Ten tips to create a lavish yet affordable spread that is sure to wow guests

It’s the first time the nation will be celebrating a monarch’s Platinum Jubilee, so many Brits are likely to want to go all-out with their parties over the long bank holiday weekend. It offers the perfect opportunity for hosts to flex their table-laying muscles to serve impressive, yet simple and affordable spreads that even the Queen would be proud of.

With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in full swing, supermarket giant Aldi has partnered with Royal Warrant holder and party architect to the stars, Johnny Roxburgh, to show how shoppers can prepare the perfect party-for-10 spread. 

The trend for tablescaping, the art of creatively arranging a tabletop, has taken social media by storm, with a huge 60 million views of the hashtag on TikTok. But with the help of Johnny and Aldi, the 12 million shoppers planning to attend a Platinum Jubilee party this June, can create the perfect tablescape, complete with grazing spread – all without breaking the bank.

1. Use flowers and herbs to make your party table stylish 

Take your presentation from beautiful to extraordinary without breaking the bank, simply by adding some fresh foliage. To keep your table looking beautiful for longer, make sure your flowers and herbs are all well-hydrated. I like to place pots of herbs like Parsley down the centre of the table so guests can snip the herbs to add finishing touches to their dishes.

2. Kick off with a champagne cocktail 

As your guests arrive, place a Nature’s Pick Raspberry and a sugar lump into an Aldi Champagne flute. Top up with the delicious Jubilee English Sparkling Wine – for extra oomph add a splash of brandy to create a Jubilee cocktail.

3. Nothing says Royal glamour like gold cutlery

It is as sophisticated as it is contemporary! Line a glass jug with Aldi’s very summery strawberry print napkin, fill it with the Kirkton House Gold Cutlery Set (£12.99), and let guests help themselves.

4. Serve cheese on a platter

Cheese is always a winner. On your spread should be a selection of Aldi’s Specially Selected cheeses, ruby red radishes and glossy black grapes (the colour of the black pearls in the Queen’s jewel collection). Add crunchy celery and little bowls of The Deli Sundried Tomatoes to really bring a freshness to the display. For additional style, arrange Aldi’s Specially Selected Gourmet Crackers on a Kirkton House Oval Glaze Platter, and finish with Specially Selected Jalapeno Chilli Jam and Coronation Coleslaw.

5. Show off your cakes on a cake stand

Add height to your table with cake stands – they don’t need to be expensive. Aldi has a superb selection of stunning, affordable Jubilee Afternoon Tea Serveware, including stylish marble and gold effect cake stands. I like to mix all the cakes up so that everyone can choose their favourites, from Angel Cake to Eclairs and a classic Victoria Sponge – and don’t forget the Tea Cakes (my favourite!). 

6. Make a show out of the sides

Bowls of clotted cream and jams may not be showstoppers, but they add that touch of decadence and their display doesn’t need to be boring. Select a range, including vibrant blackcurrant, classic strawberry, and rich raspberry and tie a bunting flag around the jars, then sit them on a tray of rose petals and sprigs of mint to create the wow factor.

7. Serve foods you can all tuck into

Jubilee celebrations will be all about sharing, and Aldi’s delicious Summer Traybakes are perfect for this. Sit your guests at a long table and serve the traybake for everyone to enjoy. For little ones (or even the big ones), serve Crestwood Scotch Eggs and Snack Sausage Rolls.

8. Pour it up with a range of drinks

I like to offer guests a variety of drinks. My must-haves are Sparkling White and Rosé – even better if it’s in a magnum so it looks as though you have really pushed the boat out. Hand round some novelty drinks, such as Aldi’s Lemon Drizzle Cake Gin Liqueur or Infusionist Strawberry and Mint Gin Liqueur – it even has platinum-coloured flakes to add some sparkle on this special day.

9. Don’t forget the little details

To make your drinks royally special place a raspberry in each compartment of an ice tray, freeze in water, add to a glass, and pour over your drink of choice. And don’t forget to pop juicy Strawberries on top of a Victoria Sponge or Cheesecake to add an extra touch!

10. Prepare the good old fashioned sing-song tunes

All parties need music. Ask someone to type up the words, print them out on paper covered in Union Flags – this is the time to really celebrate each country in the United Kingdom, everything from The Lambeth Walk, Auld Lang Syne, We’ll Keep A Welcome to Danny Boy. Nothing will unite us more than celebrating the extraordinary life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth – definitely time for another glass of Veuve Monsigny Champagne.

Aldi’s Jubilee range includes stunning afternoon tea sets, quirky G&T pots, delicious cakes, succulent British strawberries, premium rich conserves, special edition Jubilee English Sparkling Wine, and more.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk