4 Easy Steps to Planning a Cooking Party

 It may seem hard to believe, but summer has officially bid us a fond farewell — and fall is right around the corner! It’s time to start planning for that semi-intimidating, but definitely a worthwhile event you’ve been contemplating… A cooking party! 

Having a cooking party doesn’t have to be stressful. It can be a lot of fun! We’ve broken down how to have a cooking party in just 4 simple steps! 

Instead of a typical cocktail party, why not gather your friends and family or host some of your children’s friends for an interactive culinary shindig? Here’s how you can host an event that will make your warm-weather enthusiasts grateful for the opportunity to hunker down indoors and cook the night away.

1. Pre-Party Planning 

• Decide on a date and time for your cooking party and create a menu for your event. This can be based on a theme (recipes from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking), a style of food (Italian, Mexican, etc.), or an ingredient (garlic).
• Make a shopping list of the ingredients required. Don’t forget to include non-food items you may need such as wooden skewers, re-sealable bags, and toothpicks.
• Make and print recipe cards for each course or component of the meal being cooked. It is usually easiest to divide the meal into the first, main, and dessert courses. If you have more guests than courses that need to be cooked, assign them the task of assembling some hors d’oeuvres.
• Divide your guests into cooking groups. Be creative and thoughtful in your assignments by placing beginner cooks with those who are more experienced. Split up couples or best friends so everyone has the opportunity to engage with someone new.