When was the last time you hosted or attended a dinner party? There was an era, prior to the rise of fast-food outlets, microwave ovens and eating in front of the TV, when having people over for a special meal was the height of an individual’s social calendar. They were get-togethers designed not just to catch up with friends, but also to impress with cooking and conversational skills, and even to road-test a new outfit! Times, however, change, as do the ways in which people eat and interact with others.
In a society where many individuals are now time-poor, the old-fashioned dinner party has been replaced by drinks after work or going out for a meal. Yet the concept of a dinner party with all the trimmings is just as popular as ever, even if few of us follow through with the idea. How often have you been asked to name your ultimate dinner party guest list should you be able to choose from every person who has ever lived (or even from the pages of literature)? It’s a fascinating and telling exercise: who would you invite?
• When organising a dinner party, think carefully about your number of guests and the mix of personalities. Six to eight is a manageable number and allows you to consider a seating plan: who should sit next to whom, where should you place the joker, the introvert and the life of the party?
• Depending on how formal you wish the occasion to be, you can send out invitations and even suggest a dress code or theme.
• Check with your guests about any dietary requirements.
• How many courses will you serve? What will you cook?
• Will there be a theme to your food? What about drink? Will it be BYO?
• Don’t choose the evening of a dinner party to road-test a new recipe – make sure you have cooked it beforehand to iron out any problems of timing, etc.
• Compile a playlist: what music might suit the evening?
• What will the weather be like? Might you need heating? A fan? or is sitting outside an option?
In practice, a dinner party is a great way to get together with those whose company you enjoy, be it formal or informal. One of my favourite dinner parties was a very relaxed curry night. Each guest was tasked with creating a curry of their choice, while I acted as coordinator, dessert-maker and DJ. Fresh herbs were sourced from the garden, beers were chilled in the fridge, and the dachshund was primed for attention.
It’s important to remember that the evening should be fun for everyone, guests and hosts alike. Music can help create a friendly atmosphere in which people don’t suddenly feel self-conscious at starting conversation.
Having a good excuse to get friends together is useful but far from necessary. A birthday, anniversary or someone new to your town, work or the area are great opportunities for a dinner party.
It’s important to give thought to the menu and your list of guests, along with the amount of room you have and the size of both your kitchen and oven. While it’s impossible to make the preparations entirely stress free, it’s a good idea not to take on too much – you want to enjoy your own party, after all!