Turning 21 - and planning the food!

I’m turning 21 next month, and while I’m really looking forward to celebrating with friends and family, I’m obviously excited about the food!

I’ve booked a chef local to my home who specialises in Southeast Asian food after discovering him at another friend’s 21st birthday party. The food was so good that I knew I wanted him to cater for mine too.

The menu is a mix of Japanese and Filipino dishes, with plenty of different flavours and styles of cooking.

Sushi and Sashimi

We’ll be starting with an assortment of sushi and sashimi. Sushi combines vinegared rice with ingredients such as seafood and vegetables, while sashimi is thinly sliced raw fish or seafood served without rice. I love how simple and fresh Japanese food can be, letting the quality of the ingredients speak for itself.

Japanese-Style Skewers

There will also be a selection of grilled skewers featuring chicken, pork, beef, prawns and scallops. Inspired by Japanese yakitori and kushiyaki, these are small pieces of meat or seafood cooked over a grill, often with a savoury soy-based glaze or seasoning. I’m particularly looking forward to the scallops and prawns.

Gyoza

Another favourite of mine! These Japanese dumplings will come with pork, chicken, prawn and vegetable fillings. Gyoza are typically pan-fried to give them a crispy golden base before being steamed, leaving the tops soft and the fillings juicy. They’re usually served with a soy and vinegar dipping sauce.

Filipino Lechon and Fragrant Rice

For the main course, we’re heading to the Philippines. Lechon is one of the country’s most famous celebration dishes, traditionally made by slow-roasting a whole pig until the skin is incredibly crispy and the meat is tender and succulent. It’s often the centrepiece of Filipino parties and special occasions, so it seems fitting for a 21st birthday.

As I’m sure you know after my travels in the Summer, I love Asian food - especially the balance of sweet, salty, sour and savoury flavours, so this is pretty much my ideal birthday menu.

I can’t wait to see it all come together and, more importantly, eat it!

I’ll be sharing plenty of photos and a full review after the party.