Under Promise, Over Deliver

Under promise, over deliver.
My newest favorite saying as told to me by a very successful business man on the concept/theme of his business model. I like to think that this tag line relates to everything in life. However, I like the: over promise, over deliver. In most cases this is where you get into trouble, because in the end you have to back your shi* up.

Case in point. My father's 67th birthday party. He was so excited I was going to cook dinner for his close friends in where he can showcase his daughter's cooking skills. (you know how parents get...) So I accepted the challenge and told mom and dad I didn't want any Filipino food on the table and thus created a international -mostly seafood menu. (*white rice was available, didn't want to shock the elders too much.)

Paella- clams, shrimp, chicken, chorizo, peas and saffron.



1. When planning a dinner party for 30 people, make sure that your menu isn't too ambitious for the kitchen you're working with. I learned this the hard way. Nope, my parents don't have a Wolf Range, convection oven or a hood system for that matter. Searing meats in the house totally smoked us all out. LOL. I didn't have a personal dishwasher for all the pots and pans I was going through. And worse off, I had to cook on an electric stove top; yes, I am working on changing it to gas.

2. Enlist the help of everyone who is capable of using a knife without scaring you. Thankfully, my family are wonderful cooks and my personal prep-cooks when I'm in charge. :)

3. Remind yourself that you aren't a chef in a restaurant and therefore can't yell at them when you ask for brunoise carrots and get small dice instead or do something that isn't perfect. (I laugh at my crazy self.)

4. When you see yourself getting into the "shits" (kitchen talk) call a buddy who happens to be a fellow chef. Whew! Thank God. Back up arrived before I lost my mind. Below, Jayme and I plating dinner or perhaps, giggling at the fact of how crazy I am for thinking I could cook all these dishes solo or maybe just stuffing our faces with roast beef tid bits. yum!

5. Breathe and enjoy. The whole point of cooking for your family is because you love it. Dad's smile was so worth it!

My Lesson learned. Plan carefully. Open those blinders - just because you have the skill doesn't mean you can have the same result without the proper equipment.