Food Suggestions for an Open House

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses various food suggestions for an open house event, focusing on simple, easy-to-make finger foods that can be served while guests engage in demonstrations and explore other businesses. Participants share their personal experiences and favorite recipes that are suitable for such occasions.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, suggests PB Trifle and Chicken Chipotle Cornbread Cups as impressive options for an open house.
  • Another participant mentions the Greek torta and artichoke cups as good choices that feed many people.
  • One participant shares their experience with mini ham puffs, noting their ease of preparation and versatility with fillings.
  • Another participant enjoys making mini-quiches, highlighting their ability to be prepared ahead of time.
  • One participant mentions brownie truffle cups as a sweet option that can be made in advance and frozen.
  • Another participant recommends baked artichoke dip, emphasizing its ease of preparation and serving options.
  • One participant suggests warm nutty caramel brownies and taffy apple tarts as additional dessert ideas.
  • Another participant discusses caramel apple tartlets, sharing tips on preventing them from becoming hard when made ahead.
  • One participant mentions the possibility of making dips using pantry seasonings as another option.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of personal preferences and experiences with different food items, but no clear consensus emerges on a single best option.

Contextual Notes

The discussion is centered around food ideas specifically for an open house event, with an emphasis on ease of preparation and the ability to serve items that can be made ahead of time.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for food ideas for open house events may find the shared experiences and suggestions helpful.

T
tammithechef
Messages
2
Hello... I'm doing an open house with 3 other direct sales businesses next week and we're focusing on getting started early with holiday shopping.

Anyway - I am doing the food and I want some really simple, easy to make and inexpensive ideas for finger food that people can sample while they are watching my demo's and wandering around the other businesses. I don't necessarily want to demo this food, but have it there for guests to eat.

My actual demo's will be focused around "Homemade For The Holidays." I wanted to do several of the recipes that were in this months consultant news.

Anyway, anyone have something that they were able to make a lot of easily that was impressive to the guests?

Thanks!
Tammi
tammithechef :chef:
 
Well, it's not exactly "finger food", but the PB Trifle (from here) is awesome, makes a ton and is impressive! I also made the Chicken Chipotle Cornbread Cups for my Open House and LOVE those, especially for a Homemade for the Holidays show b/c they are red and green and gold, very festive looking!
 
The greek torta is really good and feeds a lot of people. The artichoke cups are very good too and easy.
 
Humble Beginnings said:
The greek torta is really good and feeds a lot of people. The artichoke cups are very good too and easy.
Click to expand...


How about the mini ham puffs from All The Best Cookbook? They are sooooo easy and I made the filling ahead in the CBB and then just baked them...the crust is cresent dough cut and placed in the mini muffin pan. Oh, and you could use turkey in the place of ham if you wanted.
 
Last edited:
Love to do the greek torta too, as it can be made ahead and serves alot. I also like to do the mini-quiches, you can do alot of the prep ahead and then cook them at the last minute, but they are also good cold.

For sweet I have done the brownie truffle cups ALOT as you can easily double the recipe and also you can freeze them with the ganache on so they can also be made ahead, and then when you need them thaw and garnish (if you want, they are good without a garnish IMO). DO you see a theme here, LOL!

The apple berry salsa with cinnamon chips is also very good. Yum!!

For a different kind of dip, I have a really yummy baked artickoke dip (cream cheese, artichoke, mayo, parmesan) that is super easy and so good. It can be made ahead then baked when you need it. I serve it with triscuits or carr's water biscuits (crackers). It can also be microwaved to re-heat it if necessary. I have to admit, I did the bread bowl artichoke dip and did not think it was anything special. Let me know if you want the recipe, or maybe there is a PC equivalent that I don't know about!

HTH, I'm sure there are more things I can think of!
 
What about the warm nutty caramel brownies? They make a big pan and you could cut them as small as you like. The taffy apple tarts would be good too.
 
how about the carmerl apple tartlets- you can make them ahead, and they are YUMMO
 
Yes the Apple Tartlets are really good and cute!

Some have said that the Apple Tartlets get "hard" because of the 1/2 caramel piece at the bottom of the tartlet if you make them ahead and they cool.

Based on advice I got here, I use the Caramel chips instead of the caramel at the bottom of the tart. They can be made ahead and do not get hard.

Or, my director made them using ONLY 1/4 piece of the caramel and they did not get hard when cooled.

Haven't tried them yet, but what about the new Turtle Pretzel candies on the Homemade for the Holidays for this year?

You could also make up some dips using our pantry seasonings (Dill Dip, SW dip, Chipotle Dip etc).
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of food should I serve at a Pampered Chef open house?

For a Pampered Chef open house, consider serving a variety of appetizers, finger foods, and small bites that showcase the versatility of the products. Options like dips, cheese platters, mini quiches, and skewers are great choices. Additionally, include some sweet treats like cookies or brownies to satisfy the guests' sweet tooth.

How can I incorporate Pampered Chef products into the food I serve?

Utilize Pampered Chef tools and cookware to prepare and serve your food. For example, you can use the stoneware for baking, the food chopper for prepping ingredients, and the mix n' chop for making dips. Highlighting these products during the preparation will demonstrate their functionality and encourage guests to consider purchasing them.

Should I consider dietary restrictions when planning the menu?

Yes, it's important to consider dietary restrictions to ensure all guests feel included. Offer a variety of options, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free items. Label each dish clearly to inform guests about the ingredients, and consider asking attendees ahead of time if they have any specific dietary needs.

How much food should I prepare for the open house?

A good rule of thumb is to plan for about 6-8 small bites per person for a two-hour event. If you expect 10 guests, prepare enough food for 60-80 bites. It's always better to have a little extra than to run out, as leftovers can be enjoyed later or shared with guests as they leave.

Can I ask guests to bring a dish to share?

While it's possible to ask guests to bring a dish, it’s generally better to provide all the food yourself to maintain control over the menu and presentation. However, if you do choose to have a potluck-style event, make sure to coordinate with guests to avoid duplicate dishes and ensure a variety of options are available.

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