International guests for dinner

[riverwed070707]

Next month we will be hosting a group of international business men and women for dinner. They are from various countries across asia. We will be hosting 4-7 guests (depending on whether we decide to split them into two groups or have everyone dine together). I know there are some foodies and at-home chefs on this board. Wondering what you would serve for such a group?? This is my first time hosting and I'm a little nervous but mostly excited. I plan to spend some time this month testing recipes and would love to hear your favorite dishes to serve to a group. My cooking skills are moderately advanced so I'm not opposed to trying something a little challenging but I do want to keep it relatively budget friendly and not do something too over the top. I don't really have a signature dish or something I always serve for company so any ideas would be appreciated!!

Further, since we just have them for dinner, I assume it makes sense to do courses. Would you just do a salad, entree and dessert or would you go more elaborate and include appetizers? Or would you do appetizers and then serve salad with the meal?? I've never cooked for anyone but family and we're not that fancy so I could use some schooling in etiquitte too! haha

[riverwed070707]

Also, what would you serve for beverages? Is just wine ok from an alcohol standpoint? We don't really drink soda in our house or anything -- what would be customary to have on hand for non-alcoholic beverages?

[snafu]

I find the biggest problem with International visitors are food restrictions, some don't eat pork, others don't eat beef and some are vegetarians. Most of our guests are delighted to be in our home to see how we live in comparison to what they imagined. They snoop in the bathroom cabinets. If they've never been in N America, make your family's favorite. Depending on the numbers it can be budget friendly to do Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings...so American. Roast a chicken if turkey is too much bird. My 2nd suggestion is home made baked Onion Soup, French bread, BBQ whole salmon fillet [for looks] or baked in parchment paper, chef green salad, Waldorf salad [only in America], favorite vegetable. Fruit is safe for dessert but I usually make a dessert. Apple crisp and ice cream goes over well and if it's around Valentine's Day I suggest Red Velvet cake with too much Cream Cheese icing.

If they drink alcohol, a nice, light, dry white wine and end with coffee and liqueur plus tea.

just a thought...

[snafu]

If from PR China, I suggest their very mild Tsing Tao beer and Green tea as beverage.

[marvholly]

For international guests I would go w/a VERY american menu. BBQ burgers & hot dogs if weather allows. Steak or roast beef or roast chicken/turkey if cooking indoors.

I would make appropriate sides that non-meat eaters could fill up on such as salad, potato, veggies (green bean cassarole/sweet corn)........Desert is a MUST for me.

depending on what you end up serving I would probably just do wine w/dinner and maybe beer (BBQ meal).

I would not worry about trying to prepare what they eat at home. You can NEVER make it as well as their mothers make it.

[riverwed070707]

I find the biggest problem with International visitors are food restrictions, some don't eat pork, others don't eat beef and some are vegetarians. Most of our guests are delighted to be in our home to see how we live in comparison to what they imagined. They snoop in the bathroom cabinets. If they've never been in N America, make your family's favorite. Depending on the numbers it can be budget friendly to do Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings...so American. Roast a chicken if turkey is too much bird. My 2nd suggestion is home made baked Onion Soup, French bread, BBQ whole salmon fillet [for looks] or baked in parchment paper, chef green salad, Waldorf salad [only in America], favorite vegetable. Fruit is safe for dessert but I usually make a dessert. Apple crisp and ice cream goes over well and if it's around Valentine's Day I suggest Red Velvet cake with too much Cream Cheese icing.

If they drink alcohol, a nice, light, dry white wine and end with coffee and liqueur plus tea.

just a thought...

LOVE the thanksgiving idea! Especially for a big group. Also love roasting chicken so its not something I have to work to perfect ahead

We will know food restrictions in advance so I'll be able to plan around those.

For international guests I would go w/a VERY american menu. BBQ burgers & hot dogs if weather allows. Steak or roast beef or roast chicken/turkey if cooking indoors.

I would make appropriate sides that non-meat eaters could fill up on such as salad, potato, veggies (green bean cassarole/sweet corn)........Desert is a MUST for me.

depending on what you end up serving I would probably just do wine w/dinner and maybe beer (BBQ meal).

I would not worry about trying to prepare what they eat at home. You can NEVER make it as well as their mothers make it.

Also a great idea to do a BBQ. I'm in the midwest though and it might not be warm enough to do a bbq outdoors just yet. Defiitely keeping this in mind though. Will be great once the yard is green and we could actually dine outside. Totally agree on not trying to make something authentic. When I travel, I don't want American food, I want local food and I would assume our guests will feel the same.

[Harlem]

The idea of BBQ is really great. I think with all formal food this BBQ will bring a variation.

[DinoSaur]

For international guests I would go w/a VERY american menu. BBQ burgers & hot dogs if weather allows. Steak or roast beef or roast chicken/turkey if cooking indoors.

Woah, woah, woah!

I'm from the UK and I beg to differ than a roast dinner is VERY (or even slightly) American!

[riverwed070707]

Woah, woah, woah!

I'm from the UK and I beg to differ than a roast dinner is VERY (or even slightly) American!

lol

[elfen lied]

I think it would be really amazing if you connected China revolutionaries with revolutionaries in the Occupy Movement. Would be an amazing dialogue. Definitely support your project and voted for it. Heard about it on Couchsurfing! Good luck!

[riverwed070707]

Menu is set:

Mandarin salad
Feta stuffed butterfly chops over brown rice
Glazed sweet potatoes

Bread pudding for dessert. Did my trial run on this last night and it didn't come out quite as amzing as I'd hoped (bread was a bit soggy and it was kind of ... eggy? so I think I will use less eggs and cook it a bit longer for the big day) but still good and I'm going to give it a go anyway.

Just thought I'd share Thanks for everyones input!

[elessar78]

Totally agree. They're coming to America, give them stuff that's uniquely American. I did an exchange to France in college and when my counterpart came he wanted to eat: burger, fries, and milkshake. They hated cheesecake . Gasp!

As Thanksgiving is my favorite HOliday, I nominate doing a Thanksgiving dinner for them. With pie a la mode for dessert!