How do you feel about cooking for a large group of people?

B Natural answer

I feel pretty positive about cooking for a large group, but I definitely think you need to be organized. For me, the biggest thing is to plan ahead so I know what can be cooked in advance and what has to stay warm until people arrive. I usually prefer to make one big dish instead of trying to cook lots of separate meals, because it saves time and keeps the kitchen from getting chaotic. If the menu is simple, I’m usually relaxed, and I can actually enjoy the process. I also think it helps to stay calm in the kitchen, because if you rush, mistakes happen and everything feels more complicated than it is. So I’d say I’m comfortable with it, but I like having a clear plan before I start.

Key phrases in this answer

• plan ahead — think and organize before the event or task“It helps to plan ahead when you’re cooking for ten people.”
• make one big dish — cook a single large meal instead of many separate ones“For a group, I’d rather make one big dish than cook four small meals.”
• stay calm in the kitchen — remain relaxed while cooking under pressure“If something goes wrong, I try to stay calm in the kitchen.”
• feed a crowd — cook enough food for many people“I usually feed a crowd with pasta or tacos.”
• keep things simple — avoid making something more complicated than necessary“When I cook for guests, I try to keep things simple.”
• do a lot of prep — prepare ingredients or tasks before the main work starts“I do a lot of prep the day before a dinner party.”