Dim sum is a style of Chinese cuisine (particularly Cantonese but also other varieties) prepared as small bite-sized portions of food served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. Thus, with bite sized presentations, a dim sum display must be approachable to your guests. A large central space -- in this case, I enjoy using my coffee table with cushions and floor pillows -- will offer easy access to the dumplings, spring rolls and garnishes.
Center your serving pieces (a sense of levels/height creates a weighted foundation across the table), and scatter bamboo boats for guests to pick up and pile with your culinary creations. Prepare small white bowls of soy, chili paste and Preservation & Co. Capitol Sriracha for dipping décor. Let the seasonal hues of the toppings grow your color palette — I especially love a pop of avocado green or ahi tuna red among the spread.
The bamboo boats allow guests to build up their bites — and a personalized set of chopsticks creates just the right sense of place.
Don't forget about the florals, too! These springy purple fritallaria surround the matcha dessert station with a pastel purpose, and deep red Mokara orchids bring out the deeper hues of sriracha and salmon, bamboo and soy. Style the blooms in sake bottle-inspired vases. Ours were provided by a beloved Memphis floral shop, The Garden District.
For an extra romantic touch, add candle votives and white hemstitch linen napkins to the mix.
