Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/757002
26 December 1 • 2016 » g i f t g u i d e 2 0 1 6 Set a brilliant table for your holiday party, taking a cue from the flames of the chanukiah. I n the United States, we often see Chanukah tables and decorations shimmering in shades of blue and white, a nod to the colors of the Israeli flag. As the owners of Petit Gateau, Israel-based caterers and party planners, we thought it would be fun to interpret the Chanukah table in the colors of a flame. Chanukah is about expel- ling darkness with light and fire. In Israel, we sing a song at Chanukah that translates to, "Banish the darkness — we have light and fire." Our Chanukah table colors are red, orange and yellow. We started with tablecloths in these colors and layered them with satin ribbons attached to the tablecloth. In order not to have a flat, one-dimensional buffet (and because we're infatuated with the beauty of Christmas), we placed wooden blocks, wrapped as Chanukah presents, in the same shades, giving the table an interesting skyline. Instead of placing one classic Chanukah menorah, or chanukiah, we placed many small candles on the table, giving a feel of many small lights creating one big impression. Again, as the Hebrew song says, "Each one is a little light, and we light them." As styling props, we scat- tered lots of small wooden tops across the table. For a verbal greeting, we wrapped wooden (or Styrofoam) letters with the satin ribbons, spelling out in Hebrew Chag Sameach ("joyous festival") and placed the letters on the table, leaning on the presents. In keeping with the tradi- tional offerings of foods fried in oil, our menu features a jelly doughnut (sufganiyot) bar. Some of the doughnuts are pre-filled or pre-glazed, but extra fillings and toppings are on hand to enhance the dough- nuts — including fresh seasonal fruit, mini-marshmallows, baby meringues, caramelized nuts, raspberry coulis, whipped cream, chocolate ganache, salted caramel sauce, candied coconut and more, so that each guest can customize his perfect doughnut. The doughnuts are glazed in orange and yellow with French fondant (liquid, not rolled). On top of the fondant we added a rolled fondant flower, to match with the fresh flower bouquets on the table. The flowers are in glass jars — some are painted in red and orange, while others were left plain glass. Trays were mix-and-match, too — some are white, others have red tissue paper on them, and more are lined with printed paper covered with a transpar- ent slide (as the paper ink isn't edible, be careful not to let it touch the food). Here, our favorite doughnut recipe will get you started. Chanukah Ablaze Michal Moses and Ivana Nitzan | Special to the Jewish News Daniel Lailah | Photographer