If you love food and entertaining, it’s a safe bet you’re into dinner parties. Do you have a special occasion coming up that you would like to throw a dinner party for? Perhaps you’re an old-hand at entertaining and are looking to elevate your efforts and host the ultimate dinner party? Here are five tips to earn you the reputation of being the host/hostess with the most/mostess!
Happy tum & happy bum!
Have you eaten in a restaurant that had fantastic food, but terrible dining chairs? No-one wants a sore back or behind, so providing comfortable seating is critical. Home entertaining is often characterised by squashing as many people as possible around a dining table. Maybe it’s time for a furniture upgrade. If you don’t have the room for a large setting, opt for an expanding dining table. You could also buy some extra dining chairs to use when the table is expanded, and then simply store the extras when you fold it down again. If you have the room, maybe it’s time to invest in a larger dining suite. For a great range of affordable and comfortable dining and entertaining options, have a look at Super Amart Australia.
Fantastic food
Obviously, a dinner party is all about the food. It’s also the element of your dinner party that people will most likely remember the most. You know what it’s like when you’ve had a fabulous meal and even years later; you can still remember the smell and taste of the dish? Aim to make something extraordinary. It’s time to unveil your culinary genius and step outside of your comfort zone. You’re probably well known for certain dishes that your friends and family have tasted many times. Try something new and make sure you practice, practice, practice! Just make sure you’ve accurately worked out the portions for all of your guests and allow some extra, just in case.
Timing is everything
While planning your menu, think about your timings, the last thing you want is hungry guests. Don’t make them wait for long periods between courses, like some of the contestants on those competitive cooking shows. Consider a buffet, as guests can pick and choose the things that appeal to them. You’ll also seriously reduce your workload in the kitchen, giving you more time to spend with your guests so they don’t start feeling neglected and unloved.
This goes with that
Your menu should have a general theme and stick to one cuisine type. You might go for an Asian-inspired menu or Mediterranean. Your choices are endless. Try matching your beverages to your food, in particular wine and beer. Why not do up a menu with suggested drinks to match each dish, as you would see in a fine dining restaurant? For another super classy touch, serve refreshing, palette-cleansing sorbet between courses.
Theme and entertainment
If you really want to up the ante on your previous dinner parties, host a themed dinner party. Apply this theme to your invitations and menus as well as your decor. Depending on your theme, you may even ask people to dress up. You could even inject some serious fun by organising some theme-related entertainment such as a magician or belly-dancers. If you’ve opted for a fine dining experience and you have children, why not hire your kids and their friends to be your wait staff for the night!
Dinner parties can be loads of fun and in some cases, you’ll be happier with the food you serve than if you ate out! There are some critical success factors however, so make sure you avoid the pitfalls and make your next soirée; one to remember for all the right reasons!