6 entertaining hacks: How to rock your next hosting gig

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Be French about it

The French like to keep things simple, and you can, too, when entertaining at home. Follow their lead with a casual evening of wine and cheese degustation. Simply put together an elegant cheese plate, and garnish with fresh fruits, jams and nuts. 

Choose a variety of hard and soft cheeses for different tastes and textures. 4 or 5 will do. Plan for about 4 to 6 ounces of cheese per person, and be selective about the bread. French baguette is the obvious choice, but you can also set out crostini or sturdy crackers.

Serve the cheeses at room temperature, and place them on a cutting board with toothpick labels so everyone can see what they're tasting.

Some serving suggestions: Goat's cheese (Chèvre) with fig jam, Camembert drizzled with honey, Brie with crushed walnuts, Blue cheese (Roquefort) with grapes, Comté with dried fruits

And don't forget the wine, of course. To reduce costs, ask your guests to bring a bottle. Reds, whites or rosés, whatever they prefer!