV show called, "Le Diner Presque Parfait".  I do not have a TV, so they filled me in. Le Diner Presque Parfait is a TV show where a couples compete, by creating the PERFECT dinner party, and the people invited enjoy and judge it.

It sounds brutal and fun… Crazy and tasty.. and Dreamy and nerve wracking.
Melanie is NUTS to go first!

Three couples decided to be part of a dinner party game. Each couple is to pick a theme, plan the dinner around the theme, and have the other couples over to enjoy and judge it.

I guess I gotta wear pink, and French Husband too.

I hope she has PINK CHAMPAGNE!

Do you have any other helpful hints for Melaine for tomorrow night??

(p.s. Of course I'll give her a pink star!)
(p.s.s. What theme should I pick??? I am next week!!!)

Comments

37 responses to “The Pink Party – Le Diner Presque Parfait”

  1. Wylie

    Why don’t you do an American dinner, Corey? Maybe like a typical dinner your mother would cook? That would be a little unique for your guests, n’est-ce pas?
    _______________________
    Now I hadn’t thought of that…
    My mother’s recipes are mainly with meat, and we do not eat meat. It makes it trickier for the other players, not to serve meat…

    Reply
  2. kay

    This sounds like the english tv series ‘come dine with me’…I like Wylies’ idea…or a season out of the season..if you get me…like halloween now…can’t wait to hear about it!!

    Reply
  3. kelleyn

    This show is also in the U.S. and in Germany. It is brutal. The show judges more than the food though because it also judges the table setting. With the strawberries I am sure she can create an amazing dessert and for a salad she could have a spinach salad with pink grapefruit with red onions and a vinegrette. I can’t wait to see photos if you take any. I am sure it is amazing. Ready your blog makes me want to move to France and learn how to speak French.
    _______________
    Oh yes, we are judging more than the food too!! I told her she better have pink soap in the bathroom, a pink apron and a pink bra under her dress, lol! We are to judge the decorations, the drinks, the table, the food…everything.
    Brutal maybe not, but fun yes!
    C

    Reply
  4. Erin

    of course you could do a vegetable garden theme…i suppose a COLOR based theme is easier but then again what cusine’s are more vegetarian? perhaps go with that?
    i don’t suppose the food has to match the theme? cause PINK would be very limiting to me…hmmm
    i like the vegetable jardin myself…you can do little pots and such …
    anyway…just my thoughts
    _________________
    Hi Erin
    Oh this is a very good idea, I could swing this one!
    C

    Reply
  5. Alina

    I am asking this with the utmost respect: just how often do you have guests? Nerve, I know!
    I also was thinking of an American based theme, but even I am not sure what that would entail. What about something that revolves around one thing I know you love: roses? Since roses are all colors that might give you a better choice in the color of food you serve. Or would all white roses be too much of a challenge?
    __________________
    Hi Alina
    We have guests over more than once a week. Having guests over motivates me, and I like cooking, serving food, setting the table… I should have had a restaurant.
    C

    Reply
  6. Ann

    Pink cuisine doesn’t sound very appealing. Maybe, shrimp cocktail. I would let the decorations be pink but not the food unless it’s naturally pink like salmon, etc. strawberry or cherry: mousse,cake, cheesecake,molded salad,cookies, petit fours.
    Decorations in pink: tablecloth/napkins, flowers, placecards, hostess gift.
    Enjoy!
    ____________________
    Hi
    I assume the food is going to be naturally pink. Salmon and shrimp sound perfect!
    C

    Reply
  7. Annette

    Hope to see photos of you and FH in your pink attire : ) Surreptitious photos of food and surroundings would be good too.
    ______________
    I hope to take many photos, though I do not know how to use a flash..so the photos might not be very good…but the party will be!

    Reply
  8. Christy

    what fun friends you have! i’m going to google the show in the hopes there are a few episodes on youtube.
    i think a moroccan theme would be fun (and the cuisine supports a lot of vegetarian dishes): burning fragrant incense, rich jewel-colored silk fabrics, candles, having dishes of rose water on the table as finger bowls, eating with your hands, lanterns, floor pillows, and music!
    i hope you take lots of pictures of the pink party; maybe you could go as a pink lady from Grease 😉
    can’t wait to look at the blog later this week!

