Join in the Feast!

What fun is a party with no food? In “Picture Perfect,” the Bing & Bob party is known for its amazing cuisine.  Check out this scene from the book:

BLURB: Saturday night arrived, but not without its drama. Less than an hour before the onset of the party of the century, my father’s emotion packed words rang out across the house. “What do you mean, you invited thirty Italians to my Bing and Bob party?”

Even from the comfort of my upstairs bedroom where I dressed up as Grace Kelly I could make out every word as the argument between my parents ensued. In fact, I could almost envision the look on my dad’s face with each punctuated word.

I stepped out into the hallway to hear my mother’s response to his emotional tirade. “You’re going to love the Rossi’s, Michael,” she countered from the living room below, her words carrying up the stairs. “And they’re great cooks. Rosa—she’s the aunt, the one with the television show—is bringing some of the food. Isn’t that sweet? She’s really doing us a favor, you see.”

“I will not abide Italian food at my Bing and Bob party. Where would we put it, in the middle of the room? It will ruin the whole thing. Besides, what will the guys from my lodge say?”

“Oh, she’s not bringing Irish food,” Mama countered. “She’s bringing a rack of lamb for the Bob Hope side. And from what I hear, it’s a genuine British recipe, one even you will approve of.”

“Still. This is an Irish-English party. You’ve got to be one or the other to come, and these people, whoever they are, are clearly neither.” He began to grumble, in Gaelic, no less, about the generations of Irishmen who’d walked this road before him, but after awhile none of it made sense to me. Or to my mother, either, apparently.

“Michael McDermott, I swear, sometimes I think you’ve got splinters in the windmills of your mind.”

My father, for once, did not respond.

***

As you can see, Hannah’s father is not keen on the Italians coming to the party. And because the room is divided into two sections—the Irish side and the English side—there’s no place for the Italians! (So HE thinks! The Rossis and the Splendora trio end up being the life of the party!) When these awesome folks show up with great food(s) Hannah’s father can’t help but usher them in. Check it out:

BLURB:

At ten minutes till seven Rosa and Laz arrived. Rosa looked stunning in her Vera-Ellen getup. What a knockout. My father huffed his way through the introductions, but made a bit of polite conversation once he realized that Laz, who had come dressed as a very non-English or Irish Dean Martin, held a pot of corned beef and cabbage in his hands.

“You made that yourself?” my dad asked.

“Sure. Love the stuff. Always have. Lived in New Jersey years ago and couldn’t get enough of it.” Laz lifted the pan as if to emphasize the point. “Want to show me to the kitchen?”

“Never been inside of our kitchen, myself,” Dad said, his expression a little forced. “But I think I can find it.”

This got a funny look from Laz, who finally caught on that my dad was teasing.

“Just kidding, just kidding.” My father slapped him on the back and led the way to the kitchen. I followed closely behind to see if my mother needed any help. When we arrived the amazing aroma of fish and chips waffled up to greet us. Yum.

“Haven’t had fish and chips in a month of Sundays,” Laz said. He gave my mother an encouraging smile. “You’ll have to give me your recipe.” He placed the pan of corned beef and cabbage on the counter and took a few steps in my mother’s direction to steal a nibble of the fish and chips.

“Really?” Her face flushed.

“Well, sure. Maybe we’ll even add a fish and chips pizza at Parma Johns on St. Patrick’s day. Something to think about, anyway.” He began to fill my mother’s ears with ideas for his upcoming special at the restaurant. Not that she appeared to mind. Oh no. I’d never seen her so flattered. She and Rosa got busy putting out the foods, including the rack of lamb, which smelled delicious.

At exactly three minutes after seven Scarlet arrived with her assistant, Kenny, who carried in the most amazing cake I’d ever seen. A true replica of Bing Crosby. On one side, anyway. He turned the cake around to reveal Bob Hope’s smiling face.

“Frighteningly realistic,” Laz said, giving it a close look. “But I prefer the Bing Crosby side.”

“Not me,” Rosa countered. “I think the Bob Hope side is priceless.” She began to gush over the cake, which, no doubt, was exactly what Scarlet had hoped she would do. Not that I could fault my best friend for trying to win the favor of the Rossi’s. She knew a good deal when she saw it.

I helped Kenny settle the cake onto a special table in-between the Bing and Bob tables, then went to answer the door, astounded by the mad rush of Italians that greeted me. I threw my arms around Bella, welcomed D.J. with a smile and ushered them inside, along with their children.

***

That’s how Hannah’s family does it, but what about us? Here we are, all dressed up at our own (make-believe) Bing & Bob party. . .and starving! Well, don’t fret! I’ve prepared a yummy platter of fish ‘n chips. (Check out the photo. Mmm!)

What about you? What food(s) have you prepared? List the dish in a comment box below. Some might want to add the recipe. That’s fine, too!