Should the main course meal already be completed so you have time to socalize (keeping warm in the oven)? Or do you leave your guests to finish off the main meal? What is the best way?
2007-03-07 05:01:41 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Entertaining
It depends on what you are cooking think of this before choosing the main course. If you are alone then having everything ready and warming is a good way if you have some one to occupy the guests while you finish and plate the main meal, that usually works well too, good luck.
2007-03-07 05:05:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how much time you have and what the purpose of the evening, if you are introducing new couples into the mix then appetizers should take awhile and the food left in the oven cooking, if it a week night and everyone is coming after 7 normally the appetizers are kept small and you go to the meal much faster this all depends on if your guests are single or have children, you should know how much time your guests are willing to spend with you and be conscious about it.
on week night when we do get together with close friends to play games we normally just have appetizer night and for the week end have it be a sit down time to recap and talk about the week as well as life plans goals ect.
hope this helps
2007-03-07 13:15:21 · answer #2 · answered by Blessed Rain 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is always nice to have the meal completely done when people get there... however it is not bad etiquette if it is not done. You would rather serve fresh food that tastes good, then dried out food from sitting in the oven. When I have dinner parties, I always make sure I make what I can before hand, and then bring my guests into the kitchen while I am finishing, so we can still talk and they can watch and see what they are eating too. Sometimes they even like to help, to be involved.
2007-03-07 13:49:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is a potluck then folks can join you in the kitchen while you finish the main dish. Actually, the kitchen can be the "main room" where your friends gather to visit while the feast is being prepared. If its a hosted sit down dinner, then you'll want to have just about everything completed by the time they get there so that the time you have away from your guests is minimal.
2007-03-07 13:21:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its always appropriate for the host to be with their guests. So, the main course should absolutely be done before guests arrive. Just heat and serve.
When in doubt, dont prepare meals that require immediate eating after cooking.
2007-03-07 21:05:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are entertaining alone (ie without a partner), then I would allways suggest devising a menu whch requires as little as possible in the way of last minute cooking. That way, you are reasonably free to talk with your dinner guests and serve them drinks and appetizers.
You will find some excellent menu suggestions specifically designed with this in mind here:
http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com/
Wherever possible though, it is allways preferable to host a dinner party with a partner or friend. That way, one person can entertain the guests while the other completes the cooking.
2007-03-07 13:22:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that whenever I have a party I usually make sure that all the food that I am serving is well prepared and warming nicely so as I can socialise with my guests as much as possible. Remember that the food your serving is good simple and easy to serve, anything from Jamie's meals in minutes is good place to start - have a good party.
2007-03-07 13:10:48 · answer #7 · answered by kissaled 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would have most of the meal complete, with maybe only a few very fast, simple things to prepare to finish it off.
2007-03-07 13:05:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2007-03-07 13:13:21 · answer #9 · answered by jack russell girl 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