Outdoor Entertaining Essentials: Elevate Your Alfresco Gatherings

Summer is here, and that means it’s time to move the party outside. Whether you're hosting a laid-back barbecue or an elegant garden soirée, the right tools and serveware can make outdoor entertaining effortless and beautiful. At Chef’s Corner Store, we believe that form and function go hand in hand. That’s why we’ve curated a few of our favorite essentials from Le Creuset, Fortessa, and MacKenzie-Childs to help you host with confidence and style.

Le Creuset

When it comes to presentation, Le Creuset is hard to beat. Their stoneware serving pieces are perfect for grilled meats, colorful salads, or fresh fruit displays. Available in a rainbow of colors, their Signature stoneware line holds heat and cold well, making them ideal for outdoor service. Bonus: They're dishwasher-safe, so cleanup is a breeze.

Chef's Corner Store Outdoor Entertaining Pick: Le Creuset's new Signature Oval Chip & Dip Platter in Cerise or Sea Salt adds a pop of color to your patio table. The center is designed to hold their 8-ounce mini cocotte, making it the perfect afternoon snack station for chips and guac, veggies and ranch, or apple slices and caramel.

Entertaining Tip: Fill a large oval Dutch oven with ice and bottled beverages for a fun and easy-to-clean beverage station for your next barbeque.

Fortessa

Skip the flimsy plastic cups and step up your game with Fortessa. Offering a variety of tumblers, wine, and cocktail glasses in shatter-resistant acrylic, Fortessa's drinkware is elegant enough for guests and durable enough for poolside sipping.

Chef's Corner Store Outdoor Entertaining Pick: With the same stylish look as Fortessa's popular Jupiter glasses, the Orbetto Collection is shatter-resistant and perfect for outdoor use.

Entertaining Tip: Before your guests arrive, fill Fortessa Sole Outdoor Stemless wine glasses halfway with water and add sprigs of herbs (like mint, rosemary, or basil) or edible flowers (like pansies or violets). Freeze the glasses, then top them off with your beverage of choice just before serving.

MacKenzie-Childs

If whimsy is your style, MacKenzie-Childs brings it in spades. Their enamelware pieces are eye-catching conversation starters and surprisingly practical. Lightweight yet sturdy, these serveware items are made for picnics, patios, and everywhere in between. They're also easy to mix and match, adding instant personality to your table.

Chef's Corner Store Outdoor Entertaining Pick: The MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Round Tray is ideal for charcuterie spreads, cookies, or sliders fresh off the grill.

Entertaining Tip: Think beyond the stovetop—your beloved MacKenzie-Childs Tea Kettle isn't just for tea. For your next outdoor gathering, repurpose it as a whimsical centerpiece by filling it with fresh wildflowers or garden blooms.

Ready to Host?

With the right tools, outdoor entertaining doesn't have to be stressful. Visit Chef's Corner Store online or in-store to explore our full range of summer-ready products. Whether you're setting the table for two or twenty, we've got everything you need to serve in style.