Host like a Pro
Cooking it's not an art it's an emotion
"Cooking! It's not an art, it's an emotion"
Living in a country like India, which is well known for its flavours (Zaika India ka) and essence of love which people depict from there cooking skills, hosting a dinner may seem like a rocket science, but hosting a dinner all alone is not really that big a task as it might seem to be.
Here are some party tricks that you can add to your repertoire immediately!
STAY CALM
Don't get worked up, take a deep breath and relax. Prepare the things a day before to save your time and energy. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
PRE-Preparations
Prepare a list of guests and things to-do, to calculate the right amount of food for party, so that the food is not wasted.
To begin with chop the vegetables in advance. If you are going for some frozen dish, freeze it before so that the guests don't have to wait for long. Make dessert a day prior.
Make individual appetizers according to the season.
Hot drinks and juices can go for winters while chilled mocktails and coolers can go for summers. Individual drinks are easy to grab and the guests don't feel shy.
Add Magic
Plan main course keeping in mind that your food should satisfy your guests. Prepare the dishes in such a way that it would be suitable to everyone, liked by children, adults and people with health differences.
Keep dishes ready before guests arrive so that you are not stuck in the kitchen all the time.
Avoid experiments with new recipes because you don't know how the taste of the dish will turn out.
Garnishing dish is very important but the cherry on the cake would be a nicely laid table. Choose cloth napkins as paper napkins are normally used for takeaways orders.
Use table décor element up to occasion of the party.
Pep up the Party Venue keeping in mind décor, space and comfort. Also, make sure that your house smells good and is lit up properly to create a refreshing atmosphere.
Choose soothing music, so that all can enjoy.
Divide your attention that not even a single guest feels ignored.
Remember to express your gratitude towards all who become part of your party.
Mehak Arora XII-C
Cambridge International School for Girls
2019
