2-3 weeks prior: set the date

 Order hard to find items online such as Amarene Fabbri cherries; order from  www.igourmet.com or 
www.happycookers.com

 Consult with your specialty wine store about Italian wines to complement the menu if our suggestions are not available

 Sketch out how you would like your buffet table to look – use the tabletop checklist in the general tips section to help you decide what elements you would like to included

 Order CDs if needed

1-2 weeks prior: Order floral arrangements and shop for or borrow table accessories such as:

 Table linens (runners, cocktail napkins, coasters) and decorative items (votive holders, candles, vases, pedastals, serving platters, bowls or dishes)

 Element of Fun: Purchase supplies and prizes for Name That Pasta! party game

 Assemble gift boxes for guests; include an Italy Travel Guide, Italian spices, Italian olive oil, and other Italian specialty items.  

2 days prior: Get the table ready 

 label serving dishes and utensils
 arrange serving pieces and pedestals on serving table or counter
 select plates and flatware
 set up glassware, bar and candles

1-2 Days Prior:       Grocery Shop
 
■ Produce
 1 garlic bulb
 2 bunches fresh basil
 1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes
 1 bunch fresh oregano
 1 bunch Italian parsley
 1 medium fresh hot red chilli pepper                    
 1 pound broccoli            
 1 bunch celery               
 1 bunch carrots             
 1 large onion
 1 pint strawberries
 1 small bottle lemon juice

■ Dairy
 2 medium balls fresh buffalo mozzarella from Campania                         
 1 carton heavy whipped cream                             
1 wedge Pecorino Romano cheese                            
 1 wedge Parmigiano Reggiano cheese              
 1 pound butter             
 1 quart milk

■ Frozen                         
1 carton vanilla gelato

■  Grocery
 4 ounces Italian pancetta 2 pounds ground beef   
 1 pound ground pork    
 1 bottle extra virgin olive oil
 1 box (16 ounces) BARILLA Rigatoni
 1 box (16 ounces BARILLA Farfalle
 1 box (9 ounces) BARILLA Oven Ready Lasagne
 1 box (16 ounces) BARILLA Rotini                 
 1 box (16 ounces) BARILLA Spaghetti           
 1 bottle extra virgin olive oil
 1 can anchovies           
 1 can (28 ounces) San Marzano tomatoes (may substitute 1 1/2 pounds fresh plum tomatoes)       
 1 can tomato paste        
 1 can (10 ounces) Italian Pomodori tomatoes (may substitute 1 pound fresh
 1 small bottle lemon juice
 1 small bottle lime juice

■  Pantry
 coarse sea salt
 back peppercorns          
 crushed red pepper flakes                             
 flour

■Seafood                         
 2 pounds Mediterranean sea bass (may substitute wild sea bass)                 
 8 medium scampi (may substitute 8 Tiger prawns)

■  Specialty/Gourmet store
 1 jar Amarene Fabbri cherries in heavy syrup (May be purchased online from www.igourmet.com or
www.happycookers.com, as well as at some Italian speciality food stores.)
 3 ounces Gaeta olives (may substitute kalamata
or Bella d'Italia olives)
 1 jar capers preserved in salt                                
 dry white wine

Cocktail Supplies:

 gold rum                      
 Campari                        
 grenadine                     
 limoncello
 Prosecco or sparkling wine

Same Day: We recommend preparing all the food (except the Bolognese sauce which may be prepared 1 day in advance), the day of for the best tasting, freshest experience. Place food in serving platters or bowls and allow guests to serve themselves, buffet-style.

3 Hours Prior:

 Chill white wine

 Set up the Element of Fun:  Name That Pasta! party game, prizes

½ Hour Prior:
Light Candles

Open dinner wines