Hi lovelies,

Food is always a key component when it comes to hosting a party. You want to ensure that you have enough food for your guests and that it is something they will enjoy. One great way to serve food at a party is with party platters. Party platters can be intimidating if you have never made them before, but don't worry - we are here to help! This blog post will discuss five hacks that will help improve your party platter skills.

Choose a Variety of Foods:

One way to make sure that your party platter is both appealing and enjoyable is to select a variety of different foods. This means selecting items with different textures, colors, and flavors. For instance, you could put out raw vegetables like carrots and celery alongside hummus and cream cheese-based dips. Other great items to include on your platters include crackers, cheeses, nuts, olives, meatballs, or foods like this german potato salad recipe. Including a variety of foods will ensure something for everyone to enjoy.

Consider the Number of Guests:

It is important to have enough food for all your guests, so you should consider the number of people attending when creating your platters. To do this, it can be helpful to measure out amounts ahead of time using cups and spoons. This will give you an idea of the volume of food you will need for each person. It is also important to consider dietary restrictions or allergies that your guests may have so that everyone can enjoy the platters. By planning and accounting for dietary restrictions, you can ensure that everyone at your party is taken care of.

Create Variety in Your Platters:

When it comes to creating your party platters, variety is key! Be sure to create a mix of items on each platter, including proteins, vegetables, cheeses, crackers, and spreads. This will ensure there is something for everyone and keep things interesting. Additionally, try not to be too limited in flavors – think outside the box and experiment with different combinations! This also entails varying the presentation of your platters – try adding some height to them with skewers and mounds, and use a variety of serving dishes and bowls to add visual interest.

Arrange Items Strategically:

When arranging items on the platter, it is important to consider how they will look. Start by placing the larger items first, such as breads or meats, and smaller items towards the center. This will help create an eye-catching presentation that will wow your guests! Additionally, be sure to keep in mind that not all of your items should be laid out precisely in the same way; arrange them so that there is a bit of surprise when people discover what’s inside. Additionally, you can use food items to create eye-catching designs, like arranging vegetables in a spiral or creating an abstract design with cheeses.

Utilize Creative Garnishes:

The final hack to improve your party platter skills is to add creative garnishes. These can be something as simple as adding a few colorful fruits or vegetables around the edges or something more complex such as creating intricate designs. Creative garnishes give your platters an extra bit of personality and can easily make them stand out from the rest. Additionally, it's also a great way to use up any leftover ingredients you may have lying around.

Creating beautiful garnishes doesn't take a lot of skill either – just get creative with whatever you have on hand! For instance, if you have some whole olives leftover from making hummus, why not create an olive flower design? Or if you have some extra fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, try tucking them into different parts of the platter for a rustic look.

These five simple hacks will help you to create beautiful and delicious party platters for your next get-together. Remember – selecting a mix of items, accounting for the number of guests, creating variety in your platters, arranging items strategically, and utilizing creative garnishes can all help to make your hosting skills shine! With just a few tweaks, you’ll be able to wow your guests with fun and tasty platters that look as good as they taste. So, don’t be afraid to get creative with your party platters – you may just surprise yourself!