Global Celebrations: Grecian Elegance

Colin Cowie's elegant table settings await partygoers at the Belvedere Hotel, on Mykonos.

Photo: Courtesy Colin Cowie

To coincide with the reopening of the BELVEDERE HOTEL on the Greek island of Mykonos—the property had undergone a makeover—event planner extraordinaire Colin Cowie threw a summer fête there. He asked Mireille Guiliano, the New York–based president of Clicquot Inc. and the author of French Women Don't Get Fat, to select the Champagne.

The Guest List The eighty-one guests came from all over the world—Turkey, South Africa, Europe and the U.S. "It wasn't like a typical party in New York or L.A. or Paris," says Guiliano. "No one talked about work or real estate. The attitude was, 'Let's have fun and enjoy life.'"

Good Timing Incidentally, the party took place during the Fourth of July weekend, which meant that many American guests were able to attend.

Dramatic Decor The hotel's poolside, which has staggering views of the beach and the Aegean Sea below, is the perfect spot for an alfresco dinner. "The long white tables were decorated with pink flowers that were the exact color of the sunset," says Guiliano. "It was like something out of a fairy tale."

Food and Wine To oversee the dinner, Cowie brought in Geoffrey Zakarian, the head chef and owner of the two New York City restaurants Town and Country. Guiliano worked with him to pair Champagne to each course. Four were served, including La Grande Dame Rosé and a sweet one with dessert.

Lessons Learned Between courses, Guiliano and Zakarian moved from table to table, talking about the Champagne and explaining the menu. "With Colin you always have fun, but you also learn something," says Guiliano.

Belvedere Hotel: Open from April to October. Rooms from $265. 011-30-228-90-25-122; www.belvederehotel.com.