How to Make a Mystery Dinner Menu

Preparation Is Key

• 1

  Select a theme and place setting for the mystery party. This will determine what kind of foods need to be served for the event.

• 2

  Decide if the mystery party should be a potluck event, or if you want to provide the meal yourself. Either choice is common for a mystery party.

• 3

  Assign each guest a particular kind of food to bring and tell them how many people the dish should feed for a potluck-style event.

• 4

  Settle on the length of the event before deciding any of the specific details about the menu. If the party is set for an entire weekend, select simple foods or plan to order takeout for at least two of the meals. This allows for more playing time, and less time that must be spent on cooking.

• 5

  Determine how many courses should be served at each meal. The theme of the party can greatly affect this decision. If the mystery is set in Italy, for example, plan the meal to follow an Italian menu. A typical Italian meal would consist of an appetizer, two main courses, a salad, and then a dessert.

• 6

  Select foods that directly relate to the party's theme. For example, if the mystery party has a medieval theme, select a main course that consists of roasted guinea fowl and and thick slabs of hearty bread.

• 7

  Choose drinks that pair well with the party's theme. For a mystery set in France, select sparkling grape juice, café au lait, or a herbal tea as part of the menu.

• 8

  Opt for desserts that are decadent and beautiful if the theme calls for it, or choose something simple like a pudding if the mystery falls in England or is set in the medieval period.