How to Throw a Casual Mexican Taco Party Like a Chef

Whether you're celebrating Day of the Dead, Cinco de Mayo, or just a low-key Friday night with friends, a build-your-own-taco buffet and a few colorful decorations make for a fun Mexican-theme party. "Top Chef" judge and frequent party host Hugh Acheson shows you how.

Mexican Party Ideas

When well-known chef Hugh Acheson entertains at home, he likes to keep things simple and fun. The award-winning chef and cookbook author and Top Chef judge mixes a batch of tasty drinks and sets a casual buffet to make his guests feel welcome and relaxed.

The ingredients for a fun and simple Mexican fiesta include:

? A ready-to-pour pitcher of refreshing cocktails.

? A serve-yourself buffet piled with recipes you can mostly make ahead.

? Vibrant decorations such as paper pom-poms (make them yourself or buy them in a wide range of colors at amazon.com), bright linens, and richly hued flowers in colorful pottery vases (try an interesting pairing like these spray roses with two-tone geranium leaves from the garden).