Drink and be thankful to the host! What seems insignificant when you have it, is important when you need it.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The most important thing for me is to really buy the best ingredient.
Keep your eyes open. Make mistakes - because you will anyway - and remember that small stuff stinks but that it's also essential.
One thing you don't want to do as a host is be running around all evening. Do as much as you can ahead of time, so all you have to do is grill the main ingredients.
As we say in the American Institute of Wine and Food, small helpings, no seconds. A little bit of everything. No snacking. And have a good time.
The most important thing for having a party is that the hostess is having fun. I'm very organized. I make a plan for absolutely everything. I never have anything that has to be cooked while the guests are there. The only thing I might have to do is take something out of the oven and carve it.
Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you.
Whatever you do may seem insignificant to you, but it is most important that you do it.
If you can't eat it, shoot it, or wear it, don't bring it.
Serious illness doesn't bother me for long because I am too inhospitable a host.
I've got a stag weekend coming up and I've said I'm not doing anything more than a few drinks. I won't have it. I'll go home and watch Antiques Roadshow.