These recipes are a collection of some of my favorites from my time as a private chef and caterer. I love serving family-style feasts so guests can try a little bit of everything.

Each recipe is designed to come together easily, with most of the prep done ahead of time (up to 2 days before!), so you relax the day of the event and enjoy your gathering.

Vegetable Salads for family style feasts

Depending on the menu style and theme, I always aim to incorporate 1-2 vegetable salads to brighten the dinner spread. These add freshness when paired with heavier, more indulgent main dishes.

Leafy Green Greek Saladcucumbers cut in half moon in a bowlCucumber Avocado Salada plate full of colorful tomatoes, peaches, burrata, and basilStonefruit Burrata Caprese Saladsmashed cucumbersSmashed Cucumber Salad

Dips and Sauces for a Crudités Board

One of the simplest ways to have a make ahead starter. These dips are beautiful and delicious, and pair well with veggies and crackers.

Beet Ricotta Hummus with Crudite (Raw Veggies) Green Goddess Ranch DressingClassic Homemade Ranch DressingHummus bowls with beets, snap peas, and and feta cheese

Heavy Bites and Starters

For when you aren’t hosting a full on dinner, but want some hefty options to make sure people don’t go hungry.

a plate of eight sliders that are filled with meatballs, cheese, Peperoncini and cilantro garnish on the sideMonday Meatball SlidersCrispy Coconut Prawns on a brown plate and garnished with scallionsCrispy Coconut Prawns with Easy Tomato AioliChobap – Korean Rice Stuffed Tofu SkinsHerby Balsamic Chicken Skewers

Proteins and Mains

The proteins and mains are the star of any dinner party. These recipes are designed to be flavorful, reliable, and bring the whole menu together.

Ribeye cap with chimichurri garnished with cilantro on a plateRibeye Caps with ChimichurriSpicy Thai Garlic Shrimpa plate with broccolini, salmon, topped with tomato wedges and a pickled sauceSpiced Pickled Tomatoes on Easy Roast SalmonMediterranean Spiced Tofu Skewers

Starches / Carbs

The items everyone secretly loves. 1-2 of these on each dinner party menu is an absolute must in my books.

Crispy Fried Potatoesclose up of a plate of gnocchi with creamy mushroom and broccoliniCreamy Mushroom GnocchiCreamy Lemon, Garlic, and Herb Crab Pastaclose up of a pan of eggplant parm and basil garnishLighter Eggplant Parm

Desserts

Chocolate Bark with Toasted AlmondsFudge Crunch Ice Cream CakeClassic Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookiesdefault imageEntertaining Made Easy

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