Dinner parties: Then and Now

[Food Network Fan]

Dinner parties: Then and Now
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - MO, United States
Ina Garten, host of the "Barefoot Contessa" on the Food Network and author of the cookbooks by the same title, recalls her early dinner parties and ...

[bakerman]

We throw a party about once a year. It is usually a very casual dinner party. My problem is narrowing down what I am going to cook. I choose a theme and set up one buffet of appetizers, one of hot dishes and another of desserts. I always over do it, and I end up cooking for 2-3 days prior.

We always choose a cocktail for the evening and offer this to guests at the door. Our first party had an open bar, and it is really expensive setting up a full bar, so the featured cocktail makes things much easier and cheaper.

MAC

[BerryBaby]

I love having parties and try and do at least two a year. There are about 20 people that attend and I just love cooking and preparing for them.

Like you, Bakerman, I have cut back on having a full bar. In fact, my summer party didn't even have any alcohol offerings. Instead, I had ordered Paradise Tea (online) and everyone went crazy over it! It was an afternoon party so iced tea was perfect.

At Christmas, I make a big batch of mulled wine. There is also a variety of chilled wines, sodas, water, but the focus has moved onto the food. I, too, go overboard with the buffet, but better to have more than not enough.

I'm already planning for this year's Christmas Party ! Can't wait....

[Pluff Mudder]

I like to do BBQs in the nice months where I can set up things out on the deck overlooking the marsh and creek. Fix things like BBQ ribs, boiled shrimp, grilled chicken, potato salad, slaw, etc. Along with a few different desserts and sweet tea and a tub of ice in which I have bottles of beer and soft drinks. Just set everything out buffet-style.

During the Christmas season, I like to do a open-house with a variety of pick ups, punch and a hot drink. Very relaxed and people can come and go as they please. Things are pretty laid back down here.

[Food Network Fan]

We always do something for Christmas. Maybe someday the house will be finished and we can do it more often.

[ibcheft]

I like to do pool side parties, mainly crawfish boils, but often we do ribs, or briskets or both. I can not wait till I get the outside kitchen completed, probly move then, and I will have to start over. But I love giving parties and I always cook to much, but as BB says better to much than to little. Since we do not drink, we always have tea, sodas, and the guest have learned if they want they bring beer. We tend to stay away from the hard stuff been, to many where you have one or two who will ruin the whole thing for everyone and then I have noticed people quit attending those parties.