Come for the Junos, stay for the eats
Awards-show season is the perfect time to throw a viewing party for friends and family. And the Juno Awards are no exception.
But aside from the selection of cool company, the next absolutely essential element of any great gettogether is undoubtedly the food (OK, and drinks).
“Easy finger foods, canapés and sharing boards that can be left out for a couple of hours and don’t require you to be in the kitchen are perfect,” says Shannon Boudreau, sales and event director for The Lazy Gourmet in Vancouver. “This allows you to be the host of the party and mix and mingle with guests.”
While Boudreau says the easiest way to ensure your party menu will go off without a hitch or delay is to hire a catering company, those who opt to go it alone should keep one thing in mind: pre-prep.
“Try to prep and prepare most of your dishes the night before,” Boudreau says. “You want to tune in to the Juno Awards, too, not be stuck plating more food.”
Unlike the days when a few boxes of pepperoni pizza and a half-barrel full of ice, pop and beer would suffice for catering, choosing appropriate dishes and drinks can feel increasingly intense as many people’s diets are finicky because of preferences and allergies.
So, what’s the best way to navigate this when planning a party menu?
“If you are unable to request guests’ dietary restrictions beforehand, try and prepare one vegan and one or two gluten-free options so they have something to eat,” she says. “That way, there are always options.”
One of the simplest snacking options for a viewing party is one that’s a tad cliché — but is nevertheless a consistent crowd-pleaser and can easily be dressed up or down to suit different dietary needs.
“Popcorn is cliché, but it’s a guest favourite, so do it in new ways,” Boudreau says. “Nitro-pop (nitrogen-infused candied popcorn) is all the rage and after you eat a piece you blow ‘smoke’ out of your mouth. It’s food you can play with!”
Looking for a slightly more, ahem, traditional approach to the popped kernels? Try mixing up the toppings on your popcorn for a new take on the classic snack.
“You can also make crazy popcorn flavours like caprese salad, with tomato, cheese powder and chopped crispy basil,” Boudreau says. “Or something sweet with white chocolate drizzle and cinnamon.”
On the more savoury side, it’s a good idea to anchor the party’s menu with a delicious protein — and it doesn’t hurt if the dish carries on the theme of the night’s show. In this case, according to Boudreau, it’s all about keeping it Canadiana.
“The Juno Awards really is the celebration of Canadian music,” she says. “We definitely recommend celebrating with a dish that is wholeheartedly Canadian, such as our maple Jack Daniel’s bison tenderloin, with gingery Saskatoon berry sauce. It is easy to eat and has all the flavour.”
One protein Boudreau recommends skipping for your viewing soiree is one many people rely on when putting together a menu for a party.
“While we all love a good chicken wing, honestly, they can be messy,” she says. “People’s fingers end up on couch fabrics, the walls, chairs and drop on carpets. They are awkward to eat in that situation and perhaps best left off a Juno Awards viewing party menu. Save them for the Super Bowl!”
After snacks and main dishes are out of the way, Boudreau says it’s time to surprise guests with a delicious — and surprisingly interactive — treat.
“For dessert, we love something fun and creative, such as cake pops shaped as microphones,” she says. “They are great for a lip-synch battle afterward.”
Another crowd-pleasing treat that Boudreau points to is one we’ve likely all enjoyed a time or two at a party before: ice cream.
“We make these savoury ice creams that are really simple, but taste gourmet,” she says of the cool delight. “It’s blue cheese with balsamic glaze or Thai basil and lemon grass — unexpected flavours that work really well as an ice cream.”
She says taking a moment to think up a twist on classic tastes and dishes are a sure way to have guests talking about your Juno Awards party well after the final credits roll.
“People go through a whole range of emotion during their experience of tasting them for the first time,” Boudreau says of the unique flavours. “Usually, surprise and delight.”
As for drinks, Boudreau says there are no golden rules when thinking about the number or type of drink options to have.
“You are the host and decide what is available at the bar,” she says.
“We like to emulate what the musicians would drink on the show. For example, sparkling wine and a sparkling non-alcoholic cocktail, such as a lavender lemon spritz, are a must. You may even want a delicious punch, which looks great, too.”
And, with the menu planned and the invitation texts sent, all that’s left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the Juno Awards.