How to Host a Cooking Party

If getting together with your friends has become somewhat of a boring tradition, try hosting a cooking party to spice things up. Plan a menu that's simple and tasty that everyone can help prepare. Keep the mood light by serving plenty of appetizers and cocktails to the cooks. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Invitations
• Menu
• Pantry items
• Ingredients
• Appetizers and drinks
• Dinnerware

Advance Party Planning

1. Decide on a date, time and location for your cooking party. If your party isn't going to be in your own home, check out the location ahead of time to make sure there's adequate room in the kitchen for all your guests.
2. Figure out a menu for the cooking party. Depending on the number of guests, a good starter would be a main dish, side dish and dessert. If you have a large guest list, you could add some appetizers and other complimentary dishes or even drinks.
3. Make a list of all ingredients needed to prepare the menu. Make sure you adjust the recipes so that you'll have enough food for all guests. Split the ingredients lists up between guests before sending out invitations.
4. Send invitations via email or snail mail to all the guests you want to invite. If you are having a bring your ingredients party, make sure you include the ingredient each guest is responsible for bringing to the party.
5. Shop for the ingredients and all pantry items the day before the event. Select plates, eating utensils, napkins and cups. Use cloth, china and silverware or paper products based on the budget.
6. Divide the kitchen into separate working areas, and make a plan so you know which guests you'll have working on which dishes and who will need to work where.

Day of the Event

7. Clear clutter from counter tops before the party, and if you have an attached dining room available use it as a prep work area for some of the guests by putting down butcher block cutting boards and setting up some a cutting area or staging area.
8. Prepare appetizers and a drink bar ahead of time if you won't be having any made at the party. Guests will be more likely to mingle and get with the cooking flow if they are eating and drinking.
9. Instead of serving the meal on paper or plastic, find inexpensive dinnerware at a local restaurant supply or discount store. Borrow flatware, china and cloth napkins if the cost conflicts with your budget.
10. Prizes can be given out for fun things like "Guest with a Cooking Injury," "First Guest to Drop Something on the Floor," or "Best Dressed in the Kitchen."
11. Split up dirty dish detail between guests so you won't have so much to do after the party.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to keep any large meat products and all spices or pantry items on your ingredient list so guests aren't responsible for these items.
• If you don't want to split up ingredients for all guests to bring, just put an amount that will be charged on the invitations so guests know ahead of time.
• No matter how much you plan, guests may be unwilling to do certain tasks so you may need to rearrange your plan. Go with the flow and find volunteers to switch spots.
• When hosting a bring-your-ingredient party, make sure all guests R.S.V.P. by phone or email, and plan to bring extra ingredients for those who don't come. Any last minute cancellations can leave you running to the market, so be prepared for a quick trip just in case.

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