Getting people together is easy: just tell them you’re cooking! But planning and pulling off a successful breakfast or brunch with your family, friends and neighbors can be a headache unless you know a few simple tips to keep a fun morning just that!
1) Have more than enough food on hand. Think about your meal the night before and pick up a few things to stock the fridge with. That way you’ll be ready if you wake up late or hung over. If you’re an early riser, you can hit the store before people wake up or arrive. In either case, always plan on people eating seconds! It’s also a good idea to have variety; with a large group, you’ll want to have something on hand for everyone, so try to imagine what everyone there would like to eat for breakfast.
2) Delegate responsibility. There is nothing harder than juggling 15 billiard balls. Confide your talents, hopes and expectations in a select few that will act as your breakfast team.
Choose people that have special aptitudes; for example, the "coffee maker”, the “egg man”, the "bacon lady” and the “flap Jack”. Put someone in charge of bagels and juice. Place a trusted soul at the helm of the S.S. Cutting Board. Some people relish the responsibility of setting the table, or simply cooling the hotheads in the other room demanding to know when breakfast will be ready. 3) Keep the non-cooks out of the kitchen. Have a play room or conversation room set up for your guests so they can have a great morning without feeling like they have to hover
around the pots and pans, back-seat cooking, drooling or picking at the food before its time. Set up a stereo and have some comfy pillows and chairs strewn about. This step is important for you, so you can get what you need to get done, and as a bonus it adds mystery and “chef’s secrets” as part of your breakfast’s allure.4) Containers, containers, containers. As food items get cooked and done, you will want lots of these on hand to keep things fresh and together. Try to coordinate things to be ready simultaneously. For instance, the eggs, potatoes, bacon, toasted, and griddle items will need to be kept warm, so use oven space wisely. Juices and coffees can be put into pitchers and carafes, and hot dishes should be covered, so hunt down all those lids or just use an overturned plate.
5) When breakfast is ready, have a serving system. Once this is established, then you can grab the triangle, ring it loud and proclaim “COME AND GIT IT!” But not before. It’s wise to let the guests serve themselves buffet-style, just make sure everybody gets some the first time around.6) Enlist a clean up crew. Try not to let this part get you down. Meals make messes, and you can make light of it by getting folks to help in the kitchen after breakfast is over. Pick out some guests that didn’t help with the cooking, that way everyone gets to contribute. *Note to dishwasher owners: You Lucky Stiffs.
7) Donations are appreciated. These grand meals do not come cheaply, and chances are your guests know it. If you feel uncomfortable shilling for dollars, you could place a donation jar in an obvious
location and occasionally and loudly refer to it (I like to start the ball rolling myself by putting in a $10 or a $20 – people get the hint and will usually join in) As the host or hostess, you’ll most likely “eat” some of the costs, but you might receive an invitation to somebody else’s meal someday!
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