Hostessing Tips

Tip #1: Having guests over regularly is a great way to keep the house clean! Although you may not be bothered by a bit of dust on the mantel or some soap scum in the bathroom sink, if you’re like me, you want your home to be in excellent condition when guests arrive. If you have guests over once a week, you’ll probably clean at least that often, which means you’ll never fall behind in your chores!

Tip #2: Be sure to run your menu past your guests before you start your shopping. This way you are sure to avoid making a meal that is in conflict with a guest’s allergies, food preferences or lifestyle choice.

Tip #3: It’s likely that you’ll still be working in the kitchen when your guests arrive. Many hot foods need to be prepared immediately before serving, so it’s unavoidable. I have a trick that makes it easier for me to converse with our guests while making the final preparations: I get all the peeling, chopping, dicing, measuring, etc. out of the way BEFORE I begin the cooking (this technique is called ‘Mise-en-place’, French for ‘set in place’). This way, I won’t mix up a measurement for oregano and a measurement for cayenne pepper because I’m distracted by my conversation with my mom.

Tip #4: When planning a menu for guests, review all the ingredients carefully, and well in advance. If your recipe calls for any unusual ingredients, it may take some time to research, hunt for, order, or substitute ingredients. For example, my hanger steak (or skirt steak) has now taken three weeks of research, ordering, and waiting for my order to come in!

A simple table setting that welcomes your guests into your home and your kitchen

Tip #5: Set the table before you start preparing the meal. When your guests arrive, this will be a welcoming beacon that makes them feel special and appreciated. Setting the table before cooking will also allow you to keep your focus on the food and not feel scattered and overburdened with tasks.