by Marsha Clinton, Guest Blogger for Great GetTogethers
Just in time for Super Bowl parties, Marsha Clinton reveals her Top Twelve Tips for hosting large get-togethers. Cooking for a crowd is nothing new to Marsha, who routinely entertains family and friends at her home (65 guests for Christmas dinner!).
Here’s what I consider my top twelve tips for serving a crowd. A typical Clinton gathering (birthday party, bridal shower) is 20 people and then Christmas morphs into something much larger. I’m not a fan of big-box-store prepared foods since I enjoy cooking, and want it to taste good not store bought.
1. Choose a Theme–Plan your menu carefully. I choose a theme or food style, whether it’s Southern, Cajun, TexMex, Italian, etc. It helps keep the menu cohesive, and you often use similar ingredients throughout the dishes.
2. Menu–Make sure a large portion of your menu can be prepared beforehand. You don’t want to miss your own party because you are stuck in the kitchen. Plus large quantities take more time to prepare so you cannot get it all done right before serving. I have two extra refrigerators plus an extra freezer where I can keep food. For Christmas, my porch is a good spot to keep things cool if it’s cold out. You can also ask your neighbors for refrigerator space if they are good friends.
3. Serving Dishes–I have a stash of large white platters and bowls. They can serve anything and they don’t clash with any of the other serving plates you may use.
4. Serving Utensils–I have collected large spoons and spatulas which are key to serving that large bowl of pasta, salad, or beans.
5. Plates–I have a lot of china which I use, but if it’s a summer gathering or a kids’ event, then I use paper plates. Pottery Barn has a great catering set of plates that I have on hand, plus I bought some plates at a restaurant supply store. You can get extra flatware at Target.
6. Chafing Dishes–Make the investment and buy heated serving trays. I have two large steam trays that are invaluable. The wire kind are cheaper but don’t hold as much and don’t last.
7. Buffet Style–Serve buffet style but plan out the format. I use the island in my kitchen for serving the buffet. I lay out the empty serving pieces ahead of time so that I have the right utensils and spacing. It also helps if I make a list so that I don’t accidentally leave a dish in the fridge and forget to serve it to my guests.
8. Drinks and Appetizers–Set them up outside the kitchen. You can’t serve a large group if everyone is in the kitchen at the same time.
9. Sit-Down Dining For a Crowd–I set up some long folding tables and chairs, in addition to my kitchen and dining room tables. With a large group, they won’t all need to sit at the same time since the kids go through and finish quickly, and there are always adults who talk a while before they get around to eating. If it’s a lap-tray affair, I just make sure my menu doesn’t require cutting.
10. Shopping List–I use a grocery shopping app called Grocery IQ that’s a life saver. This way I combine all the items from the various recipes, and I’m not stuck running to the store at the last minute.
11. Don’t Forget–Stock up on cleaning supplies–paper towels, dish soap, garbage bags, aluminum foil, etc. Remember to empty your dishwasher ahead of time. Set up designated receptacles for trash and recyclables.
12. Have Fun! Enjoy the crowd. Enjoy the energy. Have a glass of wine.
If you need a good cookbook, I recommend Perfect Party Food by Diane Phillips because she always includes a do-ahead tip and the recipes have been great.
Marsha Clinton lives in Northern Virginia, where she enjoys taking care of her husband and four children, raising seeing eye dogs, and, of course, cooking and socializing. Thanks for sharing your expertise, Marsha.
Manage any event large or small with Great GetTogethers and Small GetTogethers, party planning notebooks that guide you effortless through each stage with easy-to-follow checklists and reminders.