How to Get Mail-Order Party Food

Do you love to host parties but hate to cook? If you’ve dreamed of serving your guests a spread of specially selected delicacies without taking a grueling course in culinary arts or hiring a budget-breaking caterer, you can. Nearly any party food you desire can arrive on your doorstep, thanks to food-friendly packaging and overnight delivery.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Get an accurate count of the number of guests. As with a catered event, you can’t afford for your lazy friends to decide if they’re in the mood at the last minute.

2. Plan your courses. Appetizers, main courses and desserts are available by mail-order. Do you want some or all of the above?

3. Set some parameters for food type. You can be casual, festive or formal and choose foods that match these moods. Or you can break the mold and serve honey mustard gourmet popcorn at your black-tie soirée--it’s your party. Or consider a regional menu. You can have regional specialties shipped directly from Alaska, Maryland, New York or New Orleans.

4. Go online to find companies that specialize in mail order party foods. Look up tips to the best in online reviews, blogs and gourmet magazines, and have fun comparing menus. Don’t forget to compare prices too. Some companies are better for larger events and some for smaller ones.

5. Ask questions of your chosen company. Is the food pre-cooked, for minimal preparation on your end? Does it come with specific directions? Make sure the food will be delivered as quickly as possible, preferably overnight, and that perishable items are packed in foam or heavy cardboard with a cold source like frozen gel packs or dry ice.

6. Open the food immediately when it arrives and check its temperature with a food thermometer. Even if a product is smoked, cured or fully cooked, it still is perishable and should be cold. If anything perishable arrives at a temperature above 40 degrees F, notify the company and do not eat or even taste it.

7. Put the food in your refrigerator until it’s time for stress-free party-food preparation. Then enjoy yourself with your guests!

Tips & Warnings

• Generally stay away from food marketed as gift items. You’ll pay extra for packaging and presentation that you don’t need.
• Take the warning about not eating warm perishables seriously. You can’t see or taste most food borne illness, but it can be dangerous.

[aeb4]

on 3/3/2009 Step #4 "Go online to find companies that specialize in mail order party foods." I suggest the new upscale website http://www.foodsoftheweb.com - there are over 400 Merchants