How to Cook for Lots of People

Cooking for large groups – tips and tricks

The holidays have arrived. Time to feed friends and family. Lots of them. The notion can be intimidating even for the most seasoned cook. It took me a while to get used to feeding 15,000 people. A day.

Don’t freak out. I’ve got you covered. What follows are brief, calm-inducing tips to help you and yours navigate this holiday season.

1. Know who you’re feeding.

Does your aunt Kate have an allergy to nuts? Does your nephew Tom have a severe aversion to little marshmallows on his sweet potatoes? Don’t hesitate to ask your guests these questions. Nothing is more frustrating than spending hours in the kitchen madly cooking up dishes your guests won’t enjoy.

2. Get started early.

Plan your menu in advance. Do all the shopping and initial prep the day before. Ideally your menu should center around dishes that require as little last-minute prep as possible. This will reduce stress and allow you to actually enjoy the company.

3. Get the party involved.

If some last-minute prep items couldn’t be avoided (some dishes are worth the extra work), let your guests get in the game. Most people love to play in the kitchen. It’s a bonding experience and many of our greatest holiday memories are born around the oven or the mixing bowl.

Come to think of it, I’ve never been to a party that didn’t end up with everyone in the kitchen anyway.

Follow these three simple tips and I guarantee you’ll have more fun this holiday season.

Happy Holidays. Happy Cooking!

Best,

Chef