Food Safety Pages. Check them out!

Buffet and Party Safety - Also includes what to do if your guests have been delayed at least an hour


Golden Rules of Food Safety
IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT! If you have any question in your mind about the freshness or safety of eating a food product, throw it out. It is better to be safe than sorry!


Picnic Safety Tips
There is nothing more American than the picnic. Picnics can take on many forms, such as the community picnic, friends and neighbors, tailgate parties, or ball games. There is also one sure thing at every picnic-lots of good food.

The important point is to have safe and healthy food, not food that can cause food borne illness. Always prepare and store food properly.

Summer Safety Tips
Summer is the time for barbecues and picnics. The biggest party crasher at summer picnic and buffets is food borne bacteria. You can't see them and you can't taste them, but you sure can feel them if illness occurs hours or days later.

Ten Simple Rules for Planning a Dinner Party

Plan Ahead.

1.  Decide on you guest list. Invite your guests far enough in advance to make sure everyone will attend. Either call or send invitations.

Ask you guests if they have any food allergies or preferences.

If you want a dress code, specify this in the invitation.

2.  Create your menu. Make sure the menu is compatible with each course. Check out Linda's Dinner Party Menus (includes recipes and photos) for lots of great dinner party ideas.

Vary dishes: change the texture, temperature, spiciness and/or color of what you serve to interest the eye and the palate. Feature flavors that contrast but don’t clash. Balance a spicy dish with a mild dish, a sweet dish with a savory dish. Try to use local foods that are in season.

Choose recipes you have already tried and tested. This is not a good time to try something new if you are cooking yourself. This will help to avoid any disasters and turn your dinner party into a "hit." If you are making a new dish, please do a trial-run and try the recipe out in advance.

Try to plan as many make-ahead dishes as your can. Keep the number of recipes that involve last-minute preparation to a minimum unless you have lots of help getting everything on the table. Keep the meal manageable and within your comfort level. When planning a menu, keep in mind three things: (1) price, (2) seasonality, and (3) time.

Make a timeline for your menu. Once you determine the order of your menu, write it down. Review each recipe and write down how long it will take to cook, at what temperature, how long the prep time will take (estimate if needed), and what, if anything, can be done in advance.
 

3.  Verify that you have the appropriate equipment to prepare each dish at the right time, as well as, storage containers for any ingredients made ahead.
 

4.  List every ingredient needed for each dish and check to pantry to see what you already have and what you need to purchase.

5.  Make a grocery list of ingredients your need to purchase. Shop ahead of time for the ingredients needed to make the dishes you choose to serve.

6.  Clean the house a couple of days in advance and just do touch ups the morning of your party

7.  Set the table in advance of your party, even a day ahead of time.

Presentation is as important for the table as it is for the food. Choose a centerpiece low enough that everyone can see over and does not block anyone view.

8.  Mise en Place is a French term for preparing all the ingredients for a dish in advance, such as washing, trimming, chopping vegetables, setting out your spices and herbs, etc. Mise en place makes the actual process of cooking more efficient and helps prevent the cook from making mistakes or discovering missing ingredients at a crucial moment.

Prepare your workspace by starting with a clean kitchen. There is also time to clean the mixing area as you go along rather than face a counter full of mixing equipment when you're done.

Have every ingredient measured and ready to be used in separate bowls or cups (or combined if the ingredients are being cooked at the same time).

Clean and dry salad greens, and store in a resealable plastic bag.
 

Most of all relax and enjoy the process!