The single most useful skill in a hosting emergency is staying offstage. Whatever has gone wrong, do not announce it. Walk calmly to the kitchen, fix or replace the problem, and return as if nothing happened.

Most party emergencies are emergencies only inside the host's head. Guests rarely notice anything is wrong unless you tell them. Your stress radar is calibrated for tiny details that nobody else can see, and the more you stay in the kitchen fretting, the more obvious the problem becomes to the room. Never apologise for what guests will not notice — the burnt edge of the lasagna, the slightly wilted salad, the dessert that did not set. The moment you point them out, guests start looking for problems instead of enjoying the food. Smile, serve, and let it go. Confidence is the most important garnish on every dish.