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Host a dinner without the last-minute panic
Get a menu, shopping list and backwards cooking timeline so everything is ready at the same time.
When to use it
A few days before you host
Step by step
Note your guests and limits
Write down how many people are coming, their dietary needs, your budget and what kitchen equipment you have.
Get a menu and timeline
Paste this prompt into your AI assistant.
Prompt to copyI'm hosting [number] people for [lunch/dinner] on [day] and want to eat at [time]. Dietary needs: [vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.]. Budget: about [amount]. I have [one oven, four hobs]. Suggest a [3]-course menu where most things can be made ahead. Then give me: 1) a shopping list by aisle; 2) a make-ahead list for the day before; 3) a timeline for the day counting backwards from serving time, including when to set the table.Set timeline reminders
Add the key timeline points as reminders on your phone, like 'Potatoes in oven' at 6:10pm.
What you get
Menu: mushroom & lentil pie (everyone, GF pastry), honey-roast carrots, lemon posset. Day before: make possets, fill pie. 5:30pm pie in oven. 6:10pm carrots in. 6:45pm greens on. 7:00pm serve. Shopping: veg - 1kg carrots, 500g chestnut mushrooms...
Tips
- Ask guests about allergies in advance and keep the packaging so you can check ingredients if asked.