Pull out your grandmother's antique silver, your mother's wedding china, purchase some inexpensive floral handkerchiefs and invite your girlfriends over for a beautiful luncheon. Serve the food buffet-style. Place plates, forks and napkins at the end of the table and arrange the Crispy Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus with Honey-Mustard Dipping Sauce, Fruity Blackberry Salad and Shrimp Remoulade so that guests may serve themselves. I like to use cosmo glasses for the Shrimp Remoulade but everything can easily be served on a luncheon plate.

I keep a list of recipe ideas on my desk. Some are for my catering business, others are for my column. When Hurricane Florence cancelled or postponed all of my events last week, I did what I do best. I trashed my kitchen. I don't get to do it often but when I do it, I do it well.