My food blog, which has just celebrated its second birthday, was created to inspire its readers to entertain at home, so they can experience the joy associated with having guests. In the past 2 years, entertaining made easy has provided its readers with a myriad of recipes, tips and hints, ideas and articles – all designed to take the stress and guesswork out of entertaining. Reflecting on the past 24 months, I felt it was time to take a step back and talk about the basic elements of entertaining - the keys to making your occasion as enjoyable for you as it is for your guests.

Friends enjoying themselves at a Fondue Party

[Read more →]

It seems most people are watching their pennies these days, and dining-in has become the option of choice to get together with friends and family. However, having guests can be a costly exercise if you don’t plan your menu wisely. Is it possible to serve an impressive meal whilst still keeping a check on your budget? Yes it is! The following winter entertaining ideas should provide you with some inspiration: [Read more →]

Every year my husband and I throw a party around Christmas time. It’s a great way to catch up with our friends before Christmas and share some festive hospitality. Continuing this tradition, last weekend we hosted 40+ of our closest friends.  It was a warm summer evening, drinks were flowing, food disappeared before I could refill the platters and everyone was in good spirits.  My type of party!  [Read more →]

Over the past few weeks I have read a number of articles from various sources stating that the dinner party is making a comeback. After it took a nosedive in the 90’s, home entertaining appears to be alive and well. The general consensus seems to be that this is due largely to the economic downturn, but also that people are enjoying purchasing from the ever-expanding available selection of quality produce to impress their guests. [Read more →]

Welcome to my blog, on all that is entertaining. My intention is to inspire you to entertain by sharing experiences and providing articles, recipes, helpful tips and hints on all elements of entertaining. I am passionate about entertaining, which I have been doing for over 20 years, and am of the belief that the ultimate compliment you can pay anyone is to prepare them a meal from the heart. I believe that entertaining should be a joy, not a chore, and I want to inspire people to entertain.

I am not a trained chef – I am a self-taught cook. I have an extensive collection of cookbooks and subscribe to numerous food magazines, and my skills have been developed through trial and error. In my experience, people’s reluctance to entertain is often because they feel that the lack cooking skills, but to quote from the movie Ratatouille, “anyone can cook”!

It is my opinion that one of the key fundamentals to successful entertaining is being organised and advance preparation. By having the majority of the food prepared in advance, you are left free to enjoy yourself and the company of your guests. Who wants to feel like a kitchen slave while their guests are drinking their expensive champagne?

My blog will provide plenty of useful tips and hints to get you out of your kitchen and into your party. Please have a look at my website www.lifesafeast.com.au where you will find a number of interesting and useful articles. I also publish a free monthly newsletter, called entertaining made easy – click here to subscribe.

Gail