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The Essentials Of A Dinner Party     
 
Cooking,Entertainment
  
 
Planning on hosting a dinner party in the near future? Well, I am and I’m really looking forward to it. I am due to have a new cooker installed this week and am itching to get to grips with all the new gadgets and gizmos on it in the hope that I will be able to get back to hosting dinner parties – one of my favourite social occasions throughout the winter.

When hosting a dinner party the first thing we think about is the food. What shall we do for starters? Will it sit ok with the main course? Are there any vegetarians coming? Should dessert be warming and filling or light, just to finish off? Maybe we should have a cheeseboard instead/as well as? What sort of wine should we get? Where should people be seated? The list of things to consider seems endless.

What we should always bear in mind though, is that your friends are there for your company, not just a free feed. Spend as much time on thoughts of your surroundings and the atmosphere as well as your dinnerware. Why? Well, setting the scene is important as is making your guests feel at ease. This should be done in such a way as to make you feel relaxed too. No one wants to be entertained by a stressed out host!

When choosing the meals you want to serve, think about what dinnerware you have to serve it on. Sometimes it’s even worth a special purchase if you have extra special guests coming, just to set off a meal and give the finishing touches to it. Keep dishes colourful yet simple with a little garnish and dinnerware should be fairly simple in design. A fussily patterned plate will make a meal look to busy and may overwhelm the diner.

Tableware should be a delicate affair – not one of chunky plates and mugs – unless you are going for a help yourself chilli type of dinner party. Keep dinnerware co-ordinated with table clothes, placemats and serviettes and remember that plenty of crystal glass will keep the effect light and uncluttered.

Prepare as much of the meal as possible earlier in the day, giving you the opportunity to mingle with your guests and serve food in a relaxed manner. Almost all recipes will show you the opportunity to make ahead, if not, search out make ahead meals on the internet and find something suitable.

Pay some attention to your surroundings. Clear clutter from the room early in the day and lay the table so you can fuss with it and get it just how you want it. Clear any debris from meal preparation into the dishwasher so it is all out of sight and make sure all surfaces are clear. This will allow you to work in an un-muddled state.

Ensure your rooms are at an ambient temperature, a hot, stuffy room will make it difficult to enjoy your meal and harder for you to work in. Cooking aromas will be welcoming but if your guests are to be shown into a different room, lighten the atmosphere with a gentle waft of scented candles – cinnamon is always good through the winter or citrus smells in the summer months.

Pay attention to the detail of your home when planning your dinner party. Simplify as much as you can with the preparations ahead of your guests arriving and your evening should go according to plan.