Plan your meal: Jotting down notes in a notepad is helpful, especially if you’re planning a big dinner. Plan your party as far in advance as possible in case any unexpected problems arise. This way you will have time to take care of them. If you have a long to-do list, creating a plan will help you get things done in a timely manner. You don’t want to be so stressed that you can’t enjoy your party.
Stay with the familiarity: You’re excited about dinner and want everyone to be impressed with your cooking skills to avoid a potentially disastrous night and skip that exotic dish you’ve been dying to try. Most people are creatures of habit and it can take some time to warm up unfamiliar dishes.
Create a shopping list: Make a list of everything you want to achieve and everything you need. Take a look and see what you already have and how much. Make sure you get more than enough of what you need to prepare your meal so you don’t run out in the middle of cooking. Not everyone may drink wine, so offer a variety of beverages that are also non-alcoholic. Have at least two kinds of meats, a variety of side dishes, and a light dessert.
Consider special diets: Check with your guests to see if any of them have special dietary needs.
Decide on special items: If you can afford to be extravagant, splurge a bit. If not, that’s okay because it’s all about family, friends, good food, and good times. Chances are, everyone will appreciate the hard work and effort you put into making the occasion special.
Select a topic: Unless you have international guests from all over the world for dinner, choose a cuisine theme. Avoid trying to get creative by having a variety of dishes from different cultures or, worse yet, a fusion of two dishes that is experimental.
Make an inventary: Do you have enough pots and pans that are the right size and correct? Kitchen space? Tables and chairs? What about serving plates, crockery, glasses and cutlery? Togo containers?
If not, buy what you need or borrow from family and friends who won’t mind lending to you.
Plan preparation time: So that you can spend as much time with your guest instead of being in the kitchen, prepare a few dishes ahead of time. This really works great if you have a complex dish that you want to serve. The only thing left to do is heat the food and add the finishing touches.
Organize settings: Keep it casual so everyone can relax and have a good time. If you have a large group of people (11 or more), it’s probably better to serve your guest a sit-down meal than a buffet.
Consider extras: Decorations, music, and food garnishes are optional, but are a nice touch but not required. Keep it simple if you decide to add them. The presentation and quality of food and company is what everyone will remember and talk about.
Planning a menu is very easy and will help you avoid a disastrous evening. Follow these simple tips and everyone at your dinner party will have a great time and share fond memories.