Video:Tips on Cooking For a Crowd

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Transcript:Tips on Cooking For a Crowd

Hi, I'm Abby Feldman for About.com. Now cooking for a big group can be a daunting task. But if you're up fun and rewarding. Here are some helpful hints for getting your next dinner party underway and making it a sensation!

Organize What You Will Need When Cooking for a Crowd

To start, you'll need to make a list. Firstly, list what food you want to make and secondly, what you will need to buy to make it. Once you have purchased the required ingredients, figure out what you can do in the days leading up to the event to make life easier for yourself on the day of. This could include preparing desserts, or pre-cooking items.

Plan to have space in your fridge for everything, including leftovers. And if necessary, clear room on your stovetop as well. Next, make sure you have all of the pots, pans, and serving dishes you need to prepare your meal. Having large pans is much easier than using a few smaller pans and will help you work more efficiently while preparing your meal.

Use Crockpots When Cooking for a Crowd

This leads me to my next tip: crockpots. This retro appliance is making a comeback. It's great for large meals because it makes a lot of food and requires minimal effort. Because it slow-cooks, it's perfect for making tender and delicious stews and casseroles.

If you need to keep the foods cold while serving, prepare a bowl or tray of ice for the table. If you have an ice chest or cooler, this would also be helpful. Serving utensils are crucial when preparing for big group meals. Make sure you have not only enough utensils for guests, but also that you have appropriate utensils for serving the dishes. Tongs, large spoons, and ladles are a few examples that really come in handy when it's time to serve-up.

Ask for Help When Cooking for a Crowd

If you started planning or cooking and feel slightly overwhelmed, why not ask friends or family to help? Don't bite off more than you can chew (pun intended). It is difficult to plan and cook large meals, so don't hesitate to recruit helpers. You'll be surprised how much fun you all can have.

For more cooking tips like this, visit us at About.com. Thanks for watching.