Preparing a spread for a family reunion could be very tricky. You have to consider the food preferences of a wide range of guests while planning the food: You might have a vegetarian cousin, a tita on a strict diet, and a nephew who’s bound to eat nothing but fried chicken. In addition, you’ll also have to consider the amount of time you have to whip up a feast worthy of your relatives’ discriminating tastes. Such a culinary endeavor may seem very daunting, but according to Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou, it doesn’t have to be as stressful as you think it will be. Read on to see his dish suggestions for a hassle-free, no-stress get-together.

1. SOMETHING FRESH AND LIGHT
“I’d always have a salad. One sort of salad. For me, two sorts of salad. One light and vinaigrette-based, and one can probably be a macaroni salad that’s mayo-based, a macaroni or potato salad.”

2. SOMETHING ROASTED
“I love roast chicken. It’s such a simple thing to do, and it’s something that pleases a lot of people.”

3. SOMETHING STEWED
“I’d have a stew, probably a beef stew. It’s so easy to do, you just put it in a pot, let it boil, then just leave it there.”

4. SOMETHING PAN-FRIED
“If it’s a small group, like if you only have five or six guests, you could always have something pan-fried, like pork cutlets, something quick.”

5. SOMETHING PREPARED BEFOREHAND
“For me, you should always have something prepared ahead of time and something that you’d do on the spot, so it makes the guests feel special, it makes them feel that you prepared for them. You can probably make an embutido or a meatloaf.”

(Photo by Mike Dee)