Posh Poolside Party

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With the summer sun casting a golden glow over their outdoor paradise, veteran party-givers Tracy and Greg dove into summertime entertaining with style. This busy Frontenac couple, parents of Madison, Blake and Brooke, enjoy hosting any kind of soirée, but especially love to welcome their guests poolside. So, with June upon them, the couple called upon historic Lafayette Square’s SqWires Restaurant to create a fresh, summer-inspired menu.

“I definitely recommend using a caterer, like SqWires,” says Tracy. “For me, a party is all about the details, and having someone you can count on to make the food fantastic and memorable is so important. It frees me up to plan all the little things that add so much to a party’s ambience.”

Bethany Budde, owner and executive chef at SqWires, was certainly up for the challenge, providing Tracy and Greg with party fare extraordinaire. “We love doing events at people’s homes,” says Bethany. “Finger foods are especially good for pool parties. It’s much easier to mingle when you can grab a bite and continue to socialize. I suggest having a large variety of different items, say eight or nine dishes, that all work well together and give guests a lot of choices.”

Using only the freshest ingredients from local farmers, SqWires’ custom-designed, mouthwatering alfresco menu included SqWires’ signature drink, the Urbantini.

Landscape designer Terry Fontana and interior designer Marci Marsh were pivotal in creating the tablescape that captured the sophisticated essence of this summertime gathering. “Terry and Marci both agreed that the décor should be simple, allowing the food to take center stage,” says Tracy. “Terry saw no need for large floral arrangements and felt that more natural elements, like the moss topiaries, would be just the right touch,” she adds.

Tracy and Greg couldn’t have been happier. “Both Marci and Terry have great vision,” say the couple. “They think outside the box and always get it right.  We count on their expertise for every party we host.”

The party extended to the couple’s fabulous pool house, decorated with mementos from summers at the beach. And with the sparkling blue waters of their custom pool as the backdrop, the setting couldn’t have been more perfect. Dominic Tricamo of American Holidays Pool & Spa created the swimming pool of their dreams, complete with a cascading waterfall and built-in spa. “It’s very special,” say Tracy and Greg. “Even our guests have said that they feel like they’re on vacation when they’re here.”

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Mingle and munch with these poolside goodies

Prepared by Owner and Executive Chef, Bethany Budde of SqWires 

• An assortment of dips and spreads, including sundried tomato, eggplant caponata and spinach and artichoke. Served with a savory herb crostini.
• SqWires’ crab cakes with shredded cabbage slaw and a rich lemon butter sauce.
• Sweet roasted chicken drummies alongside a fresh cucumber yogurt dip.
• Farm fresh spinach salad with sweet craisins, shaved red onion, spiced walnuts and hearts of palm with a strawberry poppyseed dressing.
• Roast garlic rubbed grilled beef tenderloin skewers.
• Delectable flourless chocolate cake topped with a lovely raspberry puree.