Elevate Your Holiday Entertaining with These Tips from Entertaining Expert, Michelin Chef, and Caterer Meg Walker

Entertaining during the holidays is overwhelming. Between cooking, decorating, catching up with family members and making sure that no one’s glass is empty, anyone can use tips to get them through the holiday season. Luckily, CEO and Executive Chef of MBM Hospitality, as well as operator / exclusive caterer to the iconic La Venta Inn wedding venue in Palos Verdes Estates, CA, Meg Walker, has shared her essentials to stress-free holiday hosting.

From years of gourmet catering experience and personal parties she has hosted, Meg has laid out a few key things to remember before, during and after the party:

When planning the party, think about:

Serve a meal that fits the occasion: Never serve a meal that requires a fork and knife where guests don't have a place to sit down. If it's a standing cocktail party, think of meals that just need a fork like pasta, salad or cut meats/vegetables.
Don't forget to stock up: Buy extra paper towels, trash bags and toilet paper. Your house is about to get more action than it might have gotten all year.
Sharpen your knives the day before the big day. A sharp knife cuts down on accidents!
No shame in bringing in a bit of help: Meg recently launched her approachable catering brand, Walker’s, for events like this. The Walker’s team simply drops off the meal without the fuss (or expense) of having a full catering company.

During the party, try to remember:

Never start cleaning before people leave - it's a sign the party is over. Instead, set out trash cans so guests know what to do with their trash. Put extra bags in the bottom of the bin for a quick and easy switch or avoid forgetting to put in a new bag and ending up with a gross trash can without a bag.
Send guests home with a little treat to remember the night: Meg usually goes for her Spiced Pumpkin Bread that she has perfected over the years. If you are interested, she can share the recipe!