Monday's Tip - Toasting Special Occasions

There’s nothing quite like a champagne toast to mark a special occasion. But don’t plan to serve champagne "unless you can afford something of at least moderate quality (nine dollars and up per bottle depending on where you live)" advises chef and former caterer Nicole Aloni, author of SECRETS FROM A CATER'S KITCHEN. And it must be served in a "flute-shaped glass to protect the effervescence that makes champagne so special."

If you’re having a large celebration and have no place to store dozens of champagne flutes (or any future need for them) simply rent champagne flutes for your special occasion. Also, keep in mind that you’ll have some guests who don't like champagne, and underage guests will want to join the toast, so have a few bottles of ginger ale or sparkling white grape juice to offer them when it comes time for the toasting.

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