Everyone loves a good party but getting ready for events can be stressful, especially for the chef. More guests around the holidays mean more mouths to feed, more food to prep and more time needed to do it. People have so many special requirements and food allergies these days as well – is it possible to accommodate everyone?

Epicurean Group can help. Customization is a daily practice in our kitchens: we’re always cooking for a crowd of diverse tastes and expectations. Here’s some things we’ve learned:

Tips on Cooking for a Crowd

1. The RSVP is important so ask whether guests plan to attend or not. Tell them it helps you prepare enough food without throwing away lots of leftovers at the end.
2. Once they RSVP, inquire about guest allergies.
3. Make a menu plan far in advance of the event and pencil in those jobs on your calendar. Determine what you can make or buy the week before the event, the day(s) before, and what can only happen the day of the party. Don’t leave all your shopping for the day before or day of the party!
4. Figuring out how much to buy for a large group isn’t as tricky as it may seem. Say you need to know how many heads of lettuce or carrots are needed for a big salad. Determine first how many people could eat off one bunch or stick. Then multiply by the number of guests.
5. Consider serving meat as a side dish. This gives meat eaters full access without vegetarians requiring a special dish.
6. Customization is key, so give guests more than salt and pepper. Build a condiment bar with unique hot sauces, vinegars, and seed/nut sprinkles for individual seasoning preferences. Serve common allergens like cheese and nuts on the side, allowing guest to add if they wish.
7. Save jobs for volunteers – if you know someone will offer to help, pre-assign them tasks on your prep list. Easily delegated jobs, like assembling appetizers, slicing bread, and building the cheese plate are good choices. In our featured recipe below, Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate and Honey Candies Pepitas, volunteers can wash and slice the vegetable, seed the pomegranate and/or make the pepitas.
8. Remember you want to have fun too. Get as much done as you can before party day, so you have more time to enjoy the event.