There’s nothing like having people over to share a meal.
While it’s great to catch up in restaurants, the intimacy and warmth of a home cooked dinner is hard to beat.
Yet it can be stressful, so here are some tips to help ensure the evening is just as much fun for the host as it is for the guests.
1. keep it simple
It can be so easy to get carried away when cooking for company, and that tends to be where the stress comes in. Focus on doing one dish really well rather than half a dozen courses half-heartedly.
2. plan ahead
If there’s one thing you do, make sure you plan ahead. While it can be fun to wing-it when you’re cooking for one or two, nobody needs the stress that goes along with being ill prepared for a crowd.
3. choose things that can be served at room temperature
Especially for Summer entertaining, choosing to serve things at room temperature or straight from the fridge means you can have everything plated and ready to go. It also avoids the need to work with hot things after you’ve had a few drinks. If it’s winter and you must to serve something warm, just make sure it isn’t too fussy about its ideal eating temp.
4. think big
Make the most of having heaps of mouths to feed and choose large pieces of meat or fish. A whole salmon or a glazed leg of ham can look seriously impressive and much easier than having to get the timing right for cooking 10 individual serves.
5. prepare ahead
Save the steaks and the souffles for another time. Crowd cooking means things that can be prepared in advance leaving you stress-free to mingle with your guests.
6. allow enough time
I find when I cook, things always take longer than anticipated. Best to allow way more time than you think you’ll need. I’ve been there – stuck in the kitchen, still not in my party outfit, trying to get things done while everyone is enjoying themselves – it’s no fun.
7. delegate
It isn’t the end of the world if you disregard point v. Just recruit a few willing sous chefs and you’ll have company and things done in record time.
8. serve family style
Large platters in the middle of the table not only take the pressure off having to find enough space in the kitchen to line up 10 individual plates, it’s interactive and fun to share. It also means that your mates can load up on things they love and skip out on anything not to their taste without having a guilty pile on their plate at the end of the evening.
9. designate a wine master
You’ve got enough official duties with the food. Nominating a wine master means you don’t have to worry about what to open next or if everyone’s glasses are kept topped up.
10. appoint a dj
Another easy job to outsource. With the added bonus that it can be so fascinating what people dig up from your itunes.
11. set the table first
A final trick I’ve picked up over the years. Make sure you have the table set and looking lovely before the guests arrive, that way no matter how chaotic things actually are in the kitchen, at least the front of house will have an aura of order and calm.
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