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Welcome to the latest edition of Come On Over<\/strong>, Food52 editorial director Julie Vadnal’s newsletter that’s all about hosting gatherings big and small\u2014without losing your cool. Got company? Sign up here<\/a> for her emails.<\/em><\/p>\n When I first starting having people over in my 20s, my biggest fear was always: Will there be enough food? As a result, I\u2019d make so many dishes that I wouldn\u2019t have time to shower, and guests would arrive to a home filled with entirely too many appetizers\u2014and a frazzled, cranky host. Since then, I\u2019ve learned that, as the person hosting, you set the tone. The better prepared you are, the more relaxed everyone will be, including yourself.<\/p>\n No one is staring at the stain on your rug, or the askew art on your walls. Vacuum the floors, make your bed, and wipe down the bathroom\u2014then turn off the overheads. Candlelight, even the LED kind, just makes everything (and everyone) look better.<\/p>\n You do not want to be stuck at the stovetop during your own party, trust me. For a dinner party, make a meal you can pop in the oven when friends arrive: slow-roasted salmon with a salad is a favorite of mine. For a cocktail party, one giant grazing board can be a full dinner.<\/p>\n
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