Serving Tips

Encourage your friends to graze on game night. Set out plates that are just 7 to 8 inches in size and suggest guests select a few items at a time. No need to overload the plate and have things dripping off the side with the spread close at hand for replenishing. The goal is to keep the food’s footprint on the game table to a minimum.

For a smaller crowd and a handful of recipes, go ahead and put everything out at once just as guests are showing up. But for a bigger group and larger menu, consider setting foods out in waves, starting with lighter/cold/snacky items at the beginning, then moving on to more filling salads/seafoods/meats an hour later, with sweets to finish. There’s no rush at all, no need to get the eating out of the way. A languorous, easygoing pace encourages your friends to nibble and relax—it’s the whole point of an integrated food-and-games night!