Party planner

There’s an art to planning a meal everyone will love, but follow our expert tips and you’ll get it right, every time

How to plan the perfect menu

• LOOK AT THE COMPONENTS OF YOUR MEAL

Avoid repetition – if you’re making a starter with pastry, don’t do a lemon tart for pudding. It’s fine to have a fish starter and fish main course, but make sure the flavours complement each other. It’s also worth sticking to one cuisine; a Thai salad, followed by a British roast and an Indian spiced dessert make for a confused palate.