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Rachel Khoo’s tips: planning a picture-perfect brunch

***Rachel Khoo would like to thank all the inspiring people who helped make the Khoollect studio a hive of creativity. Although the Khoollect studio’s doors have now closed, you can keep up with Rachel’s newest adventures on RachelKhoo.com and on Rachel’s Instagram and Facebook pages – and, continue to enjoy the Khoollect website’s stories and recipes, which will remain available.***

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It seems that at this time of year all of our diaries become quickly booked up with festive frivolity and end-of-year events. I find, when the silly season is in full swing, mornings can be the best time to catch your nearest and dearest to share a meal (and force them out of bed of a weekend!). For this reason, I love to throw a delicious brunch for my friends. In fact, nearly half of brunchers say they’d prefer to catch up over a leisurely weekend breakfast than an evening meal. The combination of breakfast and lunch is an ideal start to the day, and here I’ve shared my tips for getting it right:

  1. Work with the seasons
    Whether it’s a cosy wintry gathering, or a sunlit summer affair, it’s a good idea to match your menu with the season. Create a menu that reflects the freshest, ripest produce of the season, and something to suit the climate. Think fresh fruits for a springtime menu, and warmer baked dishes for the cooler months. You may fancy picking up some fresh, seasonal flowers to adorn your tabletops for guests to enjoy too.
  2. Keep it simple
    Be it decor, recipes, shopping lists and even drink selections, keep your brunch as fuss-free as you can. Where possible, choose dishes that won’t require you to spend all morning in the kitchen. In some cases, you may be able to bake or prepare fresh ingredients the evening before. That way, you will only need to focus on warm dishes in the morning. If you have time, set your table before you go to bed, so you won’t have to be up too early to get started, and can be the picture of preparedness when guests arrive. On that note, an intimate, smaller gathering is better suited to brunch (unless you have a team of friends helping you put it all together).
  3. Let guests pick and choose
    Rather than arduously plating up for each of your guests, spread your dishes down the centre of a long table and allow people to pick and choose for themselves. That way, your gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan friends, for example, can be catered for with ease. Just ensure you have enough serving plates and cutlery on hand. It’s a good idea to make sure you have plenty of condiments to go with your dishes too. Think mustards, chutneys, relishes and jams.
  4. Consider the mood
    Unlike a dinner party, where you might like to light candles and provide relaxing evening-appropriate music, brunch should be uplifting and fuel your guests for the rest of the day. Consider playing upbeat background music that’ll prevent the post-brunch slump.
  5. Keep the coffee coming!
    Provide a selection of drinks for your guests to choose from. Have tea, coffee, juices and perhaps some sparkling cocktails available for those who enjoy a ‘Champagne breakfast’. Keep drinks topped up and ensure your guests are full and happy when they say goodbye.

Be sure to sign up to our e-newsletter on the home page for great brunch recipe ideas coming your way.

This post has been created in partnership with Hellmann’s and Maille.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from OnePoll, and come from a single survey for Unilever Foods.

Looking for menu ideas?

Try this flavoursome Brazilian-inspired brunch dish

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Looking for menu ideas?

Try this flavoursome Brazilian-inspired brunch dish

Looking for menu ideas?

Try this flavoursome Brazilian-inspired brunch dish

It seems that at this time of year all of our diaries become quickly booked up with festive frivolity and end-of-year events. I find, when the silly season is in full swing, mornings can be the best time to catch your nearest and dearest to share a meal (and force them out of bed of a weekend!). For this reason, I love to throw a delicious brunch for my friends. In fact, nearly half of brunchers say they’d prefer to catch up over a leisurely weekend breakfast than an evening meal. The combination of breakfast and lunch is an ideal start to the day, and here I’ve shared my tips for getting it right:

  1. Work with the seasons
    Whether it’s a cosy wintry gathering, or a sunlit summer affair, it’s a good idea to match your menu with the season. Create a menu that reflects the freshest, ripest produce of the season, and something to suit the climate. Think fresh fruits for a springtime menu, and warmer baked dishes for the cooler months. You may fancy picking up some fresh, seasonal flowers to adorn your tabletops for guests to enjoy too.
  2. Keep it simple
    Be it decor, recipes, shopping lists and even drink selections, keep your brunch as fuss-free as you can. Where possible, choose dishes that won’t require you to spend all morning in the kitchen. In some cases, you may be able to bake or prepare fresh ingredients the evening before. That way, you will only need to focus on warm dishes in the morning. If you have time, set your table before you go to bed, so you won’t have to be up too early to get started, and can be the picture of preparedness when guests arrive. On that note, an intimate, smaller gathering is better suited to brunch (unless you have a team of friends helping you put it all together).
  3. Let guests pick and choose
    Rather than arduously plating up for each of your guests, spread your dishes down the centre of a long table and allow people to pick and choose for themselves. That way, your gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan friends, for example, can be catered for with ease. Just ensure you have enough serving plates and cutlery on hand. It’s a good idea to make sure you have plenty of condiments to go with your dishes too. Think mustards, chutneys, relishes and jams.
  4. Consider the mood
    Unlike a dinner party, where you might like to light candles and provide relaxing evening-appropriate music, brunch should be uplifting and fuel your guests for the rest of the day. Consider playing upbeat background music that’ll prevent the post-brunch slump.
  5. Keep the coffee coming!
    Provide a selection of drinks for your guests to choose from. Have tea, coffee, juices and perhaps some sparkling cocktails available for those who enjoy a ‘Champagne breakfast’. Keep drinks topped up and ensure your guests are full and happy when they say goodbye.

Be sure to sign up to our e-newsletter on the home page for great brunch recipe ideas coming your way.

This post has been created in partnership with Hellmann’s and Maille.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from OnePoll, and come from a single survey for Unilever Foods.

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Rachel is Khoollect’s Editor-in-Chief and the mastermind behind this whole adventure. In between f...

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WRITTEN BY:
Rachel Khoo

Rachel is Khoollect’s Editor-in-Chief and the mastermind behind this whole adventure. In between f...

READ MORE BY Rachel Khoo

You decide

Your dream holiday destination

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Profile Photo
WRITTEN BY:
Rachel Khoo

Rachel is Khoollect’s Editor-in-Chief and the mastermind behind this whole adventure. In between f...

READ MORE BY Rachel Khoo

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Rachel Khoo's Chocolate e-cookbook

With over 30 delicious recipes, this e-cookbook showcases wonderful new ways to cook with cocoa. This is not just a dessert book; within you'll find a whole range of recipes for every occasion from a decadent chocolate tahini caramel torte, to a confit cocoa cod with lemony white chocolate sauce. These recipes are featured in Rachel Khoo's Chocolate TV show.

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