Starting to cook for others

ejf12009

I'm very much a young cook, in both senses of the word. Baking and some pastry I'm really comfortable with, but cooking for dinner parties is a new game to me. Here are some pictures from my first 3 dinner parties, as taken by guests. The astute amongst you will notice several dishes taken directly from ChefSteps

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Comments

HammeredChef_DEFINITELY_does_NOT_work_at_22134

Looks pretty damn good to me. There is a post in here about how important planning is and how to get out/stay out of the weeds.

Basically for me there are six steps: Have wine available at all times. Plan it. Re-plan it. Check the plan the next day. Execute the plan. If the plan blows up pour everybody more wine unless it is a Mexican themed dinner and then just set the tequila bottle on the table, no more problems....AND everyone has fun.

ejf12009

The first two parties I planned meticulously - every minute from 9am to 9pm was scheduled (including lots of time for "clean" and "catch up"). The third party I didn't plan so well, and things got really exciting about 2 hours before service!

Lou_34544

If you don't mind me asking, what dinner wear did you use for these plates?

ejf12009

I purchased them from Bed Bath and Beyond, I'm pretty sure it's these:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/paradiso-linen-dinnerware-set/104468?categoryId=13025

However, I can't recommend them. The good news is the material has a really nice texture. The bad news is the shapes are not great (bowls don't stack well, plates have these dramatic sloping sides but too little flat area) and they get grey etch marks from flatware really easily.