As a kid I fantasized about growing up and hosting dinner parties — the picture in my mind was a bunch of groovy people dancing and smoking from cigarette holders in my glamorous uptown apartment, everyone wearing sunglasses and teased hairdos. Me, I'd be shimmying in a tiara and sky-high heels, champagne in one hand, a caviar canape in the other. Does this vision sound familiar? Because it comes directly from Breakfast at Tiffany's, still one of my favorite movies.
I am sort of the same age than as the enchanting character of Ms. Holly Golightly (how did this growing up thing happen?!). I too live in a tiny flat and love to entertain, but my beloved gamine and I diverge here — my party style relies on make ahead dishes, unfussy decor and thinking beyond the cocktail/dinner hour. However, I still think a tiara is appropriate hosting attire, any time of day!
Need help getting started on hosting your a dinner party? Are you a seasoned pro with advice for the next generation of Golightlies? Read on for my tips and share some of your own! Let's dance!
My Top 10 Tips for Hosting a Dinner Party
1. Use trusted, make-ahead recipes you've already made at least once.
I strongly advise serving foods that are 'in the bag' — reinvent and experiment on a leisurely weekend when no one's watching. Then serve it up the next week!
2. Incorporate make-ahead dishes that reheat well.
A stew gets better the next day, a hearty dish of lasagna or black bean enchiladas will make everyone smile — most important, I believe in steering clear from complicated meals that you have to prepare while people are there in party mode. No one wants to have you slaving away at the stove, missing the socializing. The big exception to this idea is barbequing outside in summer months, whereupon you can grill while staying engaged with guests.
3. Never underestimate what good fixings can do for your soiree.
I'm talking about a variety of fresh breads from the bakery, great olive oil for dipping and pickles, olives, roasted peppers and a platter of local cheeses from the grocery. In fact, skip the main dish sometimes, a lovely party can be made solely of flavorful nibbles from your favorite specialty grocer.
4. When someone offers to bring something, SAY YES and delegate what that something is.
You can never have too many salads or desserts — these are the best items to pass on to pals. Your friends will love to contribute and it's one less thing on your list.
5. Don't have matching, nice plates?
Don't sweat it. A cacophony of disparate styles actually comes together beautifully when it's intentional. I love tons of pattern and craziness on the table — when it's all crazy, it all works. Set the intention and go for it.
6. I love picking fresh herbs and edible flowers from my yard for the table setting.
It's low-key, yet stylish, and brings in a natural element from the outdoors. It's also easy on the budget and will elevate your table into a special occasion look.
7. Let a favorite region guide your culinary choices.
This will give you the oomph to go the extra mile, which will be so appreciated. For example, do you love Indian food? Think of the loose Indian flavor profile, chile, lime, cilantro and cumin and incorporate these spices into a dish you already know how to make. You could brushing these flavors onto vegetables and incorporate them into a simple pilaf of any favorite grain. PIck up an order of fresh naan from a local indian restaurant, chutney from the grocery, lastly stir up some raita (simply cucumber and plain yogurt) and chop up fresh mango drizzled with lime for dessert. Top off the semi-homemade meal with a juicy cocktail or cold beer — your guests will be dazzled.
8. Simplify, plan ahead then relax.
Tidy and do your thing to get the house ready as much as you can before guests arrive, but set aside a few moments to have a glass of wine, listen to music you like and relax before your pals get there. Very important! PS - no one cares if you haven't dusted your bathroom, nothing has to be perfect!
9. Skip dinner!
Think of a wine and cheese event or a dessert-tasting or even a fancy afternoon tea. These smaller meals require much less culinary expertise/planning and are a wonderful way to gather with friends. I adore the off-hour party and all the goodies that can accompany these endeavors. Tea and muffins can be just the thing for a few friends and a leisurely afternoon.
10. Get out of the house.
A picnic in the park is lovely, especially if your pad is tiny. Think of the lawn games, dancing, feasting and napping that can happen only in the great outdoors. Order burritos from your favorite Mexican place; after all, entertaining and relaxing with friends isn't really about the food — it's about the laughter, friendship and connection. Food is the ultimate foil for togetherness and celebration.
What's your best advice for new hosts? Do you have a few clever tips up your sleeve? For all of our sakes, please share your wisdom below in the comments section. Thanks!
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(Images: Leela Cyd Ross, lead image by Kevin Dooley, licensed by Creative Commons)
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It's getting to be the time of year when I so enjoy the practice of having guests for some late afternoon/early evening grilling, followed by a set time when everyone will depart together for a pre-selected bar.
On a nice day, leisurely enjoying food and drinks outside in the sun with friends is just life-affirming. And by the time people have come out of their food/sunshine comas and the drinks are flowing freely, the momentum is usually right for heading out on the town for drinks.
Speaking of flowing drinks and momentum, relocating the party once it gets more boisterous lessens the chances of guests spilling on the host's couch or dropping a glass. And if the group's momentum has stamina, it also saves the host's neighbors the annoyance of listening to late night festivities.
My tips:
- Hire one of your guests to be the "waiter". no need to go dashing back and forth to the kitchen when plating! (if it's a sit-down dinner)
- don't stress so much that you don't enjoy your guests. Make plenty ahead of time!
- I like world music for a funky atmosphere, plus it's different from what most people are used to listening to. A good middle eastern or latin CD sets a great mood
- paper napkins in cool designs. Why wash all those napkins? Or maybe I feel this way because I don't have an in-unit washing machine.
- I use small juice glasses instead of wine glasses - easier to wash, and kinda european.
- fresh flowers and lots of candles - always
- write the menu on a little chalkboard
and by hire one of the guests, I mean "hire".. not literally! Most people are happy to pretend to be a waiter.
This is more for a party than a dinner party, but I have a trick to making a great playlist:
Let's say my party starts at 7. I'll start my playlist at 6 while I set up.
I know that Beth loves Song A and that Beth comes early to help a lot, so I'll put Song A about an hour into the playlist. Beth will hear it shortly after she arrives.
Jane can't come until 8, and she adores Band B, so I'll put one of their songs about two and a half hours into the playlist. Jane will hear it shortly after she arrives.
The short explanation is that people like to hear songs they like (duh, you say).
But the awesome explanation is that hearing one song you loooove makes you psychologically predisposed to enjoy the rest of the music. Even if your song isn't at all similar to the songs surrounding it, knowing that that one song is your taste makes you more open to thinking of the other ones as your taste, too.
Rules 1 and 2 are absolute musts for success!! When I hosted