How to organize a great party

When my friend asked me to cater for her child's party for 20 people I agreed with enthusiasm. I promptly wrote huge checklists and planned every little detail so I would not disappoint anyone. 

Then I organized my shopping lists and planned what to cook when and so on.

I needed to do so as I had to bake a large chocolate cake, cupcakes, profiteroles and biscuits. I also made three loafs of home-made bread in order to use them for my cheese and cucumber sandwiches.

The fruit salads and fruity skewers took some time too.

Five days before a party I shopped for some ingredients, fresh fruit and cucumbers needed to be bought later.

 Two days before the party I made vanilla spelt and semolina buttery biscuits.

 The day before the event I baked the birthday cake together with cupcakes and profiteroles. I also baked bread.

I made profiteroles three times to get them right!

It does help to check everything every day with your checklist and tick the jobs off as you go.

The salads, sandwiches and skewers were prepared in the morning, before the party.

As you can see presentation counts too - although I was limited by what I found when we arrived at the hall.

Useful tips:

• agree the price of your service provided and stick to it. 
• do appreciate your own value - you are helping a busy person to have a good party, and you are giving them your skills and hard work
• do not cut on quality or hygiene, if you are doing your best, it will shine through. Those who cut corners do not last... (i.e. cut crusts not corners :) )
• do not underestimate the importance of checklists. Good planning and preparation pay.