Entertaining friends and family and throwing dinner parties is definitely one of the most enjoyable parts of adulthood. Sitting down with some good food and drink, catching up and having fun is a great way to get some quality time in with loved ones. If you’re hoping to throw a dinner party but have never done so before (or just lack in confidence) there are a couple of things to bear in mind before taking the plunge. Here’s how you can make your next dinner party a delight!
Presentation is Key
A dinner party is a little more fancy and formal than a regular weeknight dinner, so it’s worth spending a little extra time on the presentation. This could mean serving desserts in single portions for example, rather than creating one large dessert and slicing it up. Use garnishes, and plate things up in an attractive way. That way the food appeals to the eyes as well as the stomach! Sites like Pinterest will give you tonnes of ideas for plating styles. It doesn’t have to look like it’s come out of a Michelin star kitchen, but a bit of extra effort instead of slopping it on will make all the difference!
Choose a Theme or Courses That Work Well Together
The courses at your dinner party should all work well together, so this is something you will need to think about when you’re planning your menu. The flavors shouldn’t clash, and everything should balance itself out nicely. For example if you have a particularly heavy main, the starter and dessert should be lighter to compensate. One good tip is to choose one kind of cuisine and stick with a dish from that for each course. Or even give a slight spin on each course with a particular cuisine. For example, you could choose herbs, spices or seasonings used in a culture and use them throughout. For the dishes themselves, go with things you know you can cook instead of trying something new. Meals that can be prepared and cooked quickly or made ahead of time are also beneficial, that way you get to spend time with your guests and aren’t stuck in the kitchen all night.
Don’t Forget Drinks
Keeping the wine flowing is important for any dinner party! Choose a wine which complements each course, there’s plenty of advice online to help you do this- you don’t need to be an expert. Don’t forget an non- alcoholic alternative for those who are driving or don’t drink. After dinner you could serve some delicious coffee, for the best flavour grind it yourself instead of using instant. You can learn more about this from specialist coffee websites.
Keep Guests Entertained
As a good host you should make sure your guests are having a good time as well as enjoying the food. To occupy them between courses or just to finish off the evening, how about some simple dinner party games? A great way to get everyone chatting and mingling as well as getting to know each other better.
Do you have any tips for throwing an awesome dinner party?
