Mary Giuliani's Small Bites, Big Stories: Throw a Really Unexpected Party
June 21, 2012 | At Home
We invited some friends over that we knew wouldn’t ask too many questions.
“Hey, wanna have dinner at the bottom of our empty swimming pool?”
Just as I am about to go up and get the meal to bring down to the pool…the pool guys show up…a day early with our water delivery! FOILED!
Defeated, I asked if they would mind if we took a few pictures before they turned on the hose and washed away my dreams (okay—a little melodramatic I know).
They laughed, nodding yes, and said, “Ma’am, in 28 years of working with swimming pools, we’ve never seen anything like this.”
"I promise this pick is not just because I adore Drew…her wine truly is delicious!"
Barrymore Pinot Grigio, $22.99. wines.com
"Duck Walk's Windmill Blush is one of my favorite local wines."
Windmill Blush, $9.95, Duck Walk Vineyards. 44535 Main Road, Southold, 765-3500; 231 Montauk Hwy., Rte. 27, Water Mill, 726-7555 x4
"I love serving Lambrusco in the summer—it's slightly sparkly and always served chilled. A great way to get your red wine fix in the summer."
Lambrusco di Sorbano "Vigne del Christo," 2010, $14.95, Sherry Lehmann. sherrylehmann.com
To me, the best type of party is an unexpected one. In the past year, I have served food on small boats, on Ferris wheels in cemeteries, on rotating pu pu platters, in museums, and in gardens atop one of the city’s highest skyscrapers.
The more outrageous the better is my motto. I once hid my dining room table in the woods behind my house and led my guests on a quest to find the dinner table (I find this works best with friends who really enjoy drinking).
Opportunity knocked last summer, when we were redoing the tiles in our pool. While my husband looked at this as a home improvement project, I saw this as a chance to make a party dream of mine come true.
We invited some friends over that we knew wouldn’t ask too many questions.
“Hey, wanna have dinner at the bottom of our empty swimming pool?”
“Sure, what time?” Again, friends who drink are very easy to amuse.
We went to work. I decided to serve a light cioppino and very chilled sauvignon blanc (Tip: I love to find great white wines for the summer and stock up).
So, table was set, wine was chilling, music was blaring from our portable radio, and just as I am about to go up and get the meal to bring down to the pool…
…the pool guys show up…a day early with our water delivery! FOILED! Our dinner party was over before it began.
I pleaded with the nice gents to come back the next day, even tried to bribe them with some wine and cippino but no luck; my pool party dream was ruined. Defeated, I asked if they would mind if we took a few pictures before they turned on the hose and washed away my dreams (okay—a little melodramatic I know).
They laughed, nodding yes, and said, “Ma’am, in 28 years of working with swimming pools, we’ve never seen anything like this.”
Mission accomplished. This would have been one great dinner party.
This summer—even if you simply move from the dining room to the living room—think outside of the box and surprise your guests. I promise it will make them smile.
—MARY GIULIANI
Mary and her husband Ryan launched marygiuliani.com in 2005, based on their shared love of entertaining, food, and hospitality. The figurehead of the company, Mary creates parties and mingles with the absolute crème de la crème of the Hollywood and fashion scenes. Her clients look to her to break the traditions of entertaining norms and to provide them with party ideas that are one of a kind, out of the box, playful experiences.
Her schedule is jam packed from morning to night when she’s on the party circuit. Mary is the exclusive caterer for J. CREW, Madewell, and Christie’s. Her client roster includes: The Rolling Stones, Bradley Cooper, Sheryl Crow, Natalie Portman, Sephora, Conde Nast, Hearst, Time Inc., Stella McCartney, Warner Brothers, Universal Pictures, and many more. In 2011, Mary executed 27 events in one evening across Manhattan for Vogue’s Fashion’s Night out and her company produces over 600 events a year. Biz Bash also honored her as “Caterer of the Year” in 2011. Follow Mary on Twitter: @mary_giuliani
