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How to Cook Xmas Dinner for 20 Guests – Going to need a Plan
How to Cook Xmas Dinner for 20 Guests – Order Xmas Foods from NCmeatfishProduce Website or Call Today to place an Order – 07932 686498
How to Cook Xmas Dinner for 20 Guests
Make a Plan
Dependent on your skill level devise a plan and SYSTEM that works for you which may include other people helping (we call these our Commis Chefs) now if you are including helpers then make sure you update them on day with what job function, they have during mis-en-place (preparation) or actual service.
Write your Shopping List
Now rather than bang on here I find common sense will play its part here on how much of each food item you need eg Turkey Crown say is 5k Gross Weight meaning Raw Weight – Google information says on Net Weight then decide on how many Grams each Guest will have will determine your Overall Turkey needed Gross Weight, for me 180g of cooked turkey so I would Order 6 kilo + just to make sure I have enough, basically follow this Plan with all foods you are going to serve on the day.
Day before Preparation 24/12
Now at this Point Fridge is rammed and all Food has been delivered so we need to start looking at what can we safely prepare ahead of next day eg cook all the MEATS as you may have decided on Turkey, Beef and Gammon as an example and done your Homework on Cooking Times, if this is the case then what you waiting for just go for it and as we say in Kitchens let’s see if we can deliver a Great Plate of Food.
Cooking Turkey, Beef And Gammon
Cooking Joints to Order is not always the Best Plan and here’s why – simply they take time to carve and plate safely as Dam that Meat is Hot and on carving can become problematic, take a cooled down Turkey Crown like I do is beautiful to carve and what’s great is that I can Slice consistently so all guests note that the Meat looks fabulous and rounded as presentation will play its part much later.
Meats all Cooked
So, I cook Turkey and Gammon the Day before then leave Beef cooking slowly overnight on a Timer to take out in the morning or finish off as i want to Complete Perfection. Once Beef comes out of Oven it rests for 2 hours then say its 7.30am I’m carving Gammon and Turkey then placing on Trays ahead of placing in Fridge or Cool Place ahead of Service which in my house is 2.30pm
How to Cook Xmas Dinner for 20 Guests
Xmas Morning Itinerary (Prep and Cook)
At this point Panic sets in – little tip its normal but just Focus on the Plan you wrote weeks earlier and put your Commis Chefs to Work as everyone has Jobs to do and your Job is to Oversee the whole operation leading up to Plating at 2.10pm
Remember Seasoning and Flavours
There is No Point in spending hours doing all this work when at the end of the meal you hear the dreaded that was Lovely as that is actually disrespectful to Chef, the feedback you want is during the meal is true meaningful feedback is noted and heartfelt as you do get family or guests just saying nonsense but reality feedback it like a WoW, they mean that which makes it all worth while
Why Serve Dinner at 2.30pm
My View the appetite is at its peak at this kind of time as everyone normally up a bit earlier plus excitement burns calories so normally guests chomping at the bit by mid-afternoon as they can also smell the dinner which arouses an appetite
The Gravy
Simply Enhances the Xmas Dinner so Important to work out a Recipe that Packs a Punch and lifts that Plate of Food from an 8 to a 10 as actually very possible and I tell you what your Guests and Family will Notice – my tip scour the Web Browsers and look for something that’s going to so the Job.
Its 2.10pm – Time to Plate and Serve
Pressure is on – are them Plates Warm – is everyone in position to load 20 Plates in 15 mins or if you are doing Bowl/Family Service then Important Table is set out so everyone can grab and pass food around quickly. Simply many ways to Plate 20 Dinners but best way is 2 lots of 10 or do the whole 20 at once but either way Speed is now everything as once Food is on Plate its losing Temperature but No Panic as Hot Gravy will save you if you a bit slow or its your first time.
How to Cook Xmas Dinner for 20 Guests
2.30pm – Job Done – 20 Xmas Dinners Served
Now go and sit down and critique your own dinner but remember you don’t ask anyone how the Xmas Dinner is, await the feedback as it will come. Remember all errors on plate can be rectified next time so just enjoy your plate of food and look forward to the following Year as always looking for Perfection.
Tips and Tricks which may help
Remember to lead yourself or the team assisting you as the moment you become a Commis is the moment you stop concentrating.
Concentrate throughout the morning so as to serve successfully also kick ass if needed as that plate of food needs to be bang on as you may have spent North of £300 which is a lot of money so perfection is what you are striving for.
How to Cook Xmas Dinner for 20 Guests
Finally, I’m telling you that Gravy is the Hero as can also save a plate of Food if say all overcooked or lacking seasoning because you never tasted the food during the morning
Good Luck on the Day and Don’t Panic
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How to Cook Xmas Dinner for 20 Guests