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Foods

5 Tips for the Perfect Dinner Party

by Deng Bliven on

We all like to entertain now and then, and inviting special friends round for dinner is a great way to spend a leisurely evening. The right ambience, a mouth-watering menu, and good company are all the ingredients you need for stimulating conversation, and if you are planning a small dinner party, here are some tips to help make the occasion enjoyable for you and your guests.

  1. Outsource the Food – Preparing a varied menu will take up all your time and a little more, while calling in a caterer will definitely stretch your budget. Luckily, online takeaways provide the perfect solution. Using the Internet, if you ordered Chinese takeaway in Bristol, delivery would be in a matter of minutes, and it takes next to no time to prepare for serving. The major headache for the host is always the worry that the food might not be up to scratch, and by ordering from your favourite takeaway, you can be sure your guests will really enjoy their meal.
  1. Vary the Menu – You want to be certain that there is something for everyone’s taste, and by ordering from multiple takeaways, you can mix and match. Great appetisers and delicious desserts can be tastefully displayed, and with the host not having to cook, your guest will feel the centre of attention. Check with your guest to see if anyone is a vegetarian, and you might like to include some gluten free bread, just in case.
  1. Choose Wine Carefully – Your guest will appreciate fine wine with their meal and you can easily find out their preferences. Make sure you have plenty of everything, especially ice, and with a nice cheese board and some excellent coffee and liqueurs, you are halfway there.
  1. The Ambience – An essential component of any dinner experience, creating the right atmosphere will ensure that your guests are relaxed and comfortable. Background music is always a good idea, just make sure the volume is such that everyone can have a conversation. Lighting can be adjusted as the evening progresses, and with LED solutions, you have a wider choice of colours and effects.
  1. Preparation is Everything – As with most things, making sure you have everything at your disposal will ensure that the evening flows. If you are using an outside source for your food, be specific about the delivery time, and that is the major headache taken care of. The kitchen might not be needed to create the menu, but it will be the place where appetisers are prepared and the food is arranged prior to serving. Make a playlist of suitable music, and with a separate seating area, you have the ideal place for pre-dinner conversation. If space is limited, you will have to improvise, and if the weather is agreeable, consider the terrace as the place to dine. Insect repellent is a must if this is the case, and make sure the dining area is not too windy.

Entertaining at home can be a stressful experience at the best of times, and ordering the food from takeaways, you are free to focus on the other essential areas to ensure the dinner party will be a success.

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Restaurants

Three Excellent Health Benefits to Drinking Coffee

by Deng Bliven on

Scientific studies continue to inform us that coffee is good for you.  While you are probably keenly aware of coffee’s stimulant Kafexpress nature—thanks to its abundant caffeine—you may not be so aware of the many other health benefits that you can actually get from drinking coffee.

And if that is the case, here are a few of the dozen health benefits that come along with that daily cup (or two) of joe.

CAFFEINE

First and foremost we have to remember that caffeine, on its own, is not a nutrient.  It is not, technically, good for the body by itself. However, the natural stimulant can do some wonders for the body that can help improve nutrition. For example, stimulants expand the blood vessels, which means increased circulation, more efficient oxygenation, and better nutrient absorption and delivery.  Of course, all of these things can also contribute to higher energy levels.  But stimulants are also helpful in that they can boost your metabolism and help you burn fat more effectively (between 10 and 29 percent improvement depending on your existing body fat percentage).

NUTRIENTS

While caffeine is not a nutrient, there are still many nutrients that you can get from consuming coffee.  For example, in just a single cup of coffee, you will enjoy:

  • 2 percent RDA of Magnesium
  • 2 percent RDA of Niacin
  • 3 percent RDA of Potassium
  • 3 percent RDA of Manganese
  • 6 percent RDA of Pantothenic Acid
  • 11 percent RDA of Riboflavin.

Most of these are B vitamins, which assist in metabolism and energy production. And, of course, if you drink more than one serving a coffee a day—as many do—you can multiply these benefits.

RISK REDUCTION

By drinking coffee, you could also enjoy a reduction in the risk for several age-related conditions. Study evidence is not entirely conclusive, but many suggest that regular coffee consumption can contribute to an improvement of:

  • up to 20 percent risk reduction for stroke
  • up to 40 percent risk reduction for various types of cancer
  • up to 50 percent risk reduction for Type II Diabetes
  • up to 53 percent risk reduction for depression
  • up to 60 percent risk reduction for Parkinson’s disease
  • up to 65 percent risk reduction for Alzheimer’s disease
  • up to 80 percent risk reduction for cirrhosis of the liver

Finally, these studies conclude—or, at least, suggest—that you can lower your risk of death by as much as 30 percent just by drinking coffee every day.

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Catering

Essential Items to Have When Hosting a Big Event

by Deng Bliven on

If you are planning a major event such as a family reunion or dinner party, you want to be sure that everything goes as planned. If you do not have the right amount of supplies available or enough food for all your guests, your party of the year could turn into a major disaster. Don’t allow all your planning to go to waste just because you forgot to order enough paper cups or disposable cutlery. Here are a few tips that can help you host the most memorable event of the season.

Always Expect More Guests to Arrive

Even if you sent out RSVPs and had a strict guest list and even if you only allow people inside with an invitation, you could still end up with more guests at your party than you realised. If you are not the type of host who wants to turn anyone away, you could run into a problem once the food and drinks are served. Be sure to add a few more supplies to your list for additional guests. If you don’t use them, you may be able to send them back or keep them around for your next big get-together.

Look for Wholesale Options When Ordering Supplies

Don’t spend your entire planning budget on catering supplies when you don’t have to. There are many ways to get the disposable forks, spoons, knives, and napkins that you need without paying the full retail price. Look online for wholesale supplies or visit wholesale locations where businesses such as restaurants and hotels purchase their supplies in bulk. You should be able to drastically reduce your costs by doing so.

Ask Friends to Help

If you would love to host the biggest dinner party of the year but don’t want to pay for attendants to serve the food, you can always ask your friends for help. Many people enjoy taking on this type of responsibility, especially if it is for a special event such as a wedding. Ask anyone on your friends list if they would like to volunteer, or you could present them with a thank you gift in the form of cash or a gift voucher.

Compare Prices to Get the Best Deal

If you are hiring a DJ or catering service, be sure to compare the prices of these services before you hire them. You could end up paying out much more than you anticipated and going over budget if you don’t. Always request to try out samples of the food you wish to have prepared to ensure that the food quality meets your standards and be sure to remember any diet restrictions or allergies that your party guests may have in order to prevent any issues once the food is served.

Have a Good Time

The one thing that any good party host should always remember is to take the time to enjoy himself or herself. After all, you are the one who did all the work and preparation for this big event; therefore, it is only fair that you get to enjoy the great food and good times with your closest friends and family members.

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