With Mayo Clinic nutritionists Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

The spring and summer seasons give us plenty of reasons to celebrate — weddings, religious celebrations, graduation parties or simply the nice weather for cooking and eating outside with friends and family. After you finalize your guest list you can start planning the menu — my favorite part!

Consider the foods you are planning to serve and the timeline of your party:

• Keep raw meats and seafood separate from other foods (from the market to home).
• Prepare foods on separate surfaces — keep meats separate from vegetables, fruits, or breads.
• Cook foods to the appropriate internal temperatures. Use a food thermometer.
• Clean utensils between food prep and service. Also keep separate utensils for each dish.

How long should you serve?

• Two hours is the maximum amount of time you want food out, especially if no heating or cooling appliance is used. Bacteria grow best and quickly between 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Do you have a means of keeping them warm? If you have a buffet server, chafing dish or flat warming tray, periodically check the temperature with a food thermometer — your food may be warm but not 140 degrees.
• Consider keeping foods cold by using the "dish in a dish method." Fill a large serving bowl or container with ice and place the serving dish a top of or bathed in the ice. Again, mind the temperature of food and length of time away from the refrigerator.
• Consider your serving container. Use one that better conducts and insulates heat or cold — for example, use metal instead of glass. Use your attractive glass dishes for foods that are safe at room temperature like nuts and other snack foods.

Promptly refrigerate or freeze leftovers. If a large quantity remains, divide into smaller portions to minimize cooling time to refrigerator or freezing temperatures.

And throughout this entire process, wash your hands — before, after, and during preparation and serving. Wash for at least 15-20 seconds, scrub palms, back of hands and fingernails up to wrists.

If you have some other party tips, please share them.

To your health,

Katherine

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