    Reply
  9. Ruth

    For her, she could make a shrimp/scallop bisque…mixing in a small amount of tomato paste – giving it a pale pink color…and of course, salmon as the entree (not too pink, it will be dry).
    How about a rock & roll 50’s sock hop – burgers (can be veggie), fries, root beer floats and american apple pie for dessert…

    Reply
  10. Vicki

    Maybe you could cover your camera with a pink swaddle and take pics to show us! (:

    Reply
  11. christine allen

    How about a hat theme ?
    music theme ?

    Reply
  12. Lynn

    We are having a fondue party. Fondue appetizers, fondue entree & of course fondue desserts.
    ______________________
    Hi Lynn
    Chocolate fondue with strawberries, now we are talking.
    C

    Reply
  13. Kathy

    Hi Corey
    We did a red and white dinner party some years agao. We served a choice of two soups, potato and leek and a tomato soup. The main dish we gave a choice of steak or fish…you could just serve fish and dessert was strawberries and cream. We served potato swirls and a red cabbage dish with the fish. Of course we had red and white wine as well!!!!

    Reply
  14. molly

    i think a very spring party….in your garden with lots of candles and flowers ..maybe let your son be the waiter for fun! or something very american….foods etc..
    ________________________________
    Ah Molly
    Romantic, now that is up my sleeve. I dig romantic settings best.
    C

    Reply
  15. Emily

    There is a cocktail called the “Pink Lady” — you would need to goggle for recipe. And Cosmopolitans turn out pink too! She could add a splash of red food coloring to other cocktails to “pinken” them up!
    ____________________
    Hi Emily
    I’ll look it up and maybe take it tomorrow as a PINK GIFT.
    C

    Reply
  16. martina

    Oh yes, an American dinner! Hmm mac and cheese? Tofu hotdogs? My friends always like “breakfast for dinner”. Maybe you can do that-easy to do if you are vegetarian.
    I’d suggest that Melanie use PINKING shears if she has to cut the fabric for napkins or tablecloth. This site says it has over 350 pink recipes. http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?q=pink
    __________________________
    Hi Martina
    Tofu dogs, I’ll have to import them.
    lol.
    C

    Reply
  17. Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

    What fun! We have 10 couples in our dinner party group and we meet every three months. That means we have to host the dinner party every year-and-a half or so. Everybody tries to have a theme. I’ve had a Texas barbecue with beef brisket, and a Mardi Gras party with gumbo and creole cuisine.
    Like Wylie said, I would suggest a dinner that reflects your roots. Perhaps a menu that would be served at one of your family functions back in California. Can you get your hands on some Linguisa? (Spelling? ….the Portuguese sausage). I think your French guests would enjoy it, as the dinner progresses you could tell stories based on the dish you’re serving. Enjoy!
    – Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

    Reply
  18. diane mannino

    What about a theme of using no utensils? Think of the scrumptious Ethiopian foods…Egyptian food too with pita…mmm, sounds so good… but I know how much you like to set your tableware…

    Reply
  19. Kel

    You are the romance queen! I am certain this is the type of party theme that your party guests would delight in.

    Reply
  20. Dixie

    I think, if it were me, I’d serve PINK cotton candy for dessert… have a wonderful time.. I can hardly wait to see your photos!

    Reply
  21. Judith

    I’m loving this idea and all of the fabulous comments! What creative readers you have! 🙂 I need to find this show, it sounds great! Wonderful post!
    xoxo
    Judith~
    Have fun at the party! Pleasce have a glass of Pink Champagne for me!

    Reply
  22. Elaine

    Definitely do something romantic. I think a garden party would be wonderful with candles and twinkle lights. I love the idea of having Sasha as the waiter.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  23. suesue

    my sisters, daughters, and nieces just started a dinner club. my turn’s in may and the theme is “mom’s cooking”. everyone has to wear an apron!

    Reply
  24. Angela

    dear corey
    i know i am supposed to be thinking about dinner parties, but all i can think about is that metal with the kissing couple on it!
    Is it possible to find another? please let me know.
    your dedicated follower and envious bathroom coveter,
    splendid

    Reply
  25. Paula

    I especially like the idea of your mother’s meals. Or you could use one recipe from each of your American sisters-in-law ?????
    “An American Family Dinner”

    Reply
  26. Irina

    How about a nautical theme, FH likes boats, right? so he could be dressed as a captain of a boat! the main dish is something sea food… candles, champagne… like on a luxurious yacht 🙂
    irina

    Reply
  27. Jend’isère

    Vegetarian is good theme to educate carnivores that it is not tasteless food which leaves you hungry. Meatless meals are still not well received in France.This week the TV show features Marseille.

