One of the more fun parts of my โjobโ is that I have an excuse to reach out to people Iโve been secretly stalking for decades. ย Take that time, for instance, when I met Susan Spungen for breakfast at a Union Square coffee shop. Spungen spearheaded the food section at Martha Stewart Living twenty years ago. We have her to thank for leading the team that put together the Hors Dโoeuvres Handbook, which is not only my finger food bible, but the bible of caterers across America. When I heard she was coming out with a book on Entertaining โย Whatโs a Hostess to Do?ย โ I set up a date, and over poached eggs and shaved asparagus, downloaded her hard-won wisdom.
21 Rules for Entertaining
Culled from Whatโs a Hostess to Do, by Susan Spungen (and so many thousands more where these came from)
1. Less can be more. Focus on a fewย beautiful well-conceived, well-prepared dishes.
2. Unless itโs the holiday, in which case the key word is โbounty.โ (See above.)
3. The language you use for your invitation should focus on who you do want at the party (โJoin us for a grown-up dinnerโ) not who you donโt want (โNo kids please.โ)
4. For the kids โ When in doubt: โBambini Pasta,โ i.e. noodles, spaghetti, penne, whatever you got โ with butter and Parm.
5. Some handy math: On average, assume your guests will have 2 drinks per hour (10 guests x 2 drinks x 2 hours = 40 drinks). There are approximately 5 wine glasses per bottle. A 1-liter bottle of liquor contains enough for 32 mixed drinks. One liter of mixer will make 8 drinks.
6. The Paloma is The New Margarita. [OK, disclaimer: Susan didnโt exactly say that, but I did, and will continue to all year. To make: 1/2 cup grapefruit soda (such as Mexican Jarritos or Jamaican Ting), the juice of half a lime, and 2 ounces tequila. Serve over ice with lime wedge.]
7. The Manhattan is the New Manhattan.
8. Centerpieces: DO use short candles, DONโT use tall or overly fragrant flowers or plants; DO decorate with short flowers or potted plants, DONโT crowd the table.
9. Scented candles? Yes, for sure, in the bathroom. On the table? Never.
10. All will be fine if Nutella is on the menu. Nutella Dessert Sandwiches: Toast thinly sliced brioche bread, spread with Nutella and dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm.
11. Three Four-Syllable Laws of Sanity Preservation when entertaining: Make it Ahead, Cook What You Know, Think Mise en Place.
12. A multitude of sins can be easily overlooked when people are basking in a warm glow: Lighting should be soft.
13. Bathroom checklist: Close the shower curtain, empty the trash. If there is no lock, make an โoccupiedโ sign to hang on the knob. Better yet, have the kids do it.
14. Invest in a collapsible metal coatrack and never dive through a mountain of identical black wool overcoats heaped on a bed ever again.
15. Winning Cheese and Fruit Pairs for a Starter Spread:ย Apples + Cheddar, Quince Paste + Manchego,ย Figs + Gorgonzola
16. Good salumi needs little accompaniment. But no one will object if itโs next to some good bread, olives, and crisp fennel slices.
17.ย To make after-party cleanup less soul-crushing, always start the evening with an empty dishwasher, dish rack, trash can, and sink.
19. Yes, you can bring wine = The answer when your friends ask What Can I Bring?
20. A good party is much more than the sum of its parts. The gathering takes on a life of its own, and it almost always works out, even when it doesnโt.
21. The no-fail menu for entertaining kids and adults: Ribs, Slawย (lose the brussels in the summer), and make-ahead Ice Cream Sandwiches.
To make: For each sandwich, place a scoop of ice cream on a chocolate chip cookie (try Tateโs brand or another thin crisp cookie). Top with another cookie and press down gently. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and set in the freezer. Wrap individually after theyโve hardened, and freeze until ready to serve.
Art & Photo credits: Evan Sung (holiday spread) Sun Young Park (cocktail tray illustration), Susan Spungen (desserts)
Sounds like a fun book!
love the 21 tips. would love to have the book!
Nutella sandwiches!!! Guaranteed crowd pleaser, yes.
My husband and I just bought our first house and I need this book! Weโve been volunteered to host Thanksgiving and I need all the help I can get.
As someone who is just beginning to entertain, this book will be immensely helpful. I canโt wait to check it out!
We were totally living the Paloma last summer, and I was just thinking that itโs time to stock up on some grapefruit soda, now that itโs above 60!
Ooh, the book looks great!
Love it. If only we had a dishwasherโฆ
nutella sandwich dessert = genius!!!!
If you have a dishwasher (sorry Lisa) also put the soap in the little door. I donโt know why, but having soap in there already makes me feel SO PEACEFUL
the Paloma sounds goooood!
Great suggestions. I always suggest wine when someone asks if they can bring something, too. This book is going on my wishlist!
These tips are helpful, would love to read the book!
The Paloma sounds like my new favorite cocktail!
Appetizers rock! (The best dinner ever is a bunch of appetizers and wine!) โ OK, maybe leave out the wine for the kids โ ๐
Looks like a must read!
Would love to win this book!
Thanks for the post! Really excited to check out this book, and her finger food book!
Palomas and ice cream sandwichs are aces.
I will be mixing some Palomas for my next gathering. Just made ice cream cookwiches for a party last weekend! Looks like a great resource.
wonderful tips for my next hosting gig!
looks awesome!
Iโve had my eye on this little gem of a book for weeks! I love to entertain.
Christina in Oregon
Wow, do I ever need this book!
Would love this book! Thanks for sharing.