Pie, Mash, Liquor - Three Words For a Memorable Party

"Pie", "mash", "liquor" - in just these three words, you could turn your next party, celebration or simple get-together from the mere ordinary into something refreshingly different. Run-of-the-mill catering becomes a different, unique and memorable experience when you offer the traditional combination of pie, mash and liquor.

If the thought of yet another cold buffet turns you off the whole idea of offering something for your guests to eat, you might find that the novelty of one of London's favourite staples goes down a storm instead. It'll take no preparation on your part, because that's all taken care of in the home delivery service. What's more, these days pie and mash are not the only things on the menu - though they can still set the overall theme of your party or get-together.

Here are just some ideas across the range of different dishes that can make that crucial difference to the fare you can offer your guests:

Pies - of course! But choose from a huge range of different types of filling. Insist on ones that are hand-made and freshly baked, as a way of ensuring that the taste is top-quality;

Mash - the traditional accompaniment to any London-made pie. But don't be fooled into thinking that the humble potato always guarantees a tasty side dish: there's mash and then there's mash. You'll find that different shops have their own special way in making it taste just the way you want it;

Liquor - the closely-guarded "secret" ingredient to any pie, mash and liquor;

Gravy - since the distinctive green colour of a traditional liquor might not be to everyone's taste, you can also choose to serve the pie and mash with a simpler, more widely recognised gravy;

Peas and beans - lending even more choice and variety to the traditional combination of pie, mash and liquor, peas and baked beans are often offered as yet another side dish;

Eels - jellied or stewed, these are also a popular accompaniment to traditional meals of pie and mash. In fact, you could go the whole East End seafood theme by buying in cockles and mussels, too;

Afters - it's not all savouries, either. Perfect companions to the pie and mash main course could be a selection of the fruit pies and crumbles that some of the better-known suppliers now also provide. In fact, you'll probably find that it's not just pies and crumbles that you can offer for afters, but practically any dessert that you or your guests might prefer.

All in all, therefore, the once simple pie, mash, liquor combination has come a long way since its old-time East London origins. With its wide range of possible starters (of stewed or jellied eels, for example), through the main courses of different pies, mash, liquor and gravy, to the accompanying side dishes of peas and baked beans, all the way to desserts of fruit pies or crumbles, it's possible to put together a veritable feast - yet a feast that doesn't cost you the earth.