TIPS FOR THROWING

A LARGE DINNER PARTY

PREPARING THE GUEST LIST

Things to consider when preparing your guest list:

• Occasion: The list of guests would differ depending on the reason for the party, like friends for birthdays, colleagues for celebrating a promotion, etc.

• Reciprocity: Consider people who have invited you to celebrate similar occasions.

• Mix: Choose people who have something in common (maybe even interests) and will get along.

• Budget: Set your budget and restrict your guest list accordingly.

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MAKE THE INVITATIONS

The invitations set the mood of your party. If it’s a formal event, the invitation should be clean and formal. If it’s a casual event, your invitation can be colorful and have pictures.

Remember to include the following:

• Essential information: Occasion you’re celebrating and the date, time and venue of the party.

• RSVP information: Mention your cellphone number and a date by when guest should confirm their presence.

• A map: Provide directions to the venue and mention a landmark close to the venue.

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DETERMINE THE SEATING ARRANGEMENT

If it’s a sit-down dinner party, here are the things to consider: • Personalities: Consider which of your guests would get

along and whose personalities will clash.• Interests: Put people together who have similar interests• Your position: You may want to position yourself in the

center to converse with everyone or steer conversations in the right direction or you may wish to sit closer to the kitchen in case you’re serving.

• Your partner’s position: You and your partner should be positioned separately.

• Talkative people: You may want to place the extroverts at the center, so that the conversation throughout the table remains lively.

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PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED

• Dietary Restrictions: Check with guests about any dietary restrictions and prepare the menu accordingly.

• Accept Help: Don’t try to do everything on your own. Make your closest friends responsible for taking care of some tasks. Get the food catered, if you’ve invited more than 10 people.

• Extra Guests: Prepare for a few extra guests. Some people may bring their partner along without informing you earlier, some may invite themselves or you may realize at the last minute that you’re missed inviting someone you’d like to be present at the party.

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DECIDING ON THE FINGER FOOD

• Finger food is important because some guests may come in hungry.

• Avoid making the finger food too heavy, or else guests will not have an appetite for dinner.

• Decide on the number of appetizers according to the people you’re inviting. For instance, if there are 10 to 20 guests, 4 to 5 different appetizers would suffice, while if the guest list is between 20 and 40, you may have 6-7 appetizer selections.

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KEEP IT SIMPLE

While you want your party to be remembered, making things too complex would leave you flustered:

• Drinks: Make your partner in-charge of the drinks. Avoid too many options, with too many ingredients.

• Food: If you’re cooking, prepare dishes you know well. If you’re not much into cooking, have the food catered.

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CHOOSING THE MENU

• Pick the cuisine you wish to serve your guests.

• Choose the main course and then build the other courses around it.

• Select dishes that you’ve tasted before.

• Balance the choice of dishes between rich and light foods, highly-flavored and simple or fresh foods.

• Have a choice of desserts. You could pick one that’s more unique and another that’s commonly loved.

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MAKE YOUR PARTY A SUCCESS

The most important factor that can make your party a success is YOU. Remember that:

• If you’re too exhausted from preparing for the party, you’re likely to be more irritable.

• If you’re eating, drinking, socializing and having fun, others will too.

• Keep yourself free enough to personally check on all your guests.

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ENJOY YOUR OWN PARTY!

Leave the Catering to Chef John DeatcherAward-Winning, Experienced, and Trained Culinary Expert

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CONTACT CHEF JOHN TO MAKE YOUR PARTY MEMORABLE

Visit: www.foodinis.comOr

Call: 732-775 FOOD (3663)