Sizzling summer events: the latest trends.

"What are the latest trends in parties? What's hot and what's not? What s cool and what's cooled off?" These questions come up constantly in the industry, and over the past 20 years, innumerable trends have come and gone. A few years ago, Mashed Potato Martini Bars were all the rage. Then there were the walking table tops carried by servers whose decorated heads would protrude from the middle of a table laden with hors d'oeuvres. Yuck!

While these trends come and go, the essence of a great party remains the same--simple, elegant and tasteful, with the right mix of the tried-and-true with a dash of the new and exciting. A beautiful setting, bountiful, delicious fare, and the warmth of true hospitality are at the heart of any successful gathering. For summer events, especially, simplicity is key. You can rely on the outdoors to provide a stunning setting, and the simplest dishes best showcase the season's bounty, and after the rains of this winter, Angelenos are truly ready for a party. I love the casual elegance of a summer event, when women can go cool and sleeveless and men can lose the ties. The fare can be similarly casual, easy and comfortable, from bite-size hors d'oeuvres to backyard barbecues, all showcasing California abundance of fresh ingredients.

The bounty of our local Farmer's Markets is not limited to the buffet table. Creative mixologists throughout L.A. are combining the season's freshest fruits with quality liquors to concoct seasonal cocktails, such as mango mojitos with fresh mint and ginger-tinis with fresh ginger and vanilla vodka. Summer coolers offer refreshing, lower-alcohol alternatives with seasonal berries or passion fruit.

If you're ambitious enough to tackle a summer party yourself, here are some tried and true tips to help make your event a success:

First and foremost, make it easy on yourself and your guests. Design a menu that can be prepared in advance and stored or refrigerated until the big moment. Don't burden yourself with complicated recipes that will keep you in the kitchen or rushing around replenishing when you should be enjoying your guests.

Place platters of appetizers throughout the party area. An appetizing buffet becomes annoying if you can't reach it through the throng of hungry guests. Place some of the dishes on kitchen counters, coffee tables, or anywhere you find a spot that will be accessible to your guests. This way, they can enjoy a few nibbles as they mix and mingle.

Use small plates rather than dinner plates, they are much easier for guests to juggle with their drinks. Better yet, focus on finger foods, but be sure to offer toothpicks or skewers for those too shy or polite to use their fingers.

As for the bar, take advantage of summer's casual style and greet your guests with a seasonal, signature cocktail. Then just set out open bottles of wine, beer and soft drinks on ice. Your guests can help themselves, and you don't have to stock a full bar.

For dessert, think small bites. Tiny cookies, bite-size brownies or lemon bars, miniature tarts from the bakery, even cupcakes make it easy for your guests to keep up with the schmoozing while satisfying their sweet tooth.

While some celebrations are perfect for handling at home, not everyone is an aspiring chef, and not every event is suitable for a home kitchen. If the idea of planning your summer soiree sounds exhausting, turn to a professional. One of the simplest settings for any party is your favorite restaurant. At the Patina Group, each of our restaurants has lovely private rooms for smaller events, and most offer patios and terraces for al fresco entertaining. One of our best-kept secrets is how fabulous a restaurant environment can be for a smashing party, whether an intimate birthday for ten or a blowout bash for 500.

Alternatively, you can have your party catered at your home or a favorite outdoors location. You don't have to be planning a formal dinner party to turn to a caterer. Patina Catering creates events as formal as the Emmys and as casual as backyard barbecues and company picnics. It's the perfect way to create a personal celebration without the stress of cooking and planning.

Whatever you choose to do for your summer entertaining, just remember that your guests honor you when they choose to accept your invitation. Serve them well, go easy on yourself, and enjoy the sunshine!

Laurence Whiting is Director of Special Events at Joachim Splichal's Patina Catering. Call 866-9-PATINA to speak with one of Patina's special event professionals who can help pick a location and menu perfect for an event.