Q: My birthday is coming up and I'd like to throw a party for my college friends. Trouble is, it's very easy for small gatherings in college to quickly become a larger group, so I'm thinking a buffet will be best. Do you have any springtime meal ideas that will feed a crowd?

Sent by Alice More

Q: My boyfriend's birthday is quickly approaching and I'm stumped on cake or dessert celebratory birthday recipes. He isn't much of one for sweets but I'd still like to bake some sort of dessert to accompany his birthday dinner. Any suggestions for a baked good that isn't overly sweet yet also appropriate for a birthday party?

Sent by Helena More

Q: I'm hosting an Easter dinner this coming weekend with a Mexican theme. I'm working half of the day on the day of the dinner so I need some fresh ideas for Mexican food where a lot of the prep can be done ahead of time. Ideally, the entire menu would stick to the theme, from appetizers to dessert. Any suggestions?

Sent by Lynne More

Q: For Easter this year, my boyfriend's mother asked if I would plan and prepare Easter dinner for 9 people (including 3 kids). I jumped at the opportunity because I love entertaining, but mostly I want to impress my potential future mother-in-law! The thing is that they are Filipino and tend to keep things simple. More

Q: Help! Were're hosting Easter brunch for 12 but two are vegans. I've never cooked for vegans before and I need ideas.

Sent by Shannon More

Q: I'm hosting an American Psycho-themed party for my husband's birthday but am having trouble thinking of appetizers to serve. The food in the film/book was all so bizarre and pretentious (think sea urchin ceviche and squid ravioli in a lemongrass broth with goat cheese profiteroles).

Sent by Mallory More

Q: I want to have a dinner party before seeing The Hunger Games when it opens on March 23rd. Do you (or any of your readers) have some good menu suggestions that are reminiscent of the books?

Sent by Jan More

Q: In honor of St. Patrick's Day: Is it possible to make an Irish breakfast for a crowd in a normal kitchen? I have about 30 people coming for my daughter's birthday, and I'd love to do a fry up with eggs, sausage, tomato, mushrooms, and some baked beans, but I just can't envision doing it for such a large group!

Sent by Kathleen More

Q: I'm hosting a St. Patrick's Day brunch at my little apartment for 20 people. However, slaving over a hot stove all morning, even with a mimosa in my hand, isn't my idea of a great time, so I'd like to cook as much as possible in the oven. Does anyone know if I can cook breakfast sausage and bacon in the oven? If so, how? More

Q: A friend of mine is throwing a "summer in February" picnic next weekend. However, all of the produce in the stores right now has been shipped from other parts of the world and doesn't have the same flavor as the summer market veggies. What can I make that says "summer" without relying on past-its-prime produce?

Sent by Julia More