We all know how stressful entertaining can be. Appetizers, entrée, dessert – there's so much to think about. And if you don't entertain often, it can be even more stressful. Even famous foodie Bonnie Stern knows this. “There are so many different things involved in entertaining that sometimes it's overwhelming for people,” she says. But, it doesn't have to be this way. We caught up with Bonnie in her uptown Toronto cooking school and she shared some of her surefire tips to help ease entertaining angst. “You don't have to make a career out of entertaining,” says Bonnie. You just have to know what to do.
Bonnie's advice
1 Don't concentrate too much on yourself. As soon as you stop thinking about yourself and more about making people feel comfortable in your home, then you can change the whole way you look at entertaining.
2 Play music that soothes people. “I recommend that people put their music on while they're cooking, as well as while they're entertaining, because it's something that calms you down a little bit,” says Bonnie.
3 Get your guests involved. Even if it's simply helping to pour drinks, helping to serve the appetizers or lighting the candles on the table, this gets them involved in the meal.
4 Use your imagination. Bring out your mother's or grandmother's old fancy teacups and china. Use teapots as flower vases.
5 Some people drink, some people don't, but don't leave people out that aren't drinking at all. Do something special for them, too.
6 Lighting is very important. Use candles and dim, softer lighting rather than glaring lighting. “Everybody looks better in softer lighting,” says Bonnie. And dim lights help to create a less stressful atmosphere.
3 Comments
Flowers are an essential part of a sit-down dinner. Have a low flower arrangement, one that everyone sitting at the table will be able to see everyone. There is nothing more annoying than talking across the table to someone without being able to look into their eyes.
Flowers are an essential part of a sit-down dinner. Have a low flower arrangement, one that everyone sitting at the table will be able to see everyone. There is nothing more annoying than talking across the table to someone without being able to look into their eyes.
Some great advice. As well, use place cards to seat your guests - it's a touch people appreciate and you can separate couples so that they're not side by side. Since it's a privilege to be invited, as Bonnie Stern suggested invite those people you like - not only will they be less critical, but life's too short to waste on entertaining anyone you have nothing in common with. JZ