Out SIGMA Santa: How to Throw the Holiday Party Everyone Will Still Be Talking About in July

If you work in food and beverage, there’s an unspoken rule: your holiday party better deliver. Friends and family aren’t just expecting a good spread; they’re expecting you to flex those industry muscles and serve up a night of flavor innovation. But let’s be real—you don’t have time to whip up a twelve-course tasting menu or source artisanal napkins from Norway. That’s why you need the SIGMA holiday mindset: big impact, minimal stress, and just enough edge to leave everyone wondering how you pulled it off.?

And, lucky for you, Brookside has always been your ace in the hole, ready to back you up and keep you looking like the flavor genius you are.

Wait, What Does SIGMA Even Mean?

Once upon a time, "SIGMA" was just the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet. Now? It’s a whole vibe. To the kids, being SIGMA means breaking the mold, playing by your own rules, and doing it all with zero apologies.

And when it comes to the holidays, a SIGMA doesn’t just host a party—they own it.

Welcome to the party that breaks all the rules, hosted by the person who makes the rules

Throw Out the Turkey. Feed the Flavor Beast.

Turkey is fine. But you’re not here for fine. You’re here for unforgettable. Show your guests what “working in food” really means with a menu that demands attention.? Here’s few ideas to get you off and running: ?

• Wings as the main event: Gochujang-glazed, harissa-dusted, or honey-lavender (yes, lavender). Bonus: wings are messy, and messy means memorable.?
• Global grazing platters: Mix industry-insider cred with crowd-pleasers. Think Spanish manchego alongside tangy Japanese pickles and Caribbean jerk shrimp skewers. Everyone gets it, but no one saw it coming.?
• Savory desserts: Miso caramel popcorn, balsamic-drizzled strawberries, and black sesame shortbread. You know your crowd—these are the hits they’ll talk about for weeks.?

Let your table say, “Yes, I work in food—and yes, I’m this good.”?

Drinks: Spikes, Smokes, and Swerves ?

The average holiday cocktail is either too sweet or too boring. Yours? It’s a masterclass. You don’t just pour drinks; you set trends.?

• “Nog, But Make It Electric”: Yuzu eggnog topped with toasted coconut flakes. Citrus brightens the custard, and the coconut? That’s just a flex.
• Smoky Mezcal Cider: Warm apple cider, chili-salt rim, and just enough mezcal to make it dangerous in the best way.?
• Non-Boozy Brilliance: You know your audience. Turmeric chai spritzers and beet-kombucha fizz for the sober folks. These drinks don’t whisper “mocktail”; they yell “masterpiece.”?

?

Decor So Good, You’ll Get Asked Who Your Agency Is

Holiday decorations usually fall into two camps: tacky or “fine, I guess.” But a Sigma knows how to set a scene that looks like it took effort—but didn’t.?

• Lighting that transforms: Ditch the string lights and bathe your space in LED hues—blue, pink, gold—so your party feels part speakeasy, part interstellar mission.
• Edible centerpieces: Think a pyramid of blood oranges and persimmons or a forest of candied fruit skewers. It’s practical, it’s stunning, and it tastes good.?
• Music that’s “just right”: Holiday music is fine—as long as it slaps. Run-D.M.C., Wham!, and Lizzo covering Mariah Carey are all on the table.?

?

Social Playbook: Because You’re Not Just a Host, You’re a SIGMA

Your guests expect you to bring the energy. These ideas make sure the fun is as inventive as the food:?

• DIY Cocktail Smackdown: Set up a bar with wild ingredients (lavender bitters, Sichuan peppercorn syrup) and let your guests create. Best drink wins a prize. Worst drink? Public shame and a selfie with the culprit.?
• Flavor Dare: Guests draw cards with unexpected pairings to try—blue cheese and dark chocolate, pickle juice and prosecco. It’s weird, it’s fun, it’s you.?
• Party favors they’ll actually use: Send everyone home with a jar of your signature spice blend. (Yuzu zest, chili flakes, and smoked salt? You just became a brand.)

Closing Time: Drop the Mic, Not the Mood ?

You know the stakes—people expect your holiday party to blow their minds. But here’s the thing: holiday parties aren’t about tradition, they’re about you. The host who isn’t afraid to serve a wild card appetizer, blast a remix of “Last Christmas,” or turn the eggnog into a conversation starter. This is your moment to rewrite the rulebook. Be bold, be spicy, be the SIGMA.?

So serve that yuzu eggnog. Turn the turkey into wings. Watch your friends and family leave thinking, “That’s why they’re in food. That’s why they win.”?

And if they’re still talking about your ube hot toddies in July? Mission accomplished.?

?? Ready to put something unforgettable on the table? Let’s make it happen together.