The ultimate guide for cooking for a crowd

Having a plan is essential when cooking for a crowd. Create a menu plan and then figure out in advance what will need to be cooked or prepared in the weeks and days beforehand, along with a cooking run sheet for the day.

Preparing individual plates of food can be time-consuming and exhausting when there are so many to cater for. Plan a menu that can be laid out in a big buffet so everyone can just help themselves. It’ll make for a relaxed atmosphere – and a relaxed chef at the helm (phew!).

When making a big meal, having a theme can help make everything feel cohesive, as well as give guests handy clues as to what they can bring. A few ideas: Italian Christmas; seafood feast; traditional English roast; red and green; cocktail party or festive bush tucker.

You’ll save a lot of time and effort on the day by doing as much of your cooking and preparation—down to making gravy and chopping up veggies to be roasted—in advance. Prepare salads, marinate meat and chop up fruit and veg, then keep it all fresh in the fridge or freezer covered with GLAD CLINGWRAP or stored in GLAD SNAP LOCK Bags.

Delays are almost inevitable when you’re cooking for a crowd. Make a stash of easy finger food nibbles that can keep hunger at bay if lunch or dinner is taking a little longer than expected. Simply store in the fridge on a plate with GLAD CLINGWRAP.

Even the simplest of dishes can look restaurant quality when presented with care and finesse. Employ a little creativity in your presentation and invest a little time in creating some gorgeous garnishes of fresh fruit and veg to serve with your dishes.

Make up a large batch of spiced maple-glazed nuts, snowflake shortbread or Christmas fudge, package them up in pretty little bags or boxes and you’ll have a charming gift to give friends or family to take home. (Brought to you by GLAD).