Preparing A Feast
 
It's daunting for many people to even consider cooking for a large number of friends and family. How do you tackle what seems like such an enormous task? To some extent it is, but the only way to learn to cater for large groups is to practice and dive in head first. Besides, who will complain when you've offered to cook a meal for them? No one!
 
Do as chefs do and write your menu first. Decide the style of food you'll be serving. Different home-made finger foods are popular and very easy to prepare, store and serve. This gives you time to enjoy the event and with little mess to clean up afterwards.
 
Having a Barbeque is also a great way to entertain. Most of the preparation can be done beforehand which leaves cooking your meat and vegetable options on the Barbeque as the occasion starts. You shouldn't have any problem finding someone to help cook on the grill. Many people love to socialise around the grill as they find it fun and it takes less skill than other cooking methods, which means less (if anything) can go wrong. Gone is the daunting pressure of failure and you'll be more relaxed.
 
But sometimes we have to push ourselves to the limit in search of cooking glory (check out my recipe for paella or excerpts from my book Casual Chefhere on the web site). Chefs do it all the time; they put themselves under pressure to cook tricky new menu items. They have to push themselves or they have a tendency to feel as though they are not learning and developing their cooking skills. One never stops learning when it comes to cooking. There is always a new technique or cuisine to learn.
 
Home cooks should try to entertain with full glamour and finesse now and then. It's a great opportunity to show off your lovely china and silverware that you received at your engagement party, and to use the large dining table that doesn't always reach its full potential. As stated before on this web site, cooking glory comes at a price. It will take effort and commitment, but it will be well worth it. The commitment is in the form of daring to attempt to cook fine and exotic food that one seldom ventures into. Once you have committed to staging your feast for friends you are halfway there.
 
To make things easier for yourself, choose a menu that you are comfortable with but try to venture into new territory. A cold entree and a cold dessert will free up your time and you won't have to stay in the kitchen all evening; these two dishes might even be made the day before. When choosing your main course, study some recipes and try to picture yourself cooking and serving up the dish. Talk to family or friends at work and see what they think of your menu ideas.
 
Young apprentice chefs are asked by their mentors and head chefs early on in their cooking career to come up with some ideas for the next upcoming menu. The idea of this is to get them to self-educate by reading cooking magazines, cookbooks and asking questions. It amazes me when they come up with fantastic dishes, even though they are young and new to the trade. A little thought and study will make sure your dinner is a success.
 
Serving the main course can be simplified by choosing straightforward side dishes. The main component for the main course could be cooked and served in an oven dish, which will also make things easier for you.
 
Once you have your menu ready, study the recipes and make up your shopping list in the same way as explained in the piece called how to go grocery shopping here on the Casual Chef's web site.
 
On the day of your dinner, timing is very important, as it is for professional chefs. Try and work ahead so you don't worry that you are going to run out of time. As stated before, if you are going to serve an entree and a dessert, then try to make them the day before and choose something that is easy to serve, but still exciting and new to you.
 
The main course and side dishes should be organised and ready to the point where all you have to do is turn on the oven. If your preparation was thorough, then it'll turn out perfect. Turn on the stove top for steamed vegetables, sauces and starches as you sit down for the entree.
 
Again, an important phase in cooking a feast for friends is the time that is spent on studying your menu and the recipes you are going to use. Make sure you understand the cooking techniques that you are going to use (read a mention on recipes on this web site for more information on this topic). Always work ahead of time.
 
Remember to write a list before you do the shopping. Get enthusiastic about cooking, and learning new cooking skills. Last but not least, guests love nothing more than a home-cooked feast; it's one of the best gifts you can give to friends and one of the most personal.