How To Host A Catered Dinner Party Gallery
1. The Menu
When hosting a catered meal, selecting a menu can prove challenging since there are lots of different palates involved. Pick a theme and then ask the chef to provide a selection of appropriate recipe ideas. If there is something in particular you don't like, don't be shy. The beauty of working with a private chef is you don't have to work within the parameters of a set menu — your preferences are most important.
2. Prep Your Kitchen
Once the menu is selected, talk to your chef about what staples and equipment she'll need to make the dinner to make sure they have everything they need. Make the chef aware of your kitchen set-up, such as how much counter-space you have and how many ovens (and their sizes) they have to work with. Meeting the chef in your home so they can see the space themselves is smart.
Will s/he need a special appliance, tool, or dish to prepare or serve the meal (for example, if you need orange zest, do you have a zester)? Make sure that you either have it or make sure the chef brings it along. While a chef will generally bring their own knives, you need to make sure to fill any other gaps that might need filling.
3. Setting the Table
Whether you've decided to break out your finest china, as my lovely friend did, or be a little more casual, setting a fine table is important to the general ambiance of the meal. Make sure (before the day of the party) that you have enough plates, serving dishes, cutlery, and glasses.
When making flower arrangements, remember that short, fragrance-free arrangements are best so that you can all easily see each other and take in the aromas of the meal. And, of course, candlelight is always a nice touch.
4. Serve Something Simple During Cocktails
Think about the menu the chef is preparing and buy pre-dinner nibbles to complement it. We went with a simple cheese plate since we had chosen an Italian four-course meal. When putting a cheese plate together, choose three or four different cheeses of varying strengths, flavors, and textures. Adorn the plate with jams, compotes, and honeys — and offer a few dried fruits and olives to spice things up.
5. Preparing the Meal
While the cooking will of course take place at your home, expect your chef to bring some items pre-made (they only have so much time).
For this meal, the short rib sauce was made the night before as it tastes even better the next day. The ground lamb was also already seasoned and ready roll into meatballs. The chocolate mousse was made fresh just before dinner to ensure an ethereally-light texture. In addition, all of the fresh fruits and vegetables were prepared in the kitchen shortly before cooking.
6. Service
Discuss in advance with your chef how dinner will be served. We opted to have the first course plated before we sat down. Some chefs need a helping hand; Baker had Broussard help her prep in the kitchen and also serve guests at the table. Other options might be setting up a buffet, serving dishes family-style or even, if you have a small group, eating at the counter, à la Molto Mario.
7. Relax and Enjoy the Meal
Isn't that what having a chef to do all the prep and cooking is about?