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There are many factors to consider when planning a menu and it may seem a difficult and daunting task, especially when tackling it for the first time. Begin by thinking about the people you are cooking for and what type of dishes they might enjoy. I like to give people one ingredient that perhaps they haven’t tried before. However, it is important to think about availability, to make sure that you don’t spend too much time running about trying to find particular ingredients. Always check the dietary requirements of your guests to make sure that you are catering for everyone. That said, I often make an extra dish or two, just in case there’s an allergy or food dislike that I’m not aware of.

For the best flavour, choose your dishes based on seasonality; if you are unsure, visit your local farmers’ market and ask the growers what produce is at its best.

Think about which dishes can be made in advance or even prepared and frozen beforehand. When entertaining at home I aim to have at least one course made in advance – usually the dessert. Many dishes can also be prepared up to a certain stage and then kept covered in the fridge until needed. Just make sure that you allow everything to come back to room temperature before cooking or serving it.

Try to get a good balance in your menu and avoid overlap ingredients. It is also important not to make too many of the dishes overly rich and heavy; although they will be delicious, your guests will start to struggle. » Devise a time plan for the evening and make a note of how long different things need in the oven. This stops you from becoming flustered once your guests arrive and allows you to enjoy the evening and take part in the chat!

If you are nervous, perhaps try out the dishes on close friends and family first. The less pressure you have on your shoulders the better, and the more likely everyone is to have a good night. Once you have mastered a dish, then you can build on it and take it to the next level. The most important thing to remember when entertaining is to relax and enjoy it!