How to Host a Seafood Tasting Party

Experience something new, all while savoring your favorites. Seafood tasting parties unfold as a culinary expedition for all guests, offering a chance to take in familiar flavors, push the boundaries of seasoning and get exposure to a wider range of fish and shellfish. In thinking about nutrition, most of the items on the menu help guests get in some protein and omega-3s.

If you're hosting, review our tips and suggestions for planning your party:

Select a Type of Seafood Party

From grilled, perfectly moist and flaky tuna steaks to the intense profile of salmon to the intrigue of caviar, seafood covers a globe-wide spectrum. Parties, in this vein, highlight a specific group of flavors, experiences or locale:

• Barbecue: Across a full menu of tuna, salmon and sea bass, combine the traditional cookout atmosphere with grilled, Cajun-tinged offerings and complementary sides.
• Sushi: Vinegar-seasoned rice and select vegetables and sauces accentuate the flavors of various raw and cooked fish. Either prepare the sushi yourself, or do a deconstructed affair with poke bowls that allow guests to select their favorite base ingredients, fish and toppings.
• Fish fry: Whether you go British with a fish and chips-inspired meal, complete with newspaper and malt vinegar, or Southern-style with cornmeal batter and ample sides, this casual affair plays crispiness against starchy potatoes and crunchy coleslaw.
• Boils: Whether with a New England or Southern angle, all the shellfish go in the pot, just lightly seasoned, while trays of fried and baked fish, plus potatoes and corn on the cob, cover the full scope of late summertime bliss.
• Caviar parties: Know someone eager to indulge in the tender and slightly briny notes of caviar? These elegant parties, often complete with blinis and a bubbly beverage, let guests sample multiple types of caviar alongside complementary ingredients, from creamy, herbed condiments to smoked salmon.

Other Tips

Across all types of seafood tasting parties, make sure you:

• Keep your seafood fresh: Cook and consume within one to two days of receiving your order to preserve its flavor.
• Plan a full menu: This approach starts with an appetizer or two, a soup or salad, one or two sides, dessert and drinks. Avoid ingredients that overpower the flavor of the fish or caviar: In general, citrus-based ingredients and select herbs like garlic, cayenne, rosemary and paprika place their natural attributes front and center. And across the menu, present guests with multiple textures, from raw or roasted vegetables to creamed, mashed or smoked ingredients.
• Make sure your guests don't have seafood allergies: Ask ahead of time - even before you send out your invites.
• Set out a few types of seasonings and condiments: For casual seafood-tasting parties, tartar sauce, butter, cocktail sauce and lemon slices are baselines. For more elevated affairs, craft your own creations: Popular, versatile choices include a tangy garlic sauce, wine sauce, flavored butters and chimichurri.