Tips for a Tasty Labor Day Celebration

Labor Day, which is always the first Monday in September, is just around the corner, making it the perfect time for planning something special. This year marks the 125^th anniversary of the celebration that honors the American worker and is the unofficial end of summer. Millions of people around the country will take the day off and relax, attend events, and hold their own backyard celebrations. Having a tasty celebration is easier than one may think, and planning ahead can make a world of difference in keeping the celebration stress-free.

“Having a gathering for Labor Day is a great way to have fun, mingle, and enjoy some wonderful food,” explains Mathil Chebat, the mother and executive chef of Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant, a family-owned and operated restaurant. “The centerpiece of your celebration is going to be the food you serve, so you want to pay special attention to that and aim to please.”

Planning a backyard BBQ or fun Labor Day gathering will be welcomed by friends and co-workers. Here are some tips for having a tasty Labor Day celebration:

• Wow the crowd. Opt for making something that is easy, yet will be a pleasant surprise for those who attend the celebration. Opting for something like barbecuing kabobs will give people a delicious meal that they will remember and you can brag about.
• Make it a potluck. If you want to share the labor in preparing food for the gathering, consider making it a potluck. Make it more fun by picking a theme and asking people to bring a dish to share. Example themes include Mediterranean, Spanish, summer, Mexican fiesta, etc. You could have one in which everyone brings a dish that is a family favorite, or opt for a Meatless Monday theme, since the holiday will be on a Monday.
• Choose drinks wisely. What you offer people to drink is going to make a big difference. Aim for a variety of options, so that there is something for everyone, and if you will be serving wine, try to pair it with what you are serving.
• Consider catering. For you and your guests to really get a day off, consider catering your Labor Day celebration. It’s more affordable than you may think, and it saves you the time and effort of preparing food for everyone.
• Serve sensational ready-made flavors. If you want to save time, opt for premade things you can put out, such as dips. Opt for ones that are expertly made and have a great reputation, such as those made by Lalya’s. Layla’s Food Company offers gourmet ready-made whips, dips, and more.
• Employ psychology. There is a lot more that goes into creating a great-tasting meal at a gathering than just the food. Research has shown that the ambiance and even the plates make a difference. If a plate of food looks nice, for example, people tend to think it tastes better. Put a little effort into how the food area looks and the ambiance, and researchers say the guests will be more likely to find the food tastier.

“If you want the most stress-free and most delicious Labor Day celebration, let us help you out,” added Christiane Chebat, the daughter and catering director at Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant. “We have catering options to meet all of your needs. Your guests will love our menu, and you’ll love being able to relax and enjoy!”

Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant offers catering services for all sizes of gatherings and events, including parties, graduations, and work lunches. They are known for serving up some of the best authentic kabob’s in the area. There are catering options for those who are health-conscious, vegetarian, vegan, or wanting all organic.  Their catering options include hummus, grape leaves, falafel, meat pie, stuffed kibbeh, salads, moussaka, beef shawarma, kabobs, and more. The company also offers a line of ready-made products that are available in stores and farmers markets throughout Virginia and New York. The Layla’s Food Company product line includes Layla’s Garlic Whip, available in original, honey garlic, jalapeño cilantro, cranberry, and sun-dried tomato, and Layla’s Hummus, available in original and black bean.

Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant, located at 2217 Old Bridge Road in Woodbridge, Virginia, is owned by the Chebat family. The restaurant was started by Michael Chebat and his wife, Mathil, and it is run by them and their eight children. Together, they have created a menu that appeals to many, including those who are health-conscious, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and seeking organic options. The restaurant is open Monday-Thursday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday from noon until 4:00 pm.

The company has defined a set of core values that include love, family, trust, quality, and flavor. Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant offers a menu filled with authentic Middle East dishes, including kabobs, falafel, hummus, grape leaves, beef shawarma, meat pies, stuffed cabbage, a Lebanese version of steak tartar, and a wine and beer menu. The restaurant also offers full catering services for birthdays, graduations, business events, work lunches, and more. Those who sign up for their email list will receive 10 percent off their next visit. For more information about Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant, visit the site at: https://www.laylas.net. For more information about Layla’s Food Company, including which stores carry the product line, visit the site:https://www.laylasfood.com.

About Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant

Located in Woodbridge, Virginia, Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant has been serving up authentic Middle East cuisine for over 10 years. Family-owned and operated, the company offers a wide variety of traditional dishes made from family recipes. The restaurant also offers catering and has a dip product line that is available in stores. For more information, visit: https://www.laylas.net.