Chef Marcela Valladolid
Chef Marcela Valladolid prepares cocktails at Rachael Ray's Feedback: Chefs And Cocktails during the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented By FOOD & WINE at The Bowery Hotel on October 17, 2014 in New York City. Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images

Cinco de Mayo is almost here, and celebrity chef and co-host on Food Network's “The Kitchen,” Marcela Valladolid is sharing her best tips and tricks for an amazing fiesta!

Yes, it is important to have great food and drinks, but we also know what they say: it’s all in the details. So look into every aspect of your party and check out these great ideas on how to make it perfect from start to finish.

Playlist: My latest obsession is Carlos Vives Radio on Pandora. He sets the perfect mood for any kind of get together, making it the ideal background music for a fiesta.

Decor: I love to play with things that you would never think of using as decor. I was recently inspired by my Loteria game set to turn them into guest place cards. Buying some small pinatas can also be a perfect table accent for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Floral Arrangements: I grow my own succulents and love to use them as an alternative to your traditional flower arrangement. I like to place them in small pots and vases of different sizes, shapes, and colors. The best part of this is that when my party is over, I can simply plant them back into my garden.

Drinks: Woo your guests with a delicious Pineapple Habanero Margarita - it is the perfect kick to the traditional margarita.

Suggested Food Dishes: I often serve Esquites, which are corn cups with some cilantro-chipotle butter that I serve in small individual cups for my friends and family to enjoy. Stuffed jalapenos with cheese wrapped in bacon are easy to eat and can be quite addicting. For a main course, serve some adobada tacos and let your guests build their own taco garnishing with pineapple, cilantro and onions.

Dessert: As a last minute dessert, I love to serve sundaes topped with melted dulce de leche. I cut flour tortillas into fun shapes turning them into delicious crispy cinnamon tortilla bites for your ice cream.

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