Someone here was asking about a knife skills class in the Bay Area, and I just found one. Looks like she’s done classes before. Has anyone here taken one? I’d be tempted, except its the same day as Bay to Breakers,... (4 replies, last updated by The Chowhound Team May 13, 2005)

I want to develop dinner party menu skills... any advice from the seasoned experts? My current home is an eat in kitchen- not a formal dining room (which is used as a music room). I have a butlers pantry, but the oven is near the... (14 replies, last updated by Candy July 15, 2005)

I have to agree that cooking volume is a different and not trivial to pick up skill set. I suspect the missions will be scaled down with Symon as the host and be rendered “impossible” in other ways. (56 replies, last updated by AMFM August 28, 2008)

in probably 6 months the other night and she is irritating but does being cooking to a large forum. Others that he finds just unwatchable are Paula Dean and the semi-homemade person. He does like watching the hosts that take it on... (44 replies, last updated by rozz01 October 1, 2008)

to cook is that they believe it takes a lot of time, energy, and skill. Perhaps the first two are true – when you’re making something extravagant, or are hosting a dinner party. Cooking doesn’t have to be so... (142 replies, last updated by C. Hamster October 11, 2006)

Wow. She really is a bad host. But hosting is part learned skill and part natural good people skills... and for people who never learned past that “frat party stage” they really may mean well and simply be clueless. If... (105 replies, last updated by Rick August 20, 2008)

their hosting skills—that would not have even crossed my mind, but that’s just me! (24 replies, last updated by hipquest April 16, 2008)

I have been hosting Christmas at my home since 1987 and I do not have any relatives willing or capable (physically) of doing this. Not a large group any longer, around a dozen or so with possible drop in friends. I have a dilemma... (6 replies, last updated by LaLa December 4, 2008)

I’ve been asked to send “typical” American food to a host family in Chile. Some Annie’s Mac and Cheese, some mallomars, peanut butter, pop corn and ...... Any suggestions greatly appreciated. btw, I’ll... (9 replies, last updated by Dave MP June 11, 2007)

What should the host do about no-show guests? I had a dinner party this past weekend where I invited 8 guests. One couple did not show up after they e-mailed to say they were coming. I have not heard from them at all, not even an... (126 replies, last updated by queencru October 29, 2008)

are looking to host a tail party for a couple of hours...we don’t need to rent a room, we can be part of a larger lounge or bar. We have researched a few places that require a hefty deposit, 45 per person for food, and 2... (6 replies, last updated by Pei April 25, 2008)

Deutsche Welle TV has a program (in German) that features a host, 5 chefs, each preparing one course of a five course meal. Lots of banter, lots of interaction with the live audience – including passing the food around.... (174 replies, last updated by AngelSanctuary November 21, 2009)

My hubby and I were recently asked to come to a dinner party. When I asked the host what I could bring, he asked me to bring LASAGNA!!! He even told me the number of people coming so I would have enough! When I told my husband... (167 replies, last updated by eviemichael November 15, 2009)

My wife and I will be hosting both families for the first time this year, and we’ve been discussing what kind of turkey to buy. We both grew up on our parents' frozen turkeys at thanksgiving, but are now wondering if fresh... (33 replies, last updated by Sony Bob November 1, 2005)

I have mixed emotions on this one. What is your relationship to the host? Often when someone asks what they bring, the answer depends on who the guest is. We have a lot of friends we often have over and others who only come about... (211 replies, last updated by Caroline1 May 26, 2009)