Apart from the social media, singles hangout and worship centres, one effective and fool proof method of making friends and creating a long lasting first impression is to invites friends over for a meal; breakfast, lunch or dinner, anyone works best but I prefer dinner when everyone is looking for nice time to hangout and cool of with family and friends. So here are some very important things you must know and put into consideration when you expecting a guest or inviting a friend over for dinner.
1. KNOW YOUR GUEST: I have these three friends that comes with their own baggage of I don't eat this and I eat this. The first one is allergic to crayfish, the second does not not like to see whole onions in his food and the third friend just will never eat hot meals. I wasn't easy sacrifice much for my friends but it was definitely worth. And again, I wouldn't want to see a guest manifesting like he is possess because he is reacting to some allergies biko. So know your guest likes and dislikes and put them into consideration. And in situations when you don't know his/her likes and dislike, just cook something neutral and generally appealing. Do not go cooking your local delicacies for a guest who is not your tribe.
2: KNOW YOUR TIMING: There was this time when I want to cook for some new corp members and I underestimated their the food in wanted to cook ( boiled yam and egg sauce). I ended up throwing apologies all over the place after keeping them waiting for one hour or so. In other to avoid awkward moments between you and your guests,learn to work with time. When you prepare any Nigerian local delicacies, you should start cooking two hours before the arrival of your guest and if it like a film night, just get your stuffs ready like putting the drinks inside the fridge and getting the popcorns ready before the arrival of your guest. Timing is important.
3. KNOW YOUR RECEIPT: From experience, the best way to impress your guest is prepare the the meal you know how to make the most. I.e the food you are more conversant with. Going online to get fresh recipes and making them for your guest is a risk and it is dangerous. also, because you are trying it for the first time, you tend to make mistakes which might not have
the luxury of time to amend. So dear, my advice for you is cook that food that you are more use to. But it must be delicious at the same time.You wouldn't want your guest whom are crushing on to feel like you are not a good cook.
the luxury of time to amend. So dear, my advice for you is cook that food that you are more use to. But it must be delicious at the same time.You wouldn't want your guest whom are crushing on to feel like you are not a good cook.
4. KNOW YOUR INGREDIENTS: from experience, I have realise that not all seasoning cubes can be used all the time, for all recipes, and at the same moment. Some seasoning cubes are best used at the beginning of your cooking and others almost at the end of your cooking. Of you wouldn't know if you dont experiment. So know what ingredient works best for certain recipes is very important in having a good finished meal.
5. KNOW YOUR PLATTING: know how to serve and inside what to serve your food is also very important . A well plated food, puts a smile on your guests face and gives him/her a sense of worth. I wouldn't want to pour your sauce on top your boiled rice for a highly important guest.
Learn the act of platting different dishes for different occasions.
6. NEVER FORGET YOUR DINING ETIQUETTE: starting from plate and cutlery arrangements down to your courtesy on the dinning, the way you behave on the dinning table is key to knowing your guest and your guest knowing you. This falls back to knowing your guest. If your guest is one that likes to talk while eating, you shouldn't go serious on him/ her by eating with a serious face.
That is it with preparing for a guest. Please feel free to share your dinning fail with guests and to also ask question if you have one. Just do all these in the comment box below.
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