    Reply
  28. Catalina

    your theme should be: Bikers! of course!
    hope you have a Halley jacket and you have already the boots! remember?
    🙂

    Reply
  29. Catalina

    or flying machines!!!!
    ohhhhhhhhhh! I guess I will be doing the same with friends soon….
    You could tell them to arrive 1 hour before and then do a “rally” with little enigmas around your town! 🙂

    Reply
  30. le petit cabinet de curiosites

    love the comments …What you forgot to say , it is a pink dinner but for vegeterian . Lucky me you eat fish …
    I already can guess Laure’s meal : It will be flowered meal , it is very IN
    For you, I know you have thousands of ideas …It will not be hard to find, it will be hard to choose

    Reply
  31. M-Noëlle

    I love that tv program. It’s much fun !
    I very often watch it. And so do my teenaged children.
    They are in Marseille this week…
    For your American friends, here is the link to M6 (the channel)- they will get an idea of it (after the first commercial):
    http://www.m6replay.fr/#/emissions/un-diner-presque-parfait/11700068
    I can’t wait to get your impressions, your marks and remarks, , your photos…
    I think I myself would be a tough judge because I’ve followed so many candidates …
    pink champagne
    My husband and I were away to Champagne for the week end a fortnight ago…
    The champagne-producers simply add red wine into the champagne to make it pinkish…
    (of course they add it at the right time in the process, at the right temperature, at the right place… far from our right eyes !!!)
    anyway you can take a bottle of red wine, just in case …
    Have fun !

    Reply
  32. M-Noëlle

    PS – “They” are in Marseille : The candidates are, not my teenaged children, of course…
    Thinking Melanie could be among them !!!

    Reply
  33. M-Noëlle

    2nd PS
    Mélanie, you are lucky to know your guests are vegeterian in advance !
    Think of the M6 candidates who discover this fact when proudly serving a course of meat (red meat or game !) to theirs !!!

    Reply
  34. Lilly

    How about a “Shades of Grey” Party…you know… black, white, grey…
    hmmm, shellfish, white endive, potatoes, bread, caviar, cheese, white/black bean salad, …etc…
    No matter what you choose…it will be smashing!
    Enjoy the day! Lilly

    Reply
  35. Elaine

    Oh, oh, oh, Corey, choose famous French courtesans and their favorite foods for entertaining. You could certainly serve the most decadent of foods and desserts, perhaps oysters, smoked salmon, shrimp or those strange little seafood things that Yann loves so much. Champagne, chocolate, mmmmmm. I can taste the calories now. For color, I would think of peach or salmon and a beautiful shade of grey. Lots of silver on the table with as many flatware pieces as possible just to procure the gentlemen’s favors. Hair upswept with grey pearls woven through the “do”. Such fun you could have.
    Or, I guess you could always do something a bit more conservative. No, not Corey.

    Reply
  36. kimberlyhope

    Corey, This is my first time to write to you,my sisiter and I live in different states but look at your blog together while on the phone. We enjoy love your site,photos,,recipes,and stories, all so inspiring!
    For your dinner party ,why don,t you you do what you do so well, a brocante style party. Every one brings a decorative item to swap. Set the table with your many treasured finds, each place setting different, with soup served in pretty little tea cups. What ever you do ,it will be wonderful and we can’t wait for the pics!
    1

    Reply
  37. Sue McG

    What fun! How about Cote d’Ivoire? Everything in shades of ivory and cream, vintage, you can sneak in some shells and Africana. Or Casablanca – everyone in their best vintage Elsa and Rick, again with the creams and ivories, but with a punch of Moroccan colors and a Moroccan menu? Sur la Mer – mermaids and seahorses, shells and starfish – and lots of delicious seafood, divine! There’s no end to where you can go, can’t wait to see what you do, I’m CERTAIN your dinner party will be fabulous and too much fun 🙂

    Reply

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