If cooking fish, which cooks quickly and can overcook quickly, I put it in after guests arrive and have begun a beverage.

For something that bakes and takes long and where timing is not so delicate, I’d preheat and put the item in the oven before guests arrive.

For cookies for dessert, I’d have them ready on the pan, but place in the oven when clearing the main course. I also pre portion ice cream in the freezer and have coffee pot ready to press a button.

It can’t be “done” when people arrive because then it would sit for an hour.

I have it prepped.

People arrive for a drink and appetizers.

I excuse myself to finish the meal and then serve it.

There are dishes that can sit like smoked meats if you don’t know how to navigate that type of entertainment.

We do the prep, heavy lifting before guests arrive and then try to just do the finishing when we want food ready. Usually 30-60 minutes after the arrival time. Just have fun and roll with it though.

I had food cooking but not ready. We sit and chat have some drinks and eat maybe 30 mins later. I choose a menu that does not involve much last minute so I can enjoy my evening.

I like to have the food ready or in the final stage of cooking when my dinner 🍽️ guests arrive.

It depends on the timing and type of party. I plan what I'm cooking based on that. For example, I'm not going to have my guests eating appetizers while I'm in the kitchen cooking because that's no fun, so either I'll do something that needs to be in the oven so it's ready when we all sit down or I'll hire someone to make it.

Totally depends. With our friends, we socialize for a while before dinner and as a result have either prepped things that are easily made, or make things that don't take much time. All our friends' houses and ours are set up where we can hang out in the kitchen while prep is being done. It's just very laid back.

If we were doing a more formal get together or getting together with people with the specific intent of having dinner, we would have food basically ready to go

Depends on what you're preparing.

Only rule is prepare it fresh, unless it's beef bourguignon or similar dish that needs time to settle.

Start right now.

Appetizers are ready when people arrive. Dinner food is ready but may be in the oven cooking or warming or we'll grill. Maybe assemble the salad (ingredients already prepped).

If your bbqing than you put out chips/dips, friuit and appetizers before and start cooking as people arrive and during arrival. Now for an indoor get together depending on what occasion its for. You can have food ready when people arrive but who wants to eat as soon as you arrive because most will want to socialize first then eat.

Whether indoor or outdoor i always have things for everyone to eat/snack on when they arrive. I prepare the food and have food cooking while everyone's arriving so i can socialize. I make things that can simmer or be left cooking in the oven so it doesn't take alot of my time besides for taking them out and putting in bowls/trays.

Food should be ready by the time your guests arrive.

When having people over, do you want to have the food ready when people get there or cook while people are there?