Summer is the time to shed our formal notions of entertaining in favor of easy options that capitalize on do-ahead dishes and quickly grilled entrées. Here, top food professionals suggest light and unabashedly fresh menus that highlight Texas’ abundant seafood—an Indian buffet, a grilled bistro-style dinner, and a savory cross-cultural supper.

Indian Summer MENU From Suneeta Vaswani, Houston.

Hot Off The Grill MENU from chef Jack Chaplin, Dallas

Marine Life MENU from Epicure on the Park, Dallas