Click here for
the current
"Featured Recipe"
|
- Plan your menu. If you're planning a
"sit-down" meal, you'll want to choose four or five courses: appetizers, soup
and/or salad, entrée and dessert. For a buffet style meal, I still suggest serving food
in courses. For example, change courses at 30-minute intervals -- a bruscetta to start,
replaced by a cheese platter, then sliced fruit and later desserts...
- Make a list -- actually write your menu!
This makes shopping more efficient. Items ordered from specialty stores sometimes require
a little extra time, so it's important to plan ahead.
- Don't get in over your head. A simple
menu, made the day of the party, will be less stressful for you. Choose food which you can
prepare in one to two hours so you don't spend all day "prepping." That way,
you'll be able to enjoy the party as much as your guests! Of course, if you truly love to
cook, preparing a more elaborate menu might be almost as much fun for you.
- Don't be afraid to delegate. If things get
hectic, don't hesitate to ask your friends or family to help out by brining food or
helping you in the kitchen. That way, you can enjoy preparing your specialties. So don't
be afraid, for instance, to ask your brother to pick up an extra appetizer or a couple
more bottles of Korbel Chardonnay Champagne.
- Practice makes perfect. The more you
entertain, the easier it gets. Try hosting different types of parties. Expand your
repertoire of favorite dishes. With practice, you'll become a relaxed and confident host.
And you'll have fun!
Copyright© 1998 - 2002
Curtis Aikens
All Rights Reserved
Site Development and Maintenance Services
by: TurnerMedia |
Great menu planning recipes can be found in Curtis' cookbooks!
|