The holiday season is the most wonderful time of year for entertaining at home. Your decorations are already in place and play a backdrop for a festive gathering. Are you considering hosting a party to show off all the time you’ve put into trimming the tree, wrapping the mantel with garland and hanging wreaths on doors — not to mention cooking for the occasion — but think it’s too much work?
Shane Stone, owner and chef at Chattanooga’s High Haute Foods, says it’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to please the palates of a large crowd and make everyone happy.
“Hosts try to please everyone and accommodate every single guest’s likes and dislikes when planning a dinner party,” he says. “Having too many options can backfire and give your event a chaotic, unorganized atmosphere.”
A self-taught chef from the Midwest, Stone moved to Chattanooga in 2007 and got his footing in the culinary industry working off-site events while working fulltime in area restaurants. The spinoff of that was starting his own business as a personal chef and caterer. In January 2018, High Haute Foods got its start, and the holiday season quickly became its busiest.
“People are just in the mood to celebrate, and food is central to any gathering. Whether it be heavy hors d’oeuvres or a formal sit-down dinner, you can’t entertain a crowd without food,” Stone says. “Food brings people together in a way not much else can.”