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Hosting a dinner party at home opens up an opportunity to share recipes with guests. That aside, it is a lot of work that requires ample planning.
Reports indicate that in December last year, many UK households looked up dinner recipes, with searches shooting up 400% in the same period. To host a successful dinner party, it would be best to prepare everything before your guests arrive. Below is some insight into what you must do as a host.
Bring out your best dinnerware
Hosting a dinner party at home goes beyond feeding your guests delicious meals. Everything you do on that day will speak volumes about your hosting skills. And there are a few things you can do to leave lasting impressions in guests’ minds.
For example, bringing out your best tableware adds pizzazz to this special event. It also shows respect to your guests as they interpret it as the host reserving the best for them.
Fortunately, it doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive, as you can find affordable tableware that looks great. The most expensive Bone China dinnerware can be reserved for another occasion.
Make food alternatives available
Food and drinks are the highlights of every dinner party. If both are excellent and there’s enough to go around, your guests will remember their host for all the right reasons. And it’s a good idea to have alternatives available.
This is particularly important when you are unsure about your guests’ food preferences. For example, vegetarians, vegans, and people with food allergies should be considered.
By catering to their needs, you show empathy as a host. When dealing with guests with food allergies, please make an effort to consider the common food items they react to. Usually, milk, nuts, and seafood are things some people have allergies to.
With that in mind, it would be a great idea to have alternative dishes that do not contain those three food items. To be on the safer side, it would be wise to ask your guests ahead of time about their food aversions.
Have ample space
Space is a crucial element for a successful dinner party. You will need a place for guests to sit and eat. Also, space to lay out items on the menu is vital.
Fortunately, if you lack any of these, you can shop dining and kitchen tables in advance. When you have an idea of the numbers coming over for dinner, selecting the needed furniture can be easy.
Choose a menu that can be cooked in advance and suits the weather
According to experienced dinner hosts, this is one of the most important dinner party tips. Socialising is an essential part of a dinner party, and as the host, it may not be proper to spend the entire evening cooking in the kitchen.
On that night, you should rather be serving meals that do not require that you stay away from guests for too long. This is why it is recommended to have a menu that can be prepared in advance and still retain taste, appearance, and flavour.
Additionally, your food choices will make a good impression if they are perfect for the weather. For example, a cold starter in winter may not generate much excitement.
Also, not all your guests will appreciate a hot starter or a sweltering summer night. Knowing this trick adds to your repertoire as a thoughtful host.
