Do you want to host a dinner party for your friends and family but are a beginner in cooking? Don’t worry, you are not alone.
Who doesn’t want to host a nice dinner for their loved ones? After all, dinner parties are a great way to stay connected and create memories over food and drinks. Unfortunately, not all of us have the time or skills to host a party. If you are a beginner in cooking, you can take some short cooking classes to perfect your skills. On the other hand, if you are confident about your cooking skills, the following tips will help you perfect those skills and present a delicious meal to your guests.
1. Decide on the Menu
Your guests may not remember the colour of your dinnerware, but they will surely talk about the food you served at your dinner party. This is why deciding your menu should be your first priority.
You could opt for a traditional three-course meal with an appetiser, entrée and dessert, or you could go for a buffet with no rules. A three-course meal is the best option for hosting a formal dinner. But if it is a close friends and family get-together, a buffet with no rules will surely be a hit.
2. Perfect the Dishes Before Serving
You don’t want to serve your guests something you would not enjoy eating. Therefore, to perfect the dishes, you must join a cooking class from professionals such as Le Cordon Bleu to enhance your culinary skills. You can join these classes even if you are a beginner because they teach you every aspect of cooking from scratch. From the flavour combinations that go well together to the basic techniques and presentation methods, these hands-on experiences help perfect your dishes, even if you are a newbie. In these classes, you will also learn about time management, ensuring a seamless dining experience for your guests.
3. Meal Prep in Advance
Don’t wait until the last minute to meal prep for your party. You can begin your meal prep a few days before the main day. If you plan to serve a fruit or vegetable salad, you can cut them a few hours in advance and store them in the fridge. You could also make the dressing for the salad and store it in air-tight containers inside the fridge.
Moreover, if you plan to serve desserts such as cheesecakes, pies and custards, you can make them a day or two prior to the party and store them in the freezer.
4. Go Seasonal with Your Dishes
Using seasonal fruits and vegetables as much as possible is best for your guests and your wallet. For instance, you can cook a fresh tomato-based soup if you are hosting a party during summer or a hearty winter squash soup during winter. This way, you will find fresh produce at a much cheaper rate and get full marks for staying in tune with the freshest ingredients.
Conclusion
Hosting a dinner party can initially be intimidating, but it is surely satisfying when your guests leave with a smile. Even if you are a beginner in cooking, you can cook memorable meals for your guests with little guidance. You can join a cooking class a few months in advance to brush up on your skills, learn new techniques and flavour combinations, and watch your guests enjoy every bite of the dishes you prepare.
