how to be the best host[ess] you possibly can

As many of my friends know, I love to cook. I especially love to cook for other people. It's more enjoyable to see people enjoying what I spend my time (and money) preparing, and it's also nice to get compliments when people like your food. When I was younger, I had terrible anxiety about eating over other people's houses because I was such a picky eater. I always keep that in mind when I prepare dinners for my friends and family. Here are some important things to remember when hosting dinner parties.

1. Know who you're feeding.
You're not going to make bacon and eggs for Hasidic Jews. Take into consideration various diet choices and preferences when selecting a meal to prepare. There's nothing more disappointing than to go for dinner and not be able to eat what has been cooked for you. Many people are vegetarians, vegans, and just don't like certain foods. It's a good idea to tell people what you're making, and even be open to modifying your meal to accommodate everyone.

2. Make enough food.
I know that we live in an overindulgent society, but if you're inviting people over for dinner they shouldn't still be hungry when the meal is done. There should be enough food for people to have seconds (if they so desire, that's their prerogative).

3. Cover the various food groups. (or as many as possible)
Just because you don't like vegetables, does not mean other people don't like them either. An easy way to cover this is by preparing a salad of some sort, which happens to be quick AND easy. It is not acceptable to only serve a main dish sans vegetables or starches (rice/potatoes/etc.). A good idea is to reference the food pyramid as a sort of check list.

4. Timing is vital.
If people are coming over at 6, they should not be waiting to eat at 9. Dinner should be nearly finished when guests arrive. I'd say an appropriate wait time is 30 minutes. While they are waiting and you are finishing dinner, there should be drinks or some other entertainment to keep them distracted and out of your kitchen. If you're inviting people over, they are your guests and are not to be employed for kitchen assistance.

5. Set the table.
Have the table already set, so that everyone can sit down and eat when the food is ready. If you will be dining buffet style, make sure you have enough serving dishes and serving spoons.

6. There will be thirst to be quenched.
People get thirsty when they eat. Have soda, beer, or iced tea on hand. Just because you don't drink certain beverages, doesn't mean your guests won't want them. Depending on the event, it's usually okay to denote the evening as B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Beverage/Beer), but they should know ahead of time. If you have a themed dinner, it is extra nice to have a specific beverage that compliments the meal.

7. Desert?
You don't have to prepare an elaborate desert. Ice cream or sherbet is usually enough to please the masses. Especially if you just prepared an elaborate dinner. If you want to bake a cake or a pie, it's a good idea to have it baking while dinner is being eaten. That way it will be ready when people have finished eating, and it will be fresh and warm. Coffee and tea is also a good idea.

8. Volunteers are welcome.
Unless they offer help, a good hostess will not as for help cleaning up. You can do that when the guests leave. If they offer, you can accept, but you should insist that they don't. You made your mess, and you'll clean it too. It's a good idea to clean as you cook. It is unacceptable to have a sink overflowing with dishes because someone will feel compelled to offer help. Never guilt your guests.

*9. Pot-luck (most of the above rules do not apply to this)
When planning a pot-luck dinner, make a list of what people are bringing. A good dinner doesn't consist of 5 different kinds of dinner rolls. It's okay to ask someone to make something different so as to vary the dishes.

10. Enjoy yourself.
It is not a good idea to bite off more than you can chew. Don't plan a dinner party for 15 if it is going to stress you out. It's okay if you're dinner party is small. If you stress throughout the entire preparation, it won't taste as good and you won't enjoy it as much.


If you follow my rules, you will avoid having unhappy or dissatisfied guests, unless your cooking sucks. Don't invite people over for dinner if you can't cook.