Planning and executing a special event at home can be a daunting task. From curating the menu and shopping for ingredients to juggling décor, timing, and clean-up, it’s easy for hosts to feel overwhelmed before the first guest even arrives. But with the right approach, hosting can feel more manageable, letting you focus on the experience.
Owner and Executive Chef Kevin McCombs of House Cured Culinary, a personal chef service in Northwest Arkansas, has spent more than a decade crafting inventive, high-end dining experiences for clients in their own homes.
Chef McCombs offers a few tips designed to ease the stress of hosting and help take your gathering to the next level.
1. Prior Preparation is Key
Plan a menu that includes a dish or two that can be prepared a day in advance.
An easy course to check off the day before is dessert. Chocolate mousse, cheesecake, tortes, and pies are all delectable dishes that hold well. For the main course, braised meats such as short ribs or coq au vin make for great fall and winter dishes that can be prepared in advance, and actually need the extra time for optimal flavor.
“It’s best to allow these types of meats to completely cool in their braising liquid to ensure they are tender and juicy,” Chef McCombs says. “Then you’re all set up for an easy reheat when it’s time to serve.”
2. Hit the Easy Button
When it comes to appetizers, a popular choice with his clients is the charcuterie board, complete with a selection of meats, cheeses, fresh fruits, nuts, jams, mustards, and pickled vegetables. No cooking required, just a quick assembly.
3. Write Out Your Menu & Schedule
Not only should you write out your menu and grocery list once finalized, but also write out a timeline for your day. Start with dinnertime and work backwards, giving yourself ample time to complete your tasks.
“You may think if you start early, you’ll have plenty of time. But writing out a schedule for the day will keep you on track and not let time get away from you,” Chef McCombs says.
4. Elevate Your Plate
Create Instagram-worthy plates by adding a few finishing touches to your dish. Use garnishes that complement the flavors of the food you are serving to add color to the plate. A drizzle of herb oil, sliced cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, or a red wine reduction can add the perfect finishing touch.
“If there is no texture to a plate, consider adding a nut or crispy garnish such as thinly sliced fried carrots or leeks,” Chef McCombs says. “The mentality of plating is high and tight—keep food tight in the center and strive to build up instead of out.”
Throwing plates into the oven for a few minutes to warm them prior to plating is a must to keep hot food hot.
4. Don’t Go Overboard on the Centerpieces
One thing Chef McCombs says he sees often are overcrowded dinner tables. Keep the decor elegant but simplistic, allowing room for the dishes to be passed around during a family-style meal. Tall centerpieces can often limit guests from interacting with each other across the table.
5. Hire a Personal Chef
Want to spend more time with your guests instead of cooking? Hire a personal chef. Once tied mainly to tourist destinations or luxury lifestyles, personal chefs are growing in demand as more people realize the convenience of effortless at-home gatherings—at a cost comparable to dining out.
Unlike a catering service, personal chefs cook everything onsite—the food is fresh, and the experience is interactive.
“Hospitality has always been part of who I am,” Chef McCombs says. “I love interacting with my clients while I cook—answering questions, sharing tips, and creating a memorable experience that goes beyond just the food.”
The best part? After dinner service, the kitchen is left cleaner than when he arrived, leaving clients free to unwind.
Executive Chef Kevin McCombs of House Cured Culinary
House Cured Culinary is based in Rogers, but serves the entire Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri region. From intimate family meals to larger gatherings, he has perfected the art of creating seamless, memorable culinary events.
Chef McCombs received his culinary degree from Colorado Mountain College’s Keystone Culinary Institute and has over two decades of experience in the industry. He created House Cured Culinary in 2013 after working as an executive chef for many years.
Learn more at housecuredculinary.com, or book your service today by emailing chefkevinmccombs@gmail.com or calling 970-389-4782.