How to Host a Recipe Swap Party

A recipe swap party is a fun way for friends to get together and enjoy good food while getting new recipes. In a recipe swap, each guest brings a prepared dish with enough servings for twelve, along with copies of the recipe. Hosting a recipe swap party requires minor preparations and is a fun way of inviting friends into your home. Follow the advice below when hosting a recipe swap party and your guests will have a memorable event.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Index cards
• Plates
• Cups
• Utensils
• Napkins
• Extra serving spoons
• Drinks
• Stapler

1. Choose a theme for your recipe swap party. Pick something you desire more recipes for or can cook well. Some theme ideas are casseroles, breads, layered dishes, desserts, salads, Mexican, Italian, Greek, pies, soups, holiday favorites, chocolate and pasta.
2. Send out invitations at least three weeks in advance and require that guests RSVP a week before the party. Let them know the theme, that they should cook a dish big enough for at least 12 and how many recipe copies they should bring the day of the party.
3. Set up your dining room and extra eating areas with festive tablecloths and cute centerpieces. Choose where you want your guests dishes laid out, whether on a counter or on the main table. Set up an area for drinks and provide tea, water, juice, coffee or soda.
4. Collect all recipes as your guests walk in the door. Lay the recipes out away from the food so they don't get dirty. For a fancier feel, print out a title page with the theme and staple the recipes together so each guest has a book of themed recipes from your party.
5. Fold index cards in half and have your guests write down the name of their dish with their name below it. Place these next to each dish so guests know what they're eating and who made it.
6. Encourage discussion of the recipes by asking guests which dishes they prefer. Find out what other themes your friends would like and talk someone else into hosting a recipe swap party and make it a regular event amongst your friends.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan the time of your party according to the foods being brought. A late morning party is good for breakfast dishes and salads, while a mid-afternoon party is good for desserts and high carb foods.
• Party games aren't necessary for a recipe swap party, but if your friends are a fun, rowdy bunch you can always plan a few games.

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