Preparing food for 20 people

For the past few weeks I have been learning to cook Chinese food. 红烧肉, fried rice, 剁椒鱼, one or two others. I would say that in general the dishes I have prepared have been almost universally SURPRISINGLY good and relatively easy to make.

My friend wanted to have a get together for his birthday. And I, finally, decided on the day that I would cook for everyone.

Ingredients at home before cooking for twenty people

What followed was approximately 4 hours of cooking. I basically was way too underprepared and impromptu. I forgot a few ingredients and my wok, so had to purchase and season one on the fly. In the end, I had prepared a huge amount of fried rice, 红烧肉 and 剁椒鱼. Even tasting my own cooking, it was tasty. It wasn't stellar or anything, but it was hearty and it was good enough that people were happy with me and my effort.

Steaming rice while cooking for twenty people Preparing hong shao rou while cooking for twenty people

Afterwards I must say that I didn't actually feel that good. I felt disappointed in how the dishes had turned out. There was this empty feeling in my body. But looking back, I can't rule out that I was just exhausted after 4 hours of standing and cooking. I think next time, I'll make sure to eat more of it than watching people eat it.

Finished dishes after cooking for twenty people Man in the mirror after cooking for twenty people