Entertaining

Planning a party is an enormous undertaking with hundreds of details and elements that must come together to create the perfect event. However, the most important facet of any party is the menu....

Many football fans wait all season for the Super Bowl, whetehr their favorite team is playing in the big game or not. It's easy to invite all of your friends over to watch your tv, but if you want...

Many different types of smokers are available on the market and it can be difficult to know which smoker is right for you and your individual needs. Which smoker you choose depends on whether you...

We all want to enjoy holidays, not be overwhelmed by them. If you have a lot of people about to descend on you, don’t panic. You don’t even have to lose any sleep. Just do a little planning...

When you are throwing a party, one of the many aspects that you have to plan out is the food. You can either plan a sit-down dinner, where everyone sits at the table at the same time to enjoy a...

Slow cookers make it possible for families to enjoy home-cooked meals, even when family members spend their days at work, school or play. But slow cookers (AKA "crock-pots") can also be used to...

Gel fuel is a mixture of denatured alcohol, water and gel. Several commercial products are available, and they are relatively inexpensive. The cans are easy to open and light quickly, emitting a...

It's Friday night. You fumble around in your wallet or purse to see what you have for cash. You come up with two dollar bills, fifty-six cents, a button, your cell phone and a breath mint. Hmmmmm,...

In this simple, fun and educational experiment we will demonstrate 2 things. First, we will see surface tension when we place the food coloring on the milk. Since the milk is thicker than the...


Planning a party is an exciting and often daunting experience. A host's nightmare is the thought of running out of food or drinks during the festivities. But no one likes the idea of...

It looks glamorous: Men and women in white chefs' uniforms gliding effortlessly from kitchen to buffet table replenishing delicacies as they're gobbled up by hungry celebrants. As the caterer, you...

The key to feeding large groups is simplicity. Simple recipes are the easiest to make in large batches, and will please everyone at the event. Planning ahead will go a long way when you're serving...

Holiday season is fast approaching and we can use some help with making our get togethers successful. Save yourself the stress of the day by preparing well in advance. If any of you have ever not...

Eating at restaurants and fast food establishments can be one of the least environmentally conscious activities of a person's day. Take out and fast food are clearly the worst offenders with their...

Giving a gift of food is an enjoyable, cost-effective way to share your favorite recipes, help someone or say "I miss you" or "Thanks." Many people welcome already-prepared or easy-to-prepare food...

Planning meals every day of the 365-day year, sometimes for more than one meal a day, can be mind-boggling for mothers, chefs and caterers. The art of menu planning can be a lifesaver and a...

A banquet manager troubleshoots logistics---from pre-planning events all the way through to their completion. He'll make sure tablecloths are clean, spot-free and uniform in the way they drape. He...

As a general rule of thumb, you should prepare one pound of food per person for snacks, and one and a half pounds of food per person for the entrée. Of course, you know your dinner crowd...

Restaurants are considered to be "high-risk investments" by banks because so many open and close each year. To own a successful restaurant you need to have knowledge of food and service, but you...

Setting the proper mood is a key to any event, whether it's just you and your partner or a dinner party. Follow these steps to engage all the senses and have everyone enjoying themselves.

You don’t need to stop eating out in order to remain fit. You just need to pay attention to the things you eat and you will not be in danger of gaining weight. Here is some useful information...

Having the proper equipment for your catering business will benefit your bottom line, increase productivity and allow for safe and efficient preparation and presentation at your events. While...

Food decorations enhance meal presentations. Although some food decorations are elaborate, many food decorations can be made with minimal effort.

The presentation of food on the banquet table is nearly as important as the menu. A well-laid table showcases appetizers, sides, main courses and desserts while also being accessible to the...

You can save lots of money by catering your own event and you can also bask in the glow of respect and admiration of your guests when they find out you did it yourself! Calling a caterer can be an...

Arranging the food order for a banquet table can be the difference between an orderly service and a jumble of choices for your guests. Laying the meal out in an organized fashion can help guests...

Creating trays full of food requires thought and planning. It's important to organize the different foods well and make sure your guests can tell what they are. There are many ways to do this,...

Creating the meal for a catered event takes planning and coordination. Getting the food to the venue in the same shape it left the kitchen needs to be part of the organization as well. Hot foods...

Bunco is a dice game that has grown in popularity over the last several years since the game's re-release in 2005. Once a favorite of gamblers in America's West, Bunco is now a family-friendly...

So, you want to host a party? Great! You can be the perfect host or hostess with just a little bit of pre-planning. The first thing to decide is if it will be a casual or formal party. Next,...

Proper food etiquette is timeless. Whether out at a pizza joint or at the finest restaurant in town, it is important to remember the rules and be on your best behavior. Good manners are like good...

There are some foods that simply make a party a party. Knowing what to serve and how much of it to serve will please your guests and cut down on leftovers. Party food should be tasty as well as...

Catering and planning for your own events can save you a lot of money. It can also be a big, terrific headache. If you've never catered an event before make sure you give yourself a lot of time...

Planning a big event requires organization and attention to details. A big event can be for a personal family reason or a business or company event. Hiring an event caterer must be on the top of...

At one time or another, most people have had the displeasure of experiencing a "rubber" chicken dinner. Far too often, catered banquets, events and celebrations feature bland dishes with next to...

Quite a common activity among youngsters in this new era is the 'potluck' party. This party is easy to organise, requires less money and helps to tighten the bond between friends and family...

When I think of summer, I think of enjoying the outdoors with friends and food. I don't know if that's just me but if you haven't had the chance to pack up a basket full of food and a car full of...

A baby shower requires a lot of planning, from the menu to the invites to the gifts. In addition to planning these activities, you need to determine when you will do each of them, which can be a...

When you're throwing a party, you'll most likely find yourself wearing several hats. You'll be the greeter, tour guide, coat check and possibly chef, too. Ease your burden by coming up with some...

Food is often an integral part of parties and gatherings. Centering the event around a meal gives guests a common activity to engage in. Even a brief, informal gathering is considered incomplete...

The success of a party often hinges on the food served. If the food is interesting and delicious and the guests are well-fed, then most party-goers will return home with favorable memories. One...

Serving food "help yourself style" is by far the most popular form of food and beverage service for today's entertaining. Buffet style service is a boon to events ranging from kickback casual to...

A chafing dish is used to keep food warm in a buffet line. These are frequently used by caterers, since they are portable, can quickly be set up and require little attention aside from occasional...

Picnics are a wonderful way to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. Picnics are also a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors. Turn lunch into an adventure with these simple picnic...

Sometimes the occasion for a party comes up at the last minute. Here are some useful tips on planning a party in a week.

Painting snow can be a fun winter bonding experience for the family. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the fun things that you can do with painted snow! Painting snow is an...

Entertaining can be fun for both the guests and the hostess. There are some simply things that can be done to make your party jump off without a hitch.

Everyone loves attending parties and various events, but it takes organization, planning and a graceful personality to host. Many people only throw together events at the last moment or put very...

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own food-selling business? You can accomplish your goal by setting up a food vendor cart or table outdoors or at indoor special events. This way you will...

Theme your dinner with a one colored food night. Orange is a wonderful color for a summer meal or birthday party. Consider it for any occasion or just for fun. It's a great color to use in the...