Preparing to Entertain

What is your normal routine in terms of getting ready to entertain guests?

Any special tips or time management techniques you have learned along the way?

Are you always chaotic and struggling last minute to get all the cleaning and cooking done? or are you able to spread everything out evenly?

Re: Preparing to Entertain

I am usually well prepared. I clean a few days in advance so I only have to do last minute tasks (like the toilet!) and I usually make any desserts ahead of time.

I always run into the problem though with time management in terms of food. Like with oven items. If more than one item needs to be in the oven (at a different temperature) I freak out and I have no idea how to schedule or work it so that everything has time to cook and stay warm/fresh. I'm usually good with managing time but not good with managing when to cook certain items.

also- today i have people coming over and i wasn't prepared so now I'm frantically cleaning and cooking trying to get everything done!! I hate feeling unprepared. I am usually smooth sailing for dinner parties but I am not used to this rushed chaos!!

Re: Preparing to Entertain

I always try to prepare as much as possible in the days leading up. So I'll prep everything usually the night before and leave it in the fridge until I need to cook it. I also do all of my cleaning within the week before and then one last vacuum the night before.

I start pre-heating my oven 1 hour before guests are supposed to arrive (assuming nothing takes longer than a half hour to cook), and the apps go in the oven a half-hour before. Once apps go out, the other foods can go in the oven.

Also, I ALWAYS make a list of white I'm serving and in what order and hang it on the fridge. It helps make sure I don't forget anything

ETA: if I'm making something that takes longer to cook, I'll cook it through before hand and then put foil over it. Then I'll throw it back in the oven for a bit to warm up again before I serve it.

Message edited 9/29/2011 12:16:50 PM.

Re: Preparing to Entertain

I ususallly try to do A LOT of prep work in the days before.

Clean a few days before and just a little touch up in the AM, as soon as I wake up.

I'll chop all veggies & prepare the salad the night before and leave it in the fridge. If I'm making pasta with sauce, I'll cook the sauce the night before as well, and just let it cool and put the whole pot in the fridge. Or if I'm making chicken parm, I'll fry the cutlets the night before. things like that really ease the stress & keep my stove-top clear.

I try to coordinate what I'm making so not too many items need to go in the oven.

When I wake up, I get all the items to set the table out & ready to go- not at their places, but at one end of table.

I'll make sure I have enough ice, parm cheese or any conditments I need ready to go.

I have a small kitchen & it's open to the dining room, so I like to keep things looking neat & organized. and don't want my guests watching me spazz out.

Re: Preparing to Entertain

One trick I do is get all my platters, serving dishes, etc out on the table and post-it note what they will contain, which ensures I have everything I need and that everything has a place.

I clean and set the table in advance.

I do as much prep work and pre-cooking as possible and will have DH get ready while I'm getting things in the oven then he is on stove watch while I hop in the shower and get ready. If there is something that is easier to buy pre-made, I do that. If you are making all courses, buy dessert or just ask a guest to bring it. Make life easy when you can!

We had Christmas Eve dinner last year with both sets of our parents and it went off without a hitch!!

Re: Preparing to Entertain

Re: Preparing to Entertain

i do as much as i can the few days before hand like a lot of the prep work and cleaning.

i take out all my serving pieces, silverware, cups etc. i clear off my counters and "hide" all my stuff to serve dessert and coffee together in a cabinet.

the morning of i do last minute prep stuff and last minute cleaning.

i always make a list of everything i am serving so i don't forget stuff. (first time i had company i left a tray of baked ziti in my downstairs refrigerator)

Re: Preparing to Entertain