Friday lunch with the whole family, a birthday or an Eid gathering: cooking for 15 or more people is a big job. The secret is doing as much as possible before the day.
Plan the menu
- Choose one main dish that cooks in bulk, such as machboos, biryani or grilled meat.
- Add two or three sides that can be made ahead.
- Include one salad and one dessert.
- Ask one or two relatives to bring a dish.
Two days before
- Shop for everything.
- Make spice mixes and sauces.
- Marinate meat. Vacuum-sealed bags help marinades work evenly and keep the fridge tidy. See the Food Vacuum Sealer (59 AED).
The day before: prep hacks
Peel garlic and fruit in minutes
Big gatherings need a lot of garlic. The 3-in-1 Electric Fruit and Garlic Peeler (99 AED) saves a lot of time and sticky fingers.
Grate and slice in bulk
A Table Top Drum Grater (59 AED) handles cheese, carrots and cucumbers quickly.
Chop all the onions
A Food Processor Chopper (79 AED) chops a whole bag of onions in minutes.
On the day
- Cook the main dish first.
- Set the table or sufra early.
- Keep hot food covered in a low oven.
- Serve salads at the last minute so they stay crisp.
Hosting guests in the majlis too? Read our majlis hosting checklist.