FOOD
We're pretty sure that no one goes into hosting a dinner party for a bad time. But between trying to cook new dishes for the first time, styling your table and coming up with custom cocktail names its suddenly turned into a BIG PRODUCTION and you're rushing, sweating and about to cry, oh and you burnt the garlic so now your house stinks and your guests are due in 10 minutes, wonderful. Not.
But somehow all of that hasn't put you off hosting for life, but you are ready to host in a less stressful way. Dinner parties are supposed to be fun, you're meant to spend time around the table with your guests, talking, eating and laughing, even when you are the host. So if you're ready to host in a less is more, low key kind of way but still memorable, then read on, we've got your next dinner party sorted.
Make Effort in the Right Places
Its time to realise that the level of effort on the hosts part does not necessarily directly relate to the level of enjoyment on one’s guests. You might see every detail from the signature cocktail to the place cards that purposefully mix up the attendees, but chances are these are not details that anyone else will notice. For food and drinks, we recommend a selection of good wine or champagne, a showstopper of an appetizer, a main served family style with sides that can be prepped ahead of time and a made in advance dessert that can stay in the fridge until just before you're ready to serve. Keeping your food quality but simple means that you're with your guests for most of the night and that is really what matters.
Pair Your Drinks Right
Now if you're going for the aforementioned wine option, it is easy but you still need to pair it right. Match the wine with the flavours of your menu. For rich dishes like beef bourguignon, opt for a full-bodied red wine with at least 14% ABV so it can stand up to the heavy flavour. For lighter dishes such as fish, chicken, or vegetarian, a crisp white or a delicate rosé balances things out. When pairing a wine with a specific dish, it's helpful to think about the basics, for example creamy dishes go well with a buttery Chardonnay, whilst spicy foods pair nicely with a slightly sweet Riesling. We recommend offering a selection of wines unless you know your guests and what they like well. Having both red and white, plus a sparkling, covers all the bases.
No One is Judging Your Home
And if they are, get better friends. But jokes aside, really no one is. Most people don't live in homes worthy of Architectural Digest and will likely not even notice never mind judge your half finished picture wall, sofa that the cat sharpens its claws on or extra chair at the table that doesn't match the rest. The main thing is that your home is clean, smells fresh and feels welcoming, and all that is easy enough. For decoration, we'll always keep it simple and opt for lots of unscented candles which cast a lovely warm light and hide the most worn sofa and some decent linen napkins. Cutlery and crockery can be whatever you have, mismatched or a full set either works. Steer clear of strong smelling flowers on your dining table as it can be overpowering when eating, but they are a lovely addition to your bathroom or powder room.
Be Kind to Yourself
Don't put so much pressure on yourself to be the most creative cook or to make your table decorations from scratch. Put yourself in the place of your guests and imagine if you were invited for dinner. Would you look down on your host because the bread rolls are store bought or make comments because the sofa has a dog asleep on it? Likely not, so why would your guests? Give yourself the breathing room to enjoy the whole process from start to finish, even the tidying up.