Discover the secrets to give distinctive, memorable dinners in five easy steps. In this article, the second in a series of five, shows you how.
5 steps to the perfect dinner
Choose a theme organise organize, organize,put some thought into your guests pay attention to details serve fabulous food without effort
The plan
Once you have decided on a concept or theme party, something around which to organize the details of your party, your next job is to make a plan and write it down in detail.
Decide how many visitors you have and that they will be. Think of everything from food restrictions or allergies where everyone will sit. plan your menu. What will you serve? Will be how many courses? You will cook everything yourself, you'll buy dessert in the local bakery, pot-luck?
Plan your invitations, menus and party favors based on their concept or theme. Depending on how complex they are, you may need to work with them at least a week ahead of time. At least, plan to have menus and favors ready to go ahead of two days. Course invitations have already been prepared and sent.
Choose your music based on their concept or theme. Make a complete list on your ipod or copying it to a couple of CD so you won't have to think about for the rest of the night.
Make grocery lists two, one for items that can be acquired more than three days ahead of time and a cool items that need to be purchased within a day or two of the party.
Create a detailed plan of attack-what are you going to do and when-and post on your refrigerator. Prepare a list to be done ahead of time, for the morning of the party, to the noon and a list of things that need to be done immediately before and after the guests arrive. In the middle of the chat with friends, is entirely too easy to forget to put the rice in 30 minutes before dinner. So when you are preparing to serve as the main dish, you realize that you have to extend the cocktail hour for 30 minutes, and your roast chicken with care must now be reheated.
Plan your configuration table, including: tablecloth, napkins, china, glasses, cutlery, centerpiece, candles, everything. Try some ideas a week or so ahead of time. I always think that setting the table takes longer than I think, because keep trying different combinations to get the effect I'm looking for. Make sure you know exactly which dishes are used for each course, on the basis that would detonate the food to their best advantage. (Remember, everything doesn't have to match).
While you're at it, plan how you garnish each plate, write it down and add the items to your shopping list now. Don't forget to also plan what pieces to serve you will need, including serving utensils.
Take every single item out two days ahead of time and make sure it is shining clean and ready to go. You do not want to take your cocktail glasses when you are ready to serve, only to discover that they are sunny and you've got to give them a quick wash while looking for guests in.
Do it ahead of time
One of the most important lessons that leaned watch entertain my mother is doing everything you can to the front as possible. Remember that everything will take longer than you think. And, although you may be able to get up early and make 10:0 preparation, you will really feel like going to his own party after all that?
The time-consuming details, such as planning, invitations, menus, party favors and music should be made at least several days ahead. Preparations for the feast is in full swing, starting on the day before the party, and if you leave these details until then, they become more of a chore than a nice part of your party.
After starting the final preparations, everything that can be done on the previous day should be done on the previous day. Shop for groceries, define your table, get their pieces serving, chill the wine, prepare any food that can be prepared a day ahead. Unless you have to do in the real day of the party, the better. Then, on the day of the party, prepare everything as earlier in the day that it can be prepared.
Organizing in this way can seem daunting at first but once you have done this once or twice becomes almost second nature. And it makes much difference, allowing you to breeze through his party, confident and serene, enjoying yourself and be a more lively and charming host. Your guests will know how you can do it. Her secret: organize, organize, organize.
Charlotte Rose is a passionate Cook and creative party-giver. To find distinctive menus and plans for building your own memorable dinners, visit their website at http://www.CharlotteRoseCooks.com
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