Fall Party Tablescapes

Secrets of Star New York Chef

By Mindy Kobrin

Squash Soup Shooters Table Decoration

Guided by a top New York City chef, we’ll dress up your fall dinner table with food displays and natural decorations to celebrate the season. I’ll share with you some of chef’s expert Autumn tablescape tips to help transform the ordinary into the extraordinary in no time at all.

The Alsatian Sensation, French Chef Olivier Muller of famed Daniel Boulud’s db bistro moderne has decorated many tablescapes during his participation at star-studded event expos with Food & Wine magazine. During culinary celebrity events at Miami’s SoBe Food Festival and Foxwoods Casino, we worked together on setting fabulous table displays. With that in mind, our favorite advice is to keep decorations fresh, colorful and seasonal.

More Holiday and Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas

These Fall table decor ideas will work well for Thanksgiving or your Holiday table. If you're looking for even more ideas, click here to see my article on Festive Thanksgiving and Holiday Table Settings

Stocking Up

To bring the party home and to help make my fall get-together unforgettable, Chef Olivier and I headed to the local Union Square Farmer’s Market and stocked up.

Local Famer’s Market Materials

Seasonal produce
Varieties of apples
Figs
Chestnuts
Pears
Dried Indian corn
Gourds and squashes
Mini-pumpkins
Flowers and foliage in fall colors
Mini hay bale
Square glass vases in varying heights

Displaying Your Produce

Start with glass vases or basket of choice. For my table, we used several vases of varying heights to showcase the fresh produce. Simply fill each vase with each produce selection--the smaller vases with chestnuts, figs and mini-apples and the larger vases with pears, gourds and mini-pumpkins. Accent them with some colorful fall leaves or rosemary scented twigs to add dimension and a special touch.

The height and shape of the mini-hay bale serves as a terrific centerpiece or buffet table display. Next, group different shaped gourds next to Indian-corn and place atop the mini-hay bale. The shapely gourds also look festive clustered around the vases or gathered inside a large wooden bowl.

Extra Credit Creative Tips

Use mini-pumpkins as votive candle holders or place settings. Cut off the top of the mini-pumpkin then insert place card. I prefer to use metallic paint pens in autumn colors.
Set the table with transparent glass dinner plates. Arrange colorful fall leaves then place them underneath each plate setting in lieu of placemats.
Use large fig or oak leaves for silverware settings.
Add strings of bright berries or leaves to your chandelier. Simply string berries with needle and thread then tie to golden cords.
Drape over your chandelier.
Stay away from scented candles on the dinner table as they will eclipse the taste and aroma of your delicious food.

You can also dress up your holiday table with platters and plates shaped like leaves, pumpkins and all things fall.

Tie It All Together

To tie it all together, use some of the same produce you used for your tablescape to garnish your food platters. The colors and warmth set the tone and ambience for the fall party. Take a look at my video for a glimpse of inspiration and decorative ideas.

I’d love to see your fall party photos and creativity at work. Hope you enjoy welcoming the fall into your home as much as I do. And remember to visit and check-in with me at Celebrations for more fun tips.