For most of us, the holidays are a time of both wonderful events and complicated projects to our busy daily schedules. Especially when the event is at your house.

Doug Petrie, owner of the Millennium Café, has over 30 years of catering experience, and says the secret for a successful holiday event is planning.

“Spend a few minutes imagining how the event will go and how you’d like it to flow,” Petrie advises. He also suggests making a list answering these questions: How many people will attend? This tells you how much food to consider and how much cooking effort may be involved. Buying too much food can be a costly mistake in terms of purchase, storage, and preparation. Petrie suggests that cooks figure at 1.5 pounds of meat and 4-5 ounces of vegetables and potatoes per person. He also points out that if you are serving turkey, there is a 40% loss for the carcass and the smaller turkey you buy, the bigger the loss.

What do you do best? Are you an expert at appetizers, desserts, or entrees? Utilize your talents! Think about color and nutrition—you are looking for balance. For example, more color in a vegetable means higher nutritional value. Vegetables partially cooked are the most digestible and the diner receives more vitamin and mineral intake. Sauté vegetables in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and sweet basil for a delicious side dish.

For a “hotter” meal, choose beef. Beef is a warmer metabolic food, so serving a salad balances the meal. Fill the salad with fresh cucumber and parsley, or fresh fruit like apple or pear slices. Fresh fruits, like sliced apple and pear, compliment a warm meal.

Desserts like fruit compote are good following a full meal. Also, dark chocolate is rich and delicious and small amounts go a long way. When you factor in the hidden costs and extra time required for planning, shopping, preparation and cooking, a holiday event can be more stressful than enjoyable. Consider the having the Millennium Café cater you holiday meal.

The Millennium Café has What You Need for Your Holiday Feast
View the complete catering menu or try a pie. Through December 30 you can place orders 2 days in advance, call 785 580-4441.

$8.95 for apple, blueberry, coconut cream, pumpkin, or sweet potato
$9.95 for cherry or pecan

This article was originally published in the December 2008 issue of connectnow, the library's monthly magazine and schedule of events.