How To Host an Amazing Dinner Party
Staying in is the new going out. So as a result, you may find that you are staying in more and more and inviting friends and family over to your home. One awesome thing to do is to host a dinner party. It doesn’t happen every time, and it can be for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. The thought of a dinner party might be a little overwhelming. So here are some of the tips that you need to know. Hopefully, they will be able to help you throw the best dinner party ever.
Don’t Experiment
A dinner party is a time that you want to show off your cooking skills and share some delicious food. It is not the time to try out that recipe that you have always wanted to try. Don’t use a dinner party as a time to experiment. You want to go with dishes that you have made a few times before. You know how long they take to prepare and just how they taste. Experimenting and having a cooking fail could lead to disaster, and some hungry dinner guests!
Keep the Menu Balanced
Think carefully about the choices that you want to serve. The dishes should compliment each other and not be too similar. Imagine having a quiche for the starter, and then a pie for the main course, followed by a cherry tart for dessert. They are too similar as they all have pastry. That is quite a ‘heavy’ food that people won’t want too much of. If you’re thinking about a theme for your party, also consider matching the food and drinks accordingly. For example, if you’re hosting a 1920s flapper party, you’ll want to make an old fashioned dinner recipe to wow your guests. So, plan your menu carefully and mix it up with heavier foods and lighter options.
Plan Your Drinks
Do you want to give them guests a drink on their arrival? Planning your drinks well will mean that there is plenty for everyone. Work out how many glasses of wine there might be per person. If possible, get some guidance from where you buy your wine, as to what would suit your menu best. It is a good idea to have a spirit of choice for after dinner drinks. A whiskey like Woodford Reserve Sonoma Cutrer is a fantastic choice, or you could choose sherry. Think about your guests and their tastes.
Plan Your Time
It is a good idea to sit down a few days before and plan out the timings of the day. Even allowing yourself time to get the table set needs to be put into account. Think about how long all the foods need to make and plan what you will do and when. Somethings like a dessert could be made the day before, depending on what it is. So plan ahead and make sure you aren’t rushed. You don’t want to stress yourself out on the day. The final thing to make time for is allowing time to get yourself ready. This often gets forgotten about and then you're rushing to grab a shower before guests arrive. You don’t want to be sat at the dinner table in your apron!