With the King’s Coronation just around the corner, the nation is preparing for a long weekend of celebrations with family and friends. From making your space party-perfect, to planning the centrepiece dish to impress your in-laws, there is a lot to think about!
With that in mind, we have collated four top time-saving tips from Taskers, all about how to plan the perfect Coronation party. Read on for more, and don’t forget that for help ticking anything off your to-do list ahead of this weekend, you can find a Tasker in your local area here.
1. Preparing a royally-approved quiche:
No summer party is complete without a quiche, but now that King Charles has personally chosen it to be the signature dish of this weekend, it will be an essential centrepiece for any Coronation party. Nico P, professional chef and Tasker says
“Even if you’re not too confident in the kitchen, fire up the oven and have a go at baking a quiche for your Coronation party guests to enjoy. You can make a quick and easy quiche using ready made shortcrust pastry or even a crustless quiche too, which is perfect for anyone with a gluten intolerance. Quiche is delicious and super simple to make with only a handful of ingredients and you can use what you have lying around; the base of the quiche filling only requires 3 ingredients; milk, cream and eggs. You can add in any additional ingredients you have lying around, including vegetables, fish, spices, cheeses or meats. To avoid a soggy quiche bottom, it’s always best to blind bake the pastry. This means covering the pastry in baking paper and a weighted object such as baking beans, rice or pie weights to prevent it from rising.”
By adding this quiche to the selection of savoury treats you offer, you’ll be able to emulate the King’s very own famous garden parties with the flick of an oven switch.
2. Getting your garden party-ready:
A well-groomed garden is essential for a Coronation get-together, providing a relaxing space for your guests to (hopefully!) enjoy the sunshine. Tasker Freddie B, who also specialises in gardening tasks, shares a few ways you can have your garden in the best shape before your nearest and dearest arrive.
“If you have stubborn weeds, a mixture of one cup of salt dissolved in two cups of hot water should do the trick for getting rid of them. If you don’t have fresh plants growing, you can dot around bouquets of pre-arranged flowers to brighten up the space. And by adding a splash of soda water to the water, it’ll keep them fresher for longer! Or, if you’re short of time, you can always hire a Tasker to lend a hand and whip your garden into shape for you”.
3. Designing your own drinks:
To keep the Coronation theme going throughout your celebrations, themed drinks will be the perfect addition. Professional bartender and Tasker Lina B advises that this tiny touch can make a massive difference.
“A cocktail menu, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, that matches the theme of the event will always put a smile on people’s faces from my experience, and it really shows the effort the host has gone to. Why not try a whisky cocktail, the King’s favourite. An Old Fashioned is timeless and so simple; stir together 60ml of whisky, 2 teaspoons of sugar syrup, a dash of Angostura bitters, over ice and add a splash of soda water if you like. Garnish with an orange peel and voila! A cocktail fit for a king”.
4. Laying a table fit for a king:
Tasker James R advises that the setting can make or break the aesthetic of any gathering. To give your party a regal feel, James suggests
“It’s all about maximalism for tablescaping this summer. Embroidered tablecloths and napkins, statement glassware (bonus points for clashing colours) and brightly-toned candlesticks are simple ways to ensure an eye-catching aesthetic. If you want to give a nod to King Charles without going full union jack in your design, choose purple and gold tones, and English garden flowers worthy of the Duchy Estate to decorate the table with.”
