Tips to Reduce Dinner Party Stress

Tips to Reduce Dinner Party Stress

If you're lucky enough to be spending time on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria this summer, you can hire Feast Australia to cater for your dinner party. If not, don't worry, these tips from Feast Australia are sure to help you keep your cool.

Keep it simple. Your friends are coming to spend time with you. They know you are not a chef and don't expect restaurant quality food.

Plan a menu that keeps you out of the kitchen as much as possible. Include dishes you can make before hand like a tart or pie that just needs a flash in the oven, a salad that can be dressed at the last minute or a chilled dessert that just needs plating up.

Four days before the party check your cupboards and write a list of everything you need to buy and do. Remember to check it!

Don't try to do too many dishes and unless you're a true wiz in the kitchen never make something you've never made before.

If you're short on time or confidence choose one stand-out dish to focus on. Buy in a good quality dessert and choose great dips and cheeses to start.

Prepare a jug of a fresh drink like gin & tonic. Having this ready to go will mean you won't be rushed off your feet if all your guests arrive at once.

Do as much as you can ahead of time; clean the house, set the table and find out in advance what your guests don't eat. If your kids are old enough to help offer extra pocket money (or dessert) for helping to get the house ready.

Delegate wine and nibbles or even dessert. People like to contribute something to a party. Think about whose coming and pick the right person for the job. Just make sure the guest you get to bring nibbles isn't the one who normally arrives late!

Add a bit of relaxed nostalgic fun by asking everyone to bring along an old record to play. The memories will flow and spark some great conversations.

Allocate 15 minutes chill-time before your guests arrive. Turn of the flouro's, light some candles and pour yourself a drink.

Remember if you enjoy yourself your guests will too.

If you love to get together with family and friends but the thought of hosting a dinner party fills you with dread, fear no more. Feast Australia is offering an in-home dinner party catering service on the Mornington Peninsula. All you'll have to do is send out the invitations (which they provide!) and help choose the menu. The Feast Australia team will source the ingredients, prep the food, cook the meals, serve you and your guests and clean up afterwards. They'll even pop any leftovers in your fridge. Heaven? Quite possibly!

The brains behind this clever new business are Rachel van den Bosch and John Middleton. Rachel is a qualified chef, nutritionist and naturopath. Her twelve years experience shines through her desire to create sublime, wholesome food. John too is passionate when it comes to food. He excels in sourcing exceptional ingredients from the best producers and suppliers. John is an avid educator in sustainable gardening techniques and loves sharing the inspiration and pleasure of eating food fresh from your own garden. Together this dynamic duo certainly knows their stuff!

Not everyone can channel their inner Nigella or Jamie and create a fabulous dinner party. "Many of our clients come down to the coast to unwind and put their feet up." says Rachel, "They find catering for their own parties quite stressful. We take away the stress so they can enjoy themselves, in their own homes."

The food they create is of exceptional quality. They take full advantage of the area's abundant produce and source local ingredients wherever possible. Their philosophy of sharing 'the good life' is obvious both when you meet them and when you look at the menu. You can choose from plump zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and sage; hand-made prawn and fennel tortellini; beautiful salads; chilled strawberry soup with fresh summer berries; or even lemon tart with possibly the most sensational pastry you've ever tried.

Feast Australia catered dinner parties are great for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. If you are lucky enough to be spending some time on the Mornington Peninsula this summer, get in quick, their calendar is filling fast!

Go to www.feastaustralia.com.au or call 0410 544 505 to book your dinner party now. Oh, and program your iPod to play your favourite tracks during the dinner. It's about the only thing you'll have to do yourself!