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Hosting a party for the first time will always be a learning experience. House parties can be particularly tricky to plan because you will be the one handling practically every aspect of the occasion; they can also come with big expectations (usually self-imposed). It will take a lot of hard work, definitely, but it doesn't have to be disastrous. Indeed, things should go swimmingly if you do your food prep right. Here are some tips you can follow:

Photo by cottonbro studio

1. Decide on a Menu

One of the first things you have to do when hosting a party is decide on a menu. If you’re flying solo, you have unilateral decision-making, so go for it. Your best bet is to combine dishes you can prepare ahead of time, like a roast and potato salad, with eat-immediately fare like steaks or carbonara.

It would also be a good idea to find out if any of your guests have special food needs, like those with allergies or diabetes. Some people don't eat meat, while others don't eat carbs. Send a message to your guests to ask them about their dietary restrictions before you prepare a menu and buy ingredients. While you might not be able to develop a full menu to please everyone, you can make it representative so everyone feels satisfied.

Also, because this part of your food prep will take time, try to do it at least a week before the event so you have ample time to make changes.

2. Write Down Everything You Need

When you’re cooking for a large group, you can make your grocery list and shop in waves to make things a little easier. Get canned food, frozen and hardy vegetables (like potatoes), and disposables like napkins as soon as possible so they're out of the way. Then, purchase most frozen meat a day or two before to thaw them comfortably in the refrigerator. Note that large turkeys and slabs of meat take a few days to thaw completely, so plan accordingly.

Fruits and vegetables will do well in the crisper for a couple of days, while some fish you will find in the supermarket have been flash-frozen so they’re not good candidates for re-freezing. If you plan anything like a steamed lapu-lapu for the day, order it ahead from your favorite fish vendor and pick it up on the day itself.

If you have any hard-to-find ingredients on your list, go to a grocery store that specializes in them, like Fuji Mart or Landers. The latter is a membership shopping place, which will give you more perks and exclusive benefits if you apply for a Landers credit card.

3. Practice Difficult Dishes

If it’s your first time to attempt a certain dish, you might have to do a practice run. For instance, if you want to make beef Wellington a la Gordon Ramsay as the centerpiece, make it for your family first a few days before. That will help you iron out any kinks in the process and give an idea of how much work actually goes into it. Remember, you are preparing several dishes, so you must get your timing right. If a dish turns out to be too difficult to prepare, then at least you have time to switch to something else.

Also, don’t assume everything will be fine just because there’s a recipe you can follow. Many people don’t have the skills of seasoned chefs, so you really need to do a trial run for any specialized type of cooking.  If you need any special butchering needs like deboning a whole chicken for a galantine, be sure you secure the service in advance.

4.  Organize Your Ingredients

Put together the ingredients you need for each dish so you don’t go back and forth from the fridge or pantry to your counters and stove, then back again, on the day of the party. Organizing them also ensures you haven't forgotten anything or bought enough of everything. For example, many dishes require onions, garlic, and potatoes. You don't want to end up skimping on anything because you didn't buy enough for all the dishes that needed them.

5. Make Room in Your Fridge

Before buying your perishables, marinating meat, or prepping ingredients, make sure you have room to keep them cold and fresh. Once you cut into a potato or slice an onion, it will start to go bad almost immediately. You must arrest any oxidation by keeping them in airtight containers and cold environments. The same goes for thawing and fresh meat, including anything you’re marinating or brining.

Clear out your refrigerator and freezer to make room for food and ingredients until it’s time to use them. Get clear, stackable containers or food-grade resealable plastic bags to make organization simpler.

6. Start Cutting Ingredients Ahead of Time

Most of the time in a kitchen is spent prepping the ingredients, usually cutting vegetables and aromatics, boiling various components, or soaking them in some medium. Do all of these steps a day or two before the day and seal them in resealable bags or airtight plastic containers. When you’re ready to put them together, you will have an efficient assembly line.

7. Get Help

If you’re hosting a house party for family and close friends, it is perfectly okay to ask for help. Recruit two or three people who know their way around the kitchen to come in early for a meal prep party. Make it a pleasant experience by providing plenty of snacks; it can even be a good time for catching up. To keep things organized, give each person clear assignments. You can still do the main cooking, but having someone watch over the gravy, plating, or setting the table will take a load off your shoulders.

Preparation is Key

Like in most situations, the success of hosting a party in your home for the first time depends on how ready you are for the challenge. These practical tips can help you brush through it fairly well and leave you with enough energy to actually enjoy the event.