How to host the perfect dinner party without power

I live in the countryside where power outage happens quite often, especially in wintertime. I love to have friends and family over; actually this house is made to throw dinner parties! So when I invite people over, I don’t want an annoying power outage to force me to cancel at the last minute! Here are a few tips for an unforgettable party without power.
 
1.  Make sure your guests don’t freeze
I invested in a gas fireplace with a battery to ignite it in case of outage. If you have a wood fireplace, make sure the fire is completely extinguished before going to bed or leaving your house. Never leave heating sources unattended.
 
Also, get blankets out and advise your guests to wear warm clothes. Luckily, wearing a tuque indoors is quite trendy for the perfect après ski look.
 
2.  Gear up for safety (and romantic ambiance!)
Make sure your emergency kit is well stocked with flashlight and flameless candles. If you have to use real candles, be sure to keep them at least 12 inches away from anything that can catch fire, such as curtains, furniture, bedding, papers and flammable liquids.
 
3. Stay connected to the outside world
Ideally, you should also have an external battery charger in your emergency kit. It’s very useful for charging your phone so you can stay aware of the weather and road conditions but also to keep that party playlist on!
 
And if you are a real emergency pro with a crank weather radio in your kit, you can tune to a local radio station for weather updates.

4. Feed your guests
Cooking without power can be a challenge, but don’t even think about using a charcoal or a gas barbecue inside! It is extremely dangerous. Also try to open the door of your refrigerator and freezer as little as possible this can keep the inside cooler longer – but remember to use caution with any food that may have thawed or not stayed cold enough, better safe than sorry.
 
But still, there is a lot more than dehydrated food and or can of peas that you can serve you guest. For example, Chef Ricardo has ideas for many good dishes that can be made without cooking.
 
And if you have a gas fondue set, it's a great meal idea to get rid of meats and vegetables in your fridge. Don’t forget to keep a small kitchen fire extinguisher close to the table and never move the burner when lit.

Learn more on what to do before, during and after a power outage and download the Red Cross Be Ready app for free.
 
Bon appétit!