10 Tips for Planning a Brunch for a Large Group
If you find yourself elected to serving brunch for a family gathering or a large group of out-of-town guests, make it easy on yourself by using prepared foods and easy-to-handle items that satisfy varying tastes. Don’t forget to use food as part of the decoration to create a festive atmosphere. Here are a few tips for planning a brunch for a large group.
1 The Brunch Table
Finding the right amount of space is one of the most difficult parts of entertaining large groups. Keep the tables for serving food and set out clusters of chairs to allow people to congregate together while they eat. Make sure you have enough small, tables nearby for setting down drinks. Add plenty of color to your table decoration to create a festive note. Reds, yellows, oranges and primary blues and green make guests feel relaxed and comfortable. Put out plenty of napkins and flatware. Keep cups close to the beverage serving areas to limit foot traffic. Buy extra containers of condiments so guests don’t have to stand in line.
2 Breads and Pastries
Unlike great grandmothers years ago, hostesses don’t have to spend days in advance of the event cooking breads and pastries for large groups of family. Supermarkets offer a wide choice in breads, rolls, pastries and cakes for every occasion. Mix up hardy whole grains breads with more delicate, crusty rolls. Add a variety of pastries, but opt for the lighter, less calorie-laden types.
3 Proteins
You can find a number of prepared meat items that only require warming, slicing and serving. Use pre-cooked bacon, sausage or turkey to provide the protein part of your brunch menu. Large bags of pre-cooked shrimp and jarred cocktail sauce are available in many supermarkets. Spiral-sliced ham goes a long way in serving a big crowd and can be served with easily whipped-up scrambled eggs for gatherings on the early side of the brunch clock. Or the ham can be used to make sandwiches with bread and rolls. Provide the tomato slices, lettuce and a variety of condiments. Encourage your guests to get creative and have fun. You can also find pre-cooked eggs that can quickly be turned into deviled eggs.
Read also – 5 Simple Tips to Start Cooking Healthy
4 Fruits
You can serve fruits for your brunch in a number of ways, including large bowls of apples, oranges, bananas and grapes set out to enjoy at will. Fruit cut into pieces and mixed together in a fruit salad is another easy and attractive way to provide a fruit component for your brunch. Cut up orange pieces, grapefruit, pineapple, bananas, strawberries and blueberries for a cheerful and tasty treat. This can be served in clear plastic bowls or cups to that the mixture of colors and textures offer a visual dimension.
5 Vegetables
Though vegetables are often scarce at brunch tables, many people are now opting for more veggies and less meat in their diets. Open up a few bags of mixed greens, add grape tomatoes and onion slices and provide a choice of dressings. Crudités, cut up pieces of raw vegetables like carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes, are also an easy way to provide a vegetable component for the dieters and vegetarians in your group.
6 Beverages
Coffee and tea are staples at most brunch gatherings, but also include a variety of fruit juices. Add bottles of club soda and guests can enjoy making fruit spritzers for a more festive drink. This can be particularly handy if you are having a “no alcohol” brunch.
Read also – 10 Important Nutrients Every Woman Needs
7 Add Your Own Touch
Though you can buy almost anything prepared at a range of supermarkets, guests always seem to appreciate it when you add something you’ve made yourself. Consider making a few large pans of breakfast strata or a tasty fruit cobbler. You don’t have to spend long hours preparing it. Find a simple recipe that lends itself to doubling or tripling. Prepare it in advance and then warm up just before serving. Then, enjoy the compliments.
8 A Potluck Brunch
Having a potluck brunch is one of the best and simplest ways to organize a large gathering. It’s becoming more popular these days since most people find a potluck brunch very economical and convenient. So, if you are on a tight budget or you just don’t have time to cook a lot of dishes, why not host a potluck brunch? Ask your guests to bring a beverage or a dish, but make sure you do it well in advance.
9 Relax
Don’t forget that a brunch is a great time to relax and spend time with people you love or simply know. Try not to overload yourself with cooking and preparation, or you may end up feeling tired and sleepy. Serve your guests, sit down, relax and enjoy your company.
10 Wake up Early
Well, perhaps you are not a morning person, I understand, but if you decide to host a brunch, you have to wake up a bit earlier on that day. You can prepare certain dishes, including pastries, if you don’t want to buy them in the supermarket. Even if you are going to host a potluck brunch, you still have to wake up early in order to prepare yourself for the arrival of the guests.
Hosting a brunch is one of the most enjoyable activities. You don’t have to cook a lot and spend a large amount of money. This is all about fun, and it provides a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with people you love. How often do you host a brunch? Do you have any useful tips to share with us?
