Behind the Scenes: My Daughter’s Birthday Party Prep

When we were kids, birthdays didn’t mean going out to a restaurant – we simply didn’t do that. Not only was it outside our means, but there was never any real desire for it either. Mum was so resourceful and took such pride in creating something special at home. The smell of a roast in the oven, the love and care poured into a spit roast turning for hours, salads lined up on the table, the happy buzz of family catching up in the kitchen – it wasn’t fancy, but it was ours.

It’s a tradition I’ve kept alive. In the early days, hosting felt like hard work – the first few times I entertained, I honestly wondered how Mum made it look so effortless. These days, I’ve learned a few tricks to make it far less stressful. The more I can do ahead of time, the better!

For my little girl’s 9th birthday last weekend, I prepped ahead so we could put together a beautiful spread without running myself ragged. (I won’t lie – it still took effort and energy – but it was a calmer, happier kind of energy. No stress, no rush.)

We started with delicious arancini (an exclusive recipe from my debut cookbook The Simple Dinner Edit – although I’ve included an equally delicious alternative below), plus a little charcuterie board (with hot salami, fennel salami and prosciutto) and toasted sourdough with olive oil, balsamic, and a sprinkle of salt for dipping. These can be arranged in advance and left in the fridge, ready to go – all I had to do was toast the bread when guests arrived. The arancini are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and no one would ever guess they weren’t fresh from the oven. The charcuterie kept everyone happy while I raced around pouring drinks, greeting guests, and putting the finishing touches on lunch.

The main spread was simple but generous: a big batch of fried rice, creamy potato salad, sticky soy chicken wings, and a creamy mushroom sauce – all made ahead – served alongside steaks and sausages cooked on the barbecue. I also prepped a crisp cabbage salad and a leafy salad mix the day before, so all I had to do was dress them before serving.

The hero recipes are linked below, along with all my make-ahead tips so you can have them ready when you need them. Everyone had plenty of variety, everything looked and tasted beautiful, and the best part? I actually got to sit down, eat cake, and enjoy the day.

These recipes are perfect for birthdays, BBQs, or any time you want to feed a crowd without missing the fun yourself. And if you want even more inspiration, nearly all of these dishes appear in my debut cookbook The Simple Dinner Edit – they’re real-life recipes I cook all the time – and you’ll also find a whole chapter dedicated to entertaining in my latest book, Simple Dinners Every Day.

Mushroom Arancini

These Mushroom Arancini will steal the show with cheesy, molten centres and crunchy coating. They are perfect to prepare ahead, ready for when you’re next celebrating!

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Potato Salad

This easy and delicious Potato Salad makes the ideal side for so many meals year-round as you can serve it warm or cold. You can also make it ahead of time when you are busy.

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Easy Fried Rice

Easy Fried Rice makes a lovely light meal on its own, or you can serve it as a side to an Asian-inspired meal.

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Sticky Soy Chicken Wings

These addictive Sticky Soy Chicken Wings are economical, easy to prepare and are just as good for serving as party appetisers as they are for wholesome family dinners.

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Creamy Mushroom Sauce

This is the only mushroom sauce recipe you’ll ever need. It’s creamy, garlicky and full of flavour – ready in 15 minutes and made with everyday ingredients. Pour Creamy Mushroom Sauce over schnitzels, steak, pasta or even mash and you’re winning at dinner.

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