Tips for Hosting a Dinner Party

Nothing brings people together like good food and good company. I really enjoy hosting dinner parties for my friends and family and I have organized enough of them to know what it really takes to ensure that everyone leaves with full stomachs and a smile on their face. 

Whether you're cooking for a group of twenty close friends or five foodies, planning the menu is perhaps the most important aspect of the process. When preparing a family style meal or one where each person is served individual plates, dietary preferences must always be considered. A few years ago, I was a vegan for several months and I learned a whole new area of food that was unfamiliar to me. Be sure to ask your guests whether or not they have a food allergy or simply will not taste a certain ingredient.

I usually serve at least five courses for the meal and timing is extremely important. 

• Preparing your ingredients the previous night will save you a great deal of time. Peeling and cutting the vegetables for every dish and storing them in separate glass bowls or containers wrapped with plastic wrap is a good approach. For produce that tends to change color when exposed to air, soak them in water with a little bit of lemon juice.

 Roasted asparagus with a mushroom beschamel sauce

• Make sure that you have plenty of plates or serving platters and silverware that are consistent in appearance. 
• Offer a selection of beverages or have your guests bring something. Be considerate of the drink and food pairings because that detail can either make or break a dish. I never allow my guests to bring beer because it tends to lower the quality of the overall meal. I only allow red wine to be paired with red meats and white wine to be paired with seafood or poultry. 

Marinated shrimp with sauteed onions served over brown rice

• For any meal, the food should always be served hot or at least very warm. Timing the completion of each course is perhaps the most challenging task but there are a few remedies to ease the process.
• Serves small dishes such as crackers with cheese or stuffed mushrooms to keep your guests occupied while you prepare the rest of the meal.
• Do not cook meat until you are absolutely ready because reheating it will only overcook it and diminish its flavor. Once its ready, allow the meat to rest for a few minutes in order for the juices to redistribute. Remember, juices equals flavor.
• Finishing the cooking process in the oven is an excellent method to decrease the amount of chaos in the kitchen. Sear both sides of the meat in a skillet with a heat proof handle and slide the entire thing in the oven.

Minimizing the amount of time spent in the kitchen allows you to spend more time with your family and friends so careful planning is the key to a successful dinner party.