Throwing a party can be intimidating. What food to serve" How to set the mood" And?most importantly?what about the bar" Enter Ali Cayne, entertaining expert and owner of Haven’s Kitchen (the New York City café, cooking school, event space, and site of our recent Gardenista book party), who makes it look easy. Here are her eight tips for throwing a fret-free fête.

Above: Cayne is a master at festive?but hassle-free?parties. Photograph by John Kernick, courtesy of Williams Sonoma and Haven’s Kitchen.
1. Prep ahead.
Even short-notice parties benefit from a little forethought. “The day before a party, I?ll make any sauces to give them time to marry, and chop or dice or slice anything I can ahead of time,” says Cayne. “Prepping ahead makes the next day much less stressful.” The morning of, get last-minute items like bread and cheese. “It?s simple, but have low lighting, lots of candles, and cocktails or wine waiting,”
Above: Low lighting is an easy way to create atmosphere. Photograph by Mel Walbridge.
7. Make it personal.
Most importantly, remember the true spirit  at of hosting, Cayne says. “If you?re throwing a party, there must be a reason why you?ve invited the people that are there. Tell them that. Not in a long, sweeping toast, but make sure that each person knows that you care about them and that you?re happy to have them in your home and feed them.”
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