Want to know our secret to hosting? We’ve found that the best food gatherings happen with a lower-stress combination of the “famous” food from your kitchen (or your guests’ kitchens), delicious specialties from neighborhood chefs, and a few pickups from your local grocery.
“What’s a go-to treat for you?” might be a good question to lead with when inviting a few friends over. Have them bring something delicious from their neighborhood while you make something you love or pick up a few favorites from around town. Then when your guests arrive, you can pull out some serving platters and cake plates and turn your table into a beautiful spread.
Here are our suggestions for goodies to pick up from local eateries, whether you’re hosting or on your way to a party yourself.
Pictured above, top right and lower left: We stopped for fresh linguine, four cheese ravioli, and alfredo sauce at Lotsa Pasta, 3717 Lexington Rd, Louisville. You can also find cookie dough take-and-bakes here! In Indiana, we nabbed a cherry pie and cheesecake slices from Sweet Stuff Bakery, 323 E Spring St, New Albany, IN.
Our next recommendation is for the fresh European-style bread and pastry varieties found at Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe, 2868 Frankfort Ave, Louisville. Enjoy a beautiful snack here when you pick up your bread. Then don’t miss specialty doughnut holes from Toni T’s Cobblers and More, 4510 Charlestown Rd, New Albany, IN.
For a savory treat, check out these take-and-bake crab cakes from Lori’s Fish Market, 3941 Chenoweth Square, Louisville.
By Anita Oldham | Photos by Melissa Donald
P.S. You may also be interested in Wrapped In Crust: Rustic Apple Pie
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