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Brunch has a reputation for being a breezy way to spend a mid-morning with friends and yummy food. But if you’re the one hosting, that easygoing vibe can feel like a tall order. Coordinating a mid-morning meal means thinking ahead, setting the tone early (literally), and striking the right balance between effort and ease.
Set the invite at a time that works for you (if you like to sleep in, 9 a.m. is hardly the time to serve visitors a scramble), mix up a morning playlist, and get ready to entertain. Just keep a few notes to keep top of mind: These are things never to do before hosting brunch.
- Michael King, professional chef at Sungold in Brooklyn, NY
- Mark Bucher, co-owner of Manhattan’s Medium Rare restaurant
- Diago Asmal, professional chef at Frena in New York City
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Preparing to host on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. Wake up in time to enjoy your coffee and eat a little food before preparing to host guests. No one likes a hangry host!
On that note, many guests may not eat before they attend your brunch, so have breakfast drinks and some nibbles ready upon arrival. A fruit salad, small yogurt parfaits, pastries, or smoothies in shot glasses all work as an easy morning welcoming bite.
Don’t Wait Until the Morning Of
“Never leave all the prep for the day of. Hosting brunch already comes with pressure,” says professional chef Michael King. “The last thing you want is to be running around or ignoring your guests because you’re behind.”
If dishes are dirty at night, run the dishwasher and make sure the sink is clear for a blank slate in the morning. “Do as much as you can the day before so you’re not breaking a sweat when people arrive,” says King.
Don’t Wing Your Hollandaise
While experimentation in the kitchen can be great, your hosted brunch isn’t the time to try something new. “Making eggs Benedict might seem like a power move, but don’t do it if you haven’t mastered Hollandaise,” King advises. “As Anthony Bourdain once said, ‘hollandaise smells fear and uncertainty’.”
Stick to offerings you’ve confidently made before to prevent stress and emergency backup dishes. “Unless you’re sure of your technique, make soft scrambled eggs instead,” says King.
Avoid the Frozen Route
Mark Bucher, co-owner of Medium Rare in Manhattan, is against serving frozen breakfast foods at brunch. “They taste bland and rubbery. If you’re not making them fresh, skip them altogether,” he says.
To make things easier, whip up the batter in advance and add it to a squeeze bottle to easily disperse it into a griddle or waffle iron.
Don’t Plate Individual Servings
“When hosting a brunch, try to avoid committing to serving overly complicated dishes,” says chef Diago Asmal. “Instead, focus on visually appealing options that can easily accommodate all guests.”
Asmal recommends setting up platters of food that are easily assembled. Think: charcuterie boards, fruit salads, and self-service stations. “This serving style is typically preferably to more composed dishes like Benedicts or steak and eggs,” says Asmal. These noshes work for one or two guests, but they’re more difficult to serve to large groups.
Don’t Imitate Your Favorite Fancy Restaurant
“Avoid setting up a DIY omelette bar,” Bucher says. “It sounds fun, but turns chaotic fast. Guests end up waiting, ingredients run out, and your kitchen becomes a mess.”
And on that note, skip the takeout too. “Don’t order delivery for brunch,” adds Bucher. “Brunch is about the experience. Delivery food shows up lukewarm and lacks the fresh, welcoming touch that makes brunch special.”
Don’t Overdo the Drinks
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For both you and your guests, a bottomless brunch can get, well, messy. Pre-batch mimosas, bellinis, or Bloody Marys so you can control the alcohol content (if you’re serving liquor) or limit the party to a few bottles of bubbly until you’re out.
This can help you host with a clear head and prevent guests from going overboard too early in the day. Offer a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, too (like juices, kefir, iced tea, iced coffee, and hot drinks), to keep everyone happy and hydrated.