40th Birthday Private Brunch | Full Menu Execution & Styling

For this 40th birthday celebration, the theme was Tropical Paradise, and I built a full brunch menu around bright flavors, fresh ingredients, and a relaxed, vacation-style vibe. The host wanted something fun, colorful, and a little unexpected — a brunch that felt like sunshine on a plate.

The menu featured a fresh tropical fruit bar served with Greek yogurt, orange blossom honey, and granola. The Big Texas Quiche was baked with green chiles, bacon, sharp cheddar, caramelized onion, and roasted tomato, while the chorizo waffles brought a savory-sweet balance with chopped mango, tajín, chamoy, maple syrup, and whipped butter. The Amarillo Salad combined grilled corn, avocado, queso fresco, and Southwest ranch, and the “Top or Bottom Your Grits” station offered stone-ground grits with white cheddar, chorizo, pico de gallo, cilantro, and both verde and roja salsa. To round out the experience, guests enjoyed South Florida mimosas made with fresh Florida orange juice and bubbles.

The setup included a full hot station with quiche and grits, a waffle bar loaded with tropical toppings, a vibrant fruit and salad display, and a range of sauces and garnishes so guests could customize every plate. Everything was prepared, cooked, and styled on-site for a fresh, interactive brunch experience.

This event brought color, comfort, and playful tropical energy to a milestone celebration — a laid-back, festive, and flavorful way to welcome 40.