How to: Host a perfect dinner party

Q: How would you suggest getting guests involved in the dinner party process?
A: For a Vietnamese dinner, I provided a stack of softened rice paper wraps along with platters of barbecued lemongrass beef strips, vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts, basil and mint. Guests can roll their own dinner.

Q: What are some tips for entertaining guests with children?
A: Set up a separate table for the kids in the kitchen. They'll have much more fun. For young kids, take a cue from kid-friendly restaurants by covering the table with heavy paper and giving children crayons.

Q: Can you offer some interesting invitation ideas?
A: In these e-mail days, a pretty mailed invitation makes a lovely surprise.

Q: What are some common entertaining mistakes? What suggestions do you have to help people overcome these mistakes?
A: Cooking a bunch of new recipes for guests creates a lot of stress and extra work. It's easier to mix tried-and-true recipes with one or two new items.

Plan as many make-ahead dishes as you can, so you can sit down and enjoy the party. There's nothing wrong with a wonderful one-dish stew and it will taste even better when made a day or two before.

Read more in Food & Entertaining and Party Planner