vHUFFS continued from page 17 their own tacos, fajitas and enchiladas. Or they could load up nachos with cheese and other toppings, then throw it in the oven for warm, gooey goodness. Setting The Mood The Huffs set the mood before the party even started. They used a football-shaped cookie container, and they sported football jerseys — Steve for his Pittsburgh Steelers and Tracy with the Chicago Bears. Tracy admitted her jersey was a tribute to her mother, a huge fan of Bears icon Walter Payton. “My mom would sit in her chair with a shrine dedicated to Walter Payton, watching the game with her Wheaties cereal box that had Walter’s picture on it. She would yell ‘Come on, Sweetness!’” Tracy said, referring with a laugh to Payton’s nickname. Back to business, Tracy noted large events can pose a challenge not only in estimating the amount of food but also the pace of serving it. In this case, the Huffs communicated with the hosts on the availability of ovens for bringing food ahead of time and keeping it warm. “I think, for some of these parties, we have more of what I call ‘free range’ or ‘grazing.’ People come and go from the table, eating over the course of several hours,” Tracy said. “Some people put all the food out at once, but we do it in phases. We keep the food hot or cold, whatever it is, in the kitchen and then bring it out as needed. We make sure that we keep the bowls full and the food at the right temperature.” When it comes to good times, many parties call not only for good food but also good drinks. “We usually provide beer and wine,” Tracy said. “For this party, they also like whiskey, so Steve is bringing Scotch, bourbon and rye so he can make mixed drinks.” The Huffs looked around their kitchen one last time before hitting the road. The plan called for them to arrive with the food by 3 p.m. for guests who arrived before the 6 p.m. kickoff. “Well, it’s getting close to show time,” Tracy said as they packed the last coolers, trays and bowls into their vehicle. “We let them have friends overnight and asked what they wanted to eat. They wanted a taco bar, so we chopped up the veggies and prepared the meat. We worked with things that were fun,” Tracy said. “It also helps us get to know their friends. We want their friends to come over and have a great time. We may also expose them to different food. Their friends might say, ‘We’ve never thought about doing this with food’ and take the idea home to their families. We enjoy seeing young adults getting engaged and more passionate about things.” The Huffs don’t worry about making too much food at one time. “We prepare big and usually spread the food over several meals,” Tracy said. “Or we’ll donate it to family and friends. We’ll say, ‘Hey, have you got anything going tonight?’ and then share things like our chicken, ribs and brisket. We have a lot of fun with food.” The Huffs take the same approach when it comes to making food part of a larger experience. “Food plays such an important role in the whole social aspect of things. When Steve and I started we wanted the food to be good. But we also wanted people to feel comfortable and enjoy themselves,” Tracy said. “We’ve hosted a wide range of groups. If you want people to have a good experience, you want food there. And when it comes to food, we like to spice it up and change things around.” When it comes to preparing food for social gatherings, the Huffs recommend starting small, if needed. “We believe, the more, the merrier. We like to watch people eat our food. And making meals is a great stress reliever for us,” Tracy said. “Everybody is wired differently. It’s a matter of finding your comfort zone, but you’ve got to start somewhere. Don’t be afraid to venture out and try something new.” n Sharing A Love Of Food The Huffs have found the tips and tricks they use for social gatherings also work well at home. They prepare the dough and toppings ahead of time for making their own pizzas, giving them the freedom to create meals at the last minute. And it’s always good to have some basic ingredients on hand for those sudden cravings or guests who drop by the house. The Huffs are also cultivating a love of food in their teenagers, Nathan and Abby. check out... hervoiceonline.com 20vHERVOICEvMARCH/APRIL 2019 e andmhadove! H it l w Get hooked on a brand-new hobby. Not only is knitting fun and relaxing, you’ll be creating handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts and fashions. •Huge Selection of Yarns •Crochet Cotton •Specialty Magazines •Knitting Needles •Crochet Hooks •Patterns & Supplies 909 Broadway, Tripp Park Plaza 605-689-3999 • www.eweknitit.com Open: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm • Saturday 10am-5pm