How To Host A Make-Ahead Party: The Basics

Since setting up our make-ahead group, I've received a number of inquiries about how other parents can host a make-ahead party of their own.  The beauty of a make-ahead party is that it's really quite simple to do, and doesn't require any special kitchens or equipment.  What's more, you and your guests will have just as much fun - and get just as much out of it - whether you host a one-time event, or make a ritual out of it.

What is a make-ahead party?  A make-ahead party happens anytime a group of people gather to prep-cook together, with the idea that the meals they make will be cooked and served at a later date.  The goal is for everyone to leave with several delicious, home-made meals that they can freeze and then enjoy at their leisure.

How does a make-ahead party work?  There are countless variations on the make-ahead party, and while we haven't tried all of them, here's what we have found works best for us.  Each mama chooses a make-ahead recipe to prepare for the group, and prepares that recipe in family portions, times the number of mamas coming!  So say, for example, that you have 6 mamas (including yourself) at a make-ahead party; each guest will prepare 6 family-sized servings of her chosen meal.  Then at the end of the party, each mama gets to take home 6 meals, one of each kind!

Great Plan.  Now how do I execute?  First, figure out how many guests you'll have.  We've discovered that a group of about 6-8 mamas works best, since that's about as many people as we can possibly fit in our puny little kitchens while maximizing the number of meals we'll get to take home.  Find out for sure who is coming at least a few days ahead of time, so that people know the final attendance number before they have to do all of their shopping.  Also, put together a list of any food allergies or sensitivities well ahead of the party and circulate to the group, so that they can plan their meals accordingly.  Finally, make sure everyone tells the group how to freeze their finished dish - in a freezer bag? or a covered casserole dish? plastic containers?  FoodSaver?  Send out plenty of reminders of what containers guests will need to bring to take their meals home in.  When scheduling, plan about 3-4 hours for your party.

It's that easy?  Yep!  You only have to think of and cook one recipe (albeit in large quantities), and you could get a week's worth of dinners, or more, out of the deal!  Not to mention, it's a great excuse to get together with other parents.

What else do I need to know?  While we've covered the basics of having a make-ahead party, we've learned a few "tricks of the trade" that will help your make-ahead party even better.  They include tips on handling kids during the party, handling allergies, finding recipes, and managing tools and resources during your party.  We're busy putting those together for you now, and we can't wait to share them soon!

Next step:  Dealing with Food Allergies