How to Plan a Bicultural Dinner

Hosting and entertaining are joyous activities for many people. Honoring the culture of your dinner guests is respectful. But what happens when your all-American heritage meets the Latin roots of your husband and his parents? What do you serve then? Of course, you always retain the right to serve your own favorite dishes. However, highlighting the culture of your guests can score you points. It can also be fun!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Three Weeks Prior to the Event

1. Plan your guest list. Limit your list to two major cultural representations. For example, don’t invite your Latin in-laws, Chinese neighbors and your best friend of Norwegian descent. For your first bicultural dinner, you might stick to inviting only one single person or couple (of a different cultural descent).

2. Call your guests and invite them to dinner. Make sure to provide directions to your home. Ask if they have any food allergies. If you plan a more formal dinner, secure and mail them invitations now.

3. Research the cultural heritage of your guests. For example, if you plan to invite your in-laws who are from Cuba, research Cuban culture. You can complete research on the Internet or the library. Look for favorite cultural dishes, traditions and toasts.

4. Select two favorite cultural dishes from your guests’ heritage. Write them down on a piece of paper. If you were able to locate any other traditions, such as customary meal times, write that information down as well.

One Week Prior to the Event

5. Look up recipes for the two dishes (for your guests) that you found.

6. Also, select two of your own favorite recipes from your heritage. Look up those recipes as well.

7. Write down your dinner menu and grocery list. You will be serving four dishes, two from each culture. Therefore, you may want to half each recipe, depending on the number of guests who plan to attend your party.

The Night Before Dinner

8. Purchase the items on your grocery list. Be sure to think of any last minute extras that you may need from the grocery store as well (beer, wine, napkins, etc.)

9. Plan a toast for the following night. It does not need to be lengthy. In your toast, thank your guests for joining you in a dinner that celebrates the beauty and richness of cultural diversity.

10. Practice your toast at least two times before going to bed.

The Day of Dinner

11. Cook all recipes, per recipe instructions. Now is not the time to “tweak” any recipes or get creative. Just follow the recipes. If you are serving appetizers, plan to have those ready by the time your guests arrive.

12. Organize the cooking time so that all dishes come out at the same time. This will prevent anything from getting cold.

13. Serve and enjoy dinner! Don’t forget to give your toast. Don’t be surprised when your guests thank you for being considerate of their cultural heritage. Your dinner will be a memorable event for years to come.