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Nothing is more nerve-wracking than preparing a meal for guests. These can be friends, family, or colleagues. When going into that kitchen, you are putting your reputation at stake. Those instant cup noodles and hot coffee won’t do. For this reason, you must put your best foot forward. If you have never hosted people before or having trouble figuring where to start, do not panic. This piece will guide you on how to prepare food and beverages that will leave your guest salivating.
Let’s count together some tips on how to prepare the perfect food and beverages for your guests.
1. Make a Grocery List
If you want to prepare good food, you want to have a detailed list of all the requirements needed for what you will be serving. This prevents you from making the last-minute store dash when you should be cooking. Also, it prevents the disaster of having a cheap and simple ingredient spoil the entire dinner experience just because it lacked or wasn’t enough. To do this, check out the recipe for the food or cocktail you want to prepare. Also, ensure your list is not limited to one option since some ingredients may not be available. When you have everything required within reach, it is easier to make a good meal.
2. Plan for Cocktails
When it comes to meals, wine is the safe option to go with. However, your guests can have various preferences, from beer to whisky and margaritas, making it a buzzkill for you. Do not let the choice of drinks stress you. Remember, you also don’t want to break your savings account just to offer various drinks. In this case, signature cocktails can provide a great solution. As many people have learned from Mybartender.com, there are numerous ways to combine alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages to create a spectacular drink that your guests will love. This minimizes the volume of drinks you would have to buy while ensuring that your guests get refreshments they will consider as special treats.
You just need to know who loves what and ensure you get recipes from experts so you don’t just mix things up for the sake of it. Besides, most guests prefer to show up with wine or drinks of their choice as gifts. You can serve these because 90 percent of the time, these are their favorites.
3. Pick All-round Meals
When having people over, most individuals prepare the meal they have mastered. This is a great move. However, this can be a disaster when your guests don’t fancy it, for instance, If you are a vegetarian, do not assume all your guests are. Therefore pick meals that are a compromise for everyone. This will make each guest feel at home.
However, this does not mean you spend the entire time on the stove. Also, avoid using condiments that most people are allergic to in every dish. It would be great to know beforehand if any guest is allergic to something. With this information, you can prepare well.
4. Soup
This is one signature meal that sets the tone. Do not let this scare you. Preparing for it should be fun. Pick a flavor you love and work your magic. Use fresh products for more mouth-watering flavor. The good thing is that soup can be enjoyed by everybody.
The secret to making everyone happy with this dish is toppings. Have toppings ranging from colorful, creamy, spicy, or anything that makes soup delicious. Also, garnishes and sauces should be at the table. With these, everyone can recreate the soup to their liking, hence praises from around the table.
5. Water and Salad
These may seem obvious but they are crucial for any good time. A glass of water is what most guests take when settling in. Have a source with plenty of clean water in the dining area. If possible, get ice so that the guests can have their water at the right temperature. When it comes to salads, whether served as a first course or side dish, make it count. When serving salads, think about a combination that pairs well with the meals you are serving.
If you are unaware of your guest preferences you can prepare a fruit-laden type. For salads, remember if they sit for too long, they can become soggy. Therefore, presentation and timing are vital.
6. Mise-en-Place
Cooking drool-worthy food is not just enough preparation. You should ensure that everything is in place before the guests arrive. All the cutlery and glassware should be placed accordingly. The shakers and other seasoning containers should also be strategically placed. Sideboard with extra plates, cutlery, napkins, and all other essentials should be within the room. This is to avoid the awkwardness of guests waiting for an item for minutes on end.
When preparing food and beverages for guests, preparations laced with considerations for flavor, allergies, and presentation are key. When all is done, remember the mise–en–scene aspect. Let your guest savor every food in an ambiance environment. Preparation can turn an amateur into a skilled chef, the vice versa is also true.