Setting a stylish table for Idul Fitri
Setting a stylish table for Idul Fitri
Maria Endah Hulupi, Contributor/Jakarta
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STANDFIRST: Although the Idul Fitri holiday is only a week away,
there is still time to try something a bit different at your
table this year -- and leave a lasting impression for your
guests.
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At the end of the Ramadhan fasting month, Muslims across the
world celebrate with a determination to strengthen ties with
family and friends.
It is the tradition here to spend the occasion with family
members in an intimate gathering, where younger members take
turns asking for forgiveness from older ones before heading to
the treats awaiting in the dining room.
They will include the holiday mainstay of ketupat -- rice
cakes wrapped in woven coconut leaves -- and elaborate dishes,
specially prepared using recipes handed down from generation to
generation.
And a beautifully appointed table is just the right touch to
feature the classic foods.
For this year's celebration, several hotels in Jakarta share
some ideas for creating a memorable table settings. Each offers
different themes to highlight the spirit of Idul Fitri, with
styles ranging from traditional, Middle Eastern to versatile
elegance for people expecting a varied group of visitors to come
through their doors.
Two's Company: For an intimate celebration for two, Gran Melia
Jakarta presents an elegant, "sparkling" table setting, with
white and green as the main colors.
Assistant F&B director, Eduard R. Pangkerego, teamed up with
Samuel Warello of El Canna florist to bring out the sparkling
theme, using a string of silver and green crystal balls to create
the desired effect.
The table is adorned with a small flower arrangement on a
clean, crisp linen tablecloth with brown place mats. For the
flower arrangement, the hotel uses white roses, baby's breath,
twirling salix branches and different kinds of decorative leaves
to give texture and color gradation.
"To maintain balance between the table and the decorative
arrangement, we keep the arrangement small and use a glass pot.
We covered the base of the pot with chunks of crystal ice and the
oasis (the base of the arrangement) sits on top of it," explained
Eduard.
The salix branches bear young, tender shoots which represent a
new beginning in life, and ketupat made of lontar leaves are
chosen to enhance the holiday cheer.
The hotel's florist, Nurlaila, designs a simple arrangement,
including gerbera, James' story and florida beauty, in a small
terra-cotta pot and uses it to decorate Idul Fitri hampers. The
arrangement is put in a rattan basket or tray, with cookies and
cakes placed around it. Later it can be used to decorate a coffee
table.
Going Green: Shangri-La Jakarta opts for an elegant,
predominantly green table setting.
Florist manager Budi Susanto, together with the F&B division,
uses white Casablanca to symbolize purity and elegance. The white
flowers and golden shower are beautifully placed among different
kinds of decorative leaves in a low bowl.
Ketupat, a woven mat and marbles, spread on the table, are
also used to add a traditional nuance to an overall versatile
arrangement that, with a little adjustment, can be used for
different occasions.
"The theme can be modified from romantic dining to an informal
family gathering. For a romantic Idul Fitri, instead of the
marbles, candles and rose petals can be scattered on the table,"
Budi said.
For the hotel's hampers, Budi strew golden shower and ketupat
in a green woven basket. The use of batik for packaging
accentuates the ethnic touch.
Eastern Promise: The Intercontinental Midplaza Jakarta offers
a Middle Eastern-themed dining atmosphere with a low-key
traditional air.
Sheer dark fabric is used to dress up a low round table with
cushioned seats. A Middle Eastern traditional table mat is placed
in the center, with tableware put atop it.
For added Middle Eastern flair, a shisha (water pipe) is put
nearby. Each table has a candle inside a bowl to add flickering
illumination, as well as a plate of assorted biscuits for guests
to nibble on while chatting before enjoying a heavier meal.
Its traditional-style Idul Fitri table setting is decorated
using only a single gerbera with ketupat in the center. The
traditional theme is further enhanced with the use of a batik
tablecloth and green striped place mats, resembling the motif of
ketupat.
"We chose simplicity for the traditional-style setting," said
the hotel's assistant F&B director Herman Kartaamidjaja. He added
that gerbera and decorative ketupat were also used to decorate
the hotel's hampers.
I box:
Getting it right on the big day
A table setting not only helps in creating the desired
ambience for a celebration, but also makes the dining table the
center of attention for all the guests. Of course, it takes
careful planning so that things go off without a hitch.
Here are some things to consider when decorating the dining
table.
* Create the concept and/or the theme at least a week before the
event.
* Try to be innovative, and when doing it yourself try to keep
the decorations simple.
* Carefully choose the materials to bring out the desired theme.
* Besides flowers and decorative leaves, ribbons, dried flowers
or fruits and spices can also be used as the main features. They
can be prepared days before the event.
* Fresh cut flowers and decorative leaves can be bought and
arranged a day ahead of the occasion.
* Water the base of the flower arrangement twice a day, making
sure to water the oasis to maintain its freshness as long as
possible (usually a flower arrangement lasts around three days).
* Keep the arrangement neat by removing any wilted petals or
leaves.
* Use vintage items -- fabrics or tableware -- to add "weight"
to the table setting and old family recipes to please the guests.
These family "treasures" make good conversation starters, and
guests will feel honored that the best has been laid out for
them.
-- Maria Endah Hulupi