LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2021

Timing tips from the pros

Strawberry Pimm’s Cup

FIVE DAYS BEFORE Hang your string lights to make sure they work properly. “You can put a dim- mer on your Edison lights so your space doesn’t look like it’s lit up like the CNE,” says Lynne Knowlton of Knowlton & Co. (lynneknowlton.com), an outdoor micro-­ wedding venue in Durham, Ont. Look at the long-term forecast to deter- mine whether you need a backup plan—or a rain date. “You should always have a plan B,” Knowlton advises. TWO DAYS AHEAD Put together your playlist. “Think about the mood you want ahead of time,” says Knowlton’s partner, Tristan Knowlton. “No one wants to play DJ at a party.” THE DAY OF THE PARTY If your outdoor space is lacking greenery, it’s time to put your plants outdoors—but bring them back inside at the end of the evening. “Unless you’re using hardy ferns or palms, remember that most tropical plants can’t handle cool nights,” says Caitlin Bolton of Northern Blush. NEVER FORGET THE ICE “No matter how much ice you think you need, double it” says Gord Hannah, head bartender of the Drake Hotel properties. “You never want to leave your own party for an ice run.”

This classic British big-batch cocktail is reimagined with the extra sweetness of two brimming cups of sliced Ontario strawberries. Recipe on page 129 TRY WITH…

Pimm’s No. 1 Cup LCBO 282277, $27.40

Chalk it up to a great night With just a few supplies, you can easily create a menu board for listing your “evening specials.”

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 2 pieces of 1- x 3- x 48‑inch wood, mitred at corners  Finishing nails  D-ring picture-hanging hardware

 One 3- x 4-foot piece of MDF  2 small paint rollers  Primer

 Chalkboard paint  2 pieces of 1- x 3- x

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36-inch wood, mitred at corners

1 Paint 1 side of the MDF with 1 coat of primer and then apply 3 coats of chalkboard paint, ensuring each coat dries according to the instructions on the can. 2 Using 1- x 3-inch wood pieces, build a frame. Using finishing nails, attach frame to painted front of the MDF. 3 Attach 1 picture hanger to each side of the back of the frame, making sure they are level with each other.

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EARLY SUMMER 2021 FOOD & DRINK