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Gourmet Party Food Ideas for Breezy Summer Entertaining​

Feature: Long Read
Words by Bridie Newman

Whatever the celebration, one thing is for certain: everyone’s favourite spot to linger during a party is at the food table. However, while smaller gatherings present the opportunity to plate elaborate summer recipes, feeding a crowd requires a different kind of menu – one with bite-sized food that’s easy to eat while standing (or dancing) and can be prepared ahead of time.

That’s where The Food Halls come in. Brimming with premium produce and chef-made delights, they’re full of options for feeding a hungry horde. Here, we share some easy Italian-inspired party food ideas to impress your guests and make hosting a breeze.  

Easy Summer Party Nibbles

  • Plate with cheese, nuts, grapes and figs

    The Italian Cheeseboard

    Ask our cheesemongers to help you assemble the ultimate cheeseboard . For an Italian-themed selection, they recommend the complex Blu ’61 aged in sweet Raboso Passito red wine as the showstopper, paired with flavoured crackers from The Fine Cheese Co. 

  • Plate full of crostini's

    The Seasonal Crostinis

    Grill your baguette slices, rub with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, then top two ways: with cream cheese, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes or with ricotta, chargrilled yellow plums and fried diced pancetta. Trust us, these will disappear in seconds.

  • Plates full of cold meats and mozerella and tomato

    The Antipasti Platter

    A winning antipasti equation: marinated artichokes wrapped in pancetta, sliced bread and fresh figs. Serve with Caprese skewers drizzled in balsamic vinegar – a refreshing salad nibble that doesn’t require cutlery.  

Anchovy-Stuffed Olives Recipe

Deliciously moreish, these sinfully salty deep-fried olives are the perfect party appetiser. Make more than you think you’ll need. Your guests will thank you.  

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Makes 35 breaded olives
Time: 30 minutes 

100g plain flour
100g panko breadcrumbs
1 lemon
60g Grana Padano cheese, grated
1 large egg
2x 150g jars of Perello Gordon large green pitted olives
2 tins of anchovy fillets in oil, halved
Vegetable oil for deep-frying
Salt and pepper for seasoning

Summer BBQ Skewers

Beef Skewers cooking on bbq

Firing up the grill? Make it a gourmet affair with our hand-prepared, 100% British meat skewers from the butcher’s counter in the Fresh Market Hall. Think Aberdeen Angus beef and peppers coated in a rich chimichurri sauce, aromatic rose-harissa chicken and pepper, and juicy pork belly and spring onions coated in a sticky teriyaki glaze. Serve with our panzanella salad and stuffed peppers from the dinner counter.

Marinated for a minimum of 12 hours, our ready-made skewers bring succulent textures and rich flavours to the party.

Beef Skewers on bbq

Firing up the grill? Make it a gourmet affair with our hand-prepared, 100% British meat skewers from the butcher’s counter in the Fresh Market Hall. Think Aberdeen Angus beef and peppers coated in a rich chimichurri sauce, aromatic rose-harissa chicken and pepper, and juicy pork belly and spring onions coated in a sticky teriyaki glaze. Serve with our panzanella salad and stuffed peppers from the dinner counter.

  • BBQ food

    How to Host an Italian-Inspired Garden Party

    This season’s theme: La Dolce Vita. From how to set up your outdoor space to mouthwatering menu ideas, here’s how to party alfresco, Italian style.  

    Read & Shop

The Best Wines to Drink this Summer

Summer Drinks Guide

Garden parties, picnics, barbecues – whatever your plans, our experts select the best wines to help you celebrate the season.

Read & Shop
Cheese Platter

Party Food to Order

Prefer to order a ready supply of party food? We’ve got you covered with gourmet canapés, opulent hors d’oeuvres and crowd-pleasing platters prepared by our chefs.

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Home Entertaining Boutique

Home Entertaining

Prepare for a season of fabulous garden parties, gourmet barbecues, decadent picnics and more with Harrods as your guide.

Discover