hosting my first dinner party w/qs

I'm hosting my mom's 60th and it'll be about 12 adults. I make a good salmon (mustard and panko crusted) and it's easy enough to make for 12 people since I can ask them to cut them and skin them too. Question is, how do you make this ahead of time? Can I cook it (I bake it) in the early afternoon, put it in the fridge and then put it on low in the oven about 1/2 hour before people come? Not sure how the whole cooking ahead of time for dinner party works!

I was thinking to also make rice, potatoes, asparagus or broccoli and a salad. I'll have some appetizer type stuff before we sit. I have a keurig coffee maker and I'll be getting a cake and fruit. I'll have my sister bring cookies. If you have any recs let me know! Can't believe I never hosted dinner event. I've done pastas/ziti but nothing formal really! TIA!!!

Re: hosting my first dinner party w/qs

Salmon is not one of those things you can make in advance.... But I don't think you need to. You could just assemble them earlier in the day (put the pinko crust on), and just pop them in the oven 30 mins before you want to serve dinner (or however long they need). Shouldn't be too much muss and fuss in the kitchen while your guests are there.

My tips would be:

Make sure your menu is doable (in terms of time needed, oven space needed), and that it will suit your crowd (I assume you know everyone likes fish?). I usually try to do at least some make ahead dishes, and if I have a labor intensive dish, I balance it out with easier dishes. Also make sure your menu items complement each other, and there is a balance of heavy and light dishes.

Do as much as you can in advance, including things like setting the table and taking out serving dishes. If I make food in advance, I've found it helps to label the items with pot it's that say what it is and what you need to do to finish or hear the dish (e.g., "twice baked potatoes, bake at 350 for 30 mins").

Consider the logistics of everything. What platters and serving dishes will you use for each item? Will you have enough? Will it make things flow more smoothly if you do place cards rather than having everyone figure out seating when it's time to eat. I would think about buying or borrowing a coffee pot if you know all 12 people will want coffee with cake. It can take awhile to do 12 single serve cups, and do you want to be bothered with overseeing that and stressing that people are waiting on coffee?

I would err on the side of having more food and drink than you think you need. Better than the other way around!

Good luck! I love having dinner parties, but I think the more you do it, the easier it becomes. You kind of get you system down pat. Have fun., its so nice of you to host a party for your mom!

Re: hosting my first dinner party w/qs

For something like salmon, I would cook that fresh. Time it to when you want to serve it. Since you will have appetizers, it's always a good distraction. I would make the rice, potatoes, vegetables, salad ahead of time so everything is ready and all you have to do is take care of the salmon. The menu sounds delicious. For formal affairs, I clean the entire week before, the day before I get everything ready to set the table and get the house set up and the night before and the morning before i do all the food prep. good luck!

Re: hosting my first dinner party w/qs

Thank you for the replies! SO helpful! MY fam keeps kosher and my in laws don't. I think Salmon is a happy medium. I know they all eat fish, and i wouldn't dare have unkosher food in the house for my mom' birthday, and I don't want meat b/c I want to be able to use dairy for desserts (another kosher thing). I'm thinking to also make a pasta dish just in case someone hates salmon. Part of me just wants to host it at a restaurant b/c at the end of the day it'll probably be the same price if i do a prix fixe! But, it's probably more meaningful at home

Re: hosting my first dinner party w/qs

I would offer some sort of alternative to the salmon. I do eat fish, but I hate salmon. I would have nothing to eat accept appetizers and sides.

Re: hosting my first dinner party w/qs

Re: hosting my first dinner party w/qs

I too am not a salmon fan. Its definitely either you love it or hate it. I would have an alternative as well. Maybe chicken? You could easily make a roast chicken - that's practically no work at all!