The Chinese New Year begins on Saturday, January 28. Asian communities throughout the world will be celebrating with major festivities and looking forward to the year of the rooster. Even Las Vegas participates in significant event designs, too, with extravagant floral displays in the lobbies of the major hotels. These stellar colorful designs draw thousands of visitors to the dramatic displays. So, it is safe to note that millions around the world are aware of the annual traditions of this happy, fun seasonal occurrence. As an event designer and since I have many Asian friends, it is fun to have them over to dinner during this time of year. Since this is the year of the rooster, my dinner theme is, “We all have something to crow about.” Chop sticks on rooster ceramic props highlight the table. My menu is more contemporary than many traditional Chinese New Year menus. It features arrival hors d’oeuvres with seared sea scallops in plum sauce. The first course is a mixed micro-green salad with soy dressing (made from equal parts of soy sauce and marmalade). The main course is stir-fried chicken with cashews, squash, snow peas, fresh bean sprouts and Oriental baby corn. Dessert is rice pudding with brandied cherries. Jasmine tea is a classic, although there are many fine Chinese teas, such as monkey-picked oolong. Happy New Year, Asian-style, which offers us the opportunity to celebrate with many Asian cultures that offer a vast variety of cuisines. © Kelly McBride Loft