I'm constantly being asked about how to put on a successful dinner party. The first thing I would tell someone is to LISTEN. I'm referring not to the day of the party but from the first time you meet someone.

Think of your closest friends and family. Do you know what their favorite foods are? Even more importantly, I believe, do you know what foods they dislike or are allergic to? I always find that people are startled and are subsequently grateful that I have tailored a menu around their likes and dislikes.

I keep a computer file, a simple WORD document which lists the culinary preferences of people we might possibly entertain. Obviously, the most important aspect of this is allergies. A family member of ours suffers from a peanut allergy which could actually be deadly. By referring to my file, I can be reminded of this and therefore know not make a batch of peanut brittle to hand out for family holiday gifts. One of our dear friends is allergic to chocolate so I always make sure to have another dessert on hand if he is coming to a party at our house.

So how, you may ask, do you find out a person's culinary likes and dislikes? Just ask. I've yet to run across anyone who isn't interested in talking about their favorite foods.

--- © Chef Raven