It’s time to roar back into action – as we in welcome in the Year of the Tiger on February 1! The Lunar New Year is always fun to celebrate and the theme concepts are endless, as each year corresponds with a specific animal. So this year tiger up your décor with tiger striped napkins paired with a black tablecloth. A ceramic tiger centerpiece would be ideal, surrounded by bamboo. I’m recommending that this year’s menu start with spring rolls served on a flooded plate of tiger orange sweet and sour sauce. Add thin lines of balsamic vinegar to the sauce, running the back side of knife through it to create a tiger stripe pattern. The second course showcases magnificently with Tiger Prawns served with Tiger Sauce, paired steamed vegetables including oriental baby corn. The theme is carried through dessert with Tiger Butter Fudge, which is fudge swirled with peanut butter to resemble a tiger pattern! Whole oranges and red envelopes filled with money are part of the tradition. Life is worth celebrating…just don’t forget the chopsticks for this party! © Kelly McBride Loft