Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. From tailgating to the holidays to outdoor entertaining (especially without the humidity), I can’t get enough of Fall. When I get a chance to pair fall entertaining with my second home of New Orleans, I have to jump at the chance. Today, I have partnered with Coca-Cola Consolidated to create New Orleans Grillades with Strawberry Relish. If you want to recreate this dish yourself, check out the recipe here. For this dinner party, we had a theme of Lowcountry Meets Louisiana: New Orleans Grillades with Strawberry Relish & Lowcountry Fall Entertaining
 If you don’t have time to create or would prefer to have a chef treat you, then you need to head attend the “The Table is Set: A four-city tour served with a Coke” which has partnered with Soul Food Sessions, a non-profit that is taking their mission to increase diversity in the culinary industry on the road thanks to a partnership with Coca-Cola Consolidated. For those of you who are Lowcountry based, you are in for a treat because their last stop of the tour is in Charleston, SC. You know what they say, they always save the best for last. The dinner will take place on October 16th at The Dewberry Charleston Hotel and tickets can be purchased HERE.
Here are a few behind the scenes images and sneak peaks of my fall dinner party. Be sure to share your dinner parties with me on social media using the hashtag #blacksouthernbelle
Lowcountry Meets Louisiana: New Orleans Grillades with Strawberry Relish & Lowcountry Fall Entertaining
I started off this dish the same way I start off every dish when I am hosting a party, with fresh ingredients. Growing up in the South, with a father and grandfather who always grew fresh vegetables, I believe this is key to making a meal taste great. To get my ingredients for the New Orleans Grillades with Strawberry Relish, I headed to the local Harris Teeter which is a southern favorite and always has fresh ingredients, beautiful food displays and a sushi section I can never resist 🙂
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You have to have the Holy Trinity of ingredients for any Cajun or New Orleans inspired dish. Bell peppers, celery and onions are a requirement and add a beautiful punch of flavor and color. Not to mention they look great spread out as a display in your kitchen island or table. Pumpkins are an easy option for a floral arrangement and take just minutes to put together. Not to mention, you can use cook them for another meal. 
I always like to leave a little bit of cut green onions and tomatoes for guests to add as topping on their meal. I love both of these and want to be sure it is available to my guests in case they want to add some to their meal. 
Use vintage serving glasses or cups to display toppings for your guests or to organize your ingredients.
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If you are going to host an event with a New Orleans inspired dish, you must have a Fleur De Lis. I love my Fleur De Lis Plate charger and a little silver always add a touch of elegance to any dinner party. 
I literally eat Okra every day, so any dish that includes it, makes my heart melt and I definitely add a few more pieces than the recipe required 🙂 A classic Coca-Cola cools down the spice and enhances the earthiness of braised beef while the acidity from strawberries paired with the refreshing pop from a Coke cleanses the palate after every bite. 
Try a plaid table runner for a bold fall tablescape look. For more depth, layer with a larger neutral fabric or table linen underneath the runner. 
Want more inspiration? Check out the full photo gallery below. Be sure to share your images of the recipe with us as well and we hope to see you on October 16th!
Lowcountry Meets Louisiana: New Orleans Grillades with Strawberry Relish & Lowcountry Fall Entertaining
This Blog is Sponsored by Coca-Cola Consolidated. All Opinions Are My Own.
Photos by Chantilly Lace Photography
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Michiel is a Black Southern Belle living a lowcountry life. I love all things fashion, home decor and southern! When I am not running around doing fun stuff for Black Southern Belle, I live in antique stores and have a minor obsession with historic homes :)
