Gone, I am confident, are the days of having to go to such a lot of work when putting the invitation out to come for lunch. With us all having ever so little time on our side (which does seem somewhat crazy in the world of online shopping and apps for everything surely we should have more time?!), and with a few tricks of the trade, posh picnicking and bottomless brunches provide the perfect scenario to throw open your French doors.
With any form of entertaining, it is always important to ask yourself how much actual time you have to prepare. Different occasions will call for different styles, but invariably we are squeezing this into an already busy schedule. I am the queen of lists and pre-planning and the more I can get done in advance the better. You have heard this before from me - use that freezer, and never worry about what you have served before, having a signature dish is great!
I rarely try something for the first time when I have guests over. It just isn’t necessary to add another layer of pressure. You also don’t need to have 20 items on the menu either and, I have to say, I have fallen into doing this in the past. Now I am firmly in the school of doing something simple but very well and if you do end up hosting a bigger crowd than initially planned, don’t be shy in asking for help. I remember years ago, when my parents entertained, the safari supper was a firm favourite with the local villagers. A modern-day twist on this is great fun with like-minded friends who are more into the social side of life than the Michelin stars.
SERVING TRICKS
Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Buckinghamshire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Buckinghamshire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Now Domestic Goddess Mary Shares Secrets
Karen comes clean: she’s never sure whether it’s a job for disinfectant or bleach… but knows lemons go in gin and tonic.
Let Battle Commence
If you suspect people are using our countryside for illegal hare coursing, make sure they are reported to police.
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
Yes or no, we’ll begin… with the tale of a chair which relies on the skills of people across our counties including Wycombe furniture experts.
Christmas In...Newbury
Lanterns, late night shopping and tracking down the reindeer: it’s all happening in the West Berkshire destination for seasonal days out.
Take a Staycation in Our Beautiful Counties
Days out and breaks along The Ridgeway or beside our rivers and canals support rural tourism – and, best of all, it’s on our doorsteps
Shall We Dance?
It’s never too late to learn, as NICOLA SWANBOROUGH discovered when she joined one of NOCTURN’s adult contemporary dance classes for beginners
The Botanist, Marlow
Prepare for hidden treasures and that a gorgeous décor is somehow outshone by dishes arriving at the table,
When Your Name's in the Frame
‘What do you know about a man called Scaramanga, 007?’ M asks James Bond. We know perhaps a little more, courtesy of Sunningdale School
Chiltern Rollercoaster
Follow Steve Davison as he heads to Stokenchurch for a longer walk – with shorter option – through some picturesque rolling Chiltern countryside.
The Winning Wedding Formula
Berkshire and Buckinghamshire couples are invited to attend the 2018 edition of Bride: The Wedding Show at Ascot Racecourse from March 10-11.
