Cooking is my love language, but entertaining may be the fullest expression of it. I’m the person who posts an open invitation for an impromptu barbecue, starts planning the holiday menu months in advance and sees a backyard gathering as an excellent excuse to try a new cut of meat, build an over-the-top spread or finally pull out a piece of kitchen equipment I’ve been itching to use.
I love eating while I travel, but I’m just as happy cooking at home—especially when there are friends and family to enjoy with. And while conventional wisdom says you should always cook what you know when hosting, I think that’s baloney. With a little research and preparation, a party can be the perfect opportunity to flex your culinary muscles, experiment with something new and have fun doing it.
