Party Food: Do Your Best
Dear Penelope-
I’ve been asked to bring something light, like a soup or a salad, to a friend’s cookout next week. I have a couple of great recipes in mind, but am worried that my food won’t be appealing to everyone at the party. What should I do?
Katie
via e-mail
Dear Katie,
Since you didn’t mention what kind of recipes you had in mind, I’ll have to assume that you weren’t planning on cooking beef stew or slow roasted rabbit for the cookout. Even if I don’t know your plans for the “something light” you’ve been asked to bring, the most helpful party advice I can give you is something that I tell anyone who will listen: it’s nearly impossible to please everyone, especially at a party with a mixed guest list. Maybe you’re going to a cookout to celebrate the release of the last Harry Potter book. Maybe it’s a work function. No matter what the event, you’ll almost always encounter people with different palates—some adventurous, some picky—and you’ll drive yourself crazy if you try to prepare the perfect item for all of them. Pick a dish that seems right for the occasion, whether it be a cold soup or a chop salad. Do your best in preparing it, and forget about the people who seem not to care for your party food offering. Focus on those who do, and you’ll have a much better time.
Enjoy Planning.
Penelope
Have a question for Penelope? E-mail her!