A successful Super Bowl party has some of the same characteristics of any party -- with the exception that it's not enough to have food and drinks out for the initial rush. You need to have timed releases that correspond to the game itself. Just as Herm Edwards found out, it's all a matter of clock management.
Before the Game
Set out anything that doesn't need to be refrigerated. Put the bean dip and the tortilla chips in a bowl, but keep them sealed. Get the beer on ice and make sure the bar is easily accessible and stacked with mixers and garnishes.
Think small -- mini bagel dogs and pony beers (the glass beers that are 7 or 8 oz.). When we overeat and drink, it's much more manageable in small portions.
Crack one set of chips and your first beer. After all, you should be building your excitement as well -- this is why you practiced different furniture layouts this week.
First Quarter
Keep it light and small. The Super Bowl is anywhere from a three to six-hour commitment. You want your guests to enjoy it and not feel like they're in an Alka Seltzer ad. You've already set out mini bagel dogs or sliders and chips; lay the groundwork for later by filling a few candy bowls with Peanut M&Ms, but save most of the sweets for after halftime. Doll out pony beers like party favors.
Second Quarter
Here you can coast until eight minutes remain in the half. That's when you preheat your oven. With about four minutes to go, your oven should be ready for tater tots and bagel bites -- both of these go over well at any level of party, for the simple reason that we all still love school lunch. With the two-minute warning and television timeouts, your food should come out right at the beginning of halftime.
Third Quarter
This is when the party can fall apart if the game is a blow-out and people start thinking about work on Monday. So roll out the sweets and encourage prop bets (who can eat the most Peeps? Will Peyton pull the chin straps off his helmet in frustration?). If you've made a cake, great; if not, start baking cookies at the beginning of the third quarter in your already warm oven. And bring back the pony beers you've kept in reserve from the first quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Since it's almost dinner, you'll want to head back to team savory. Asian cuisine is the way to go. Think boiled or grilled, not fried -- spring rolls, pot stickers or meat on a stick -- depending on the crowd. It's the kind of end to the evening that will leave your guests feeling slightly too full, but ultimately happy.
[Image via Flickr: maggiejumps]
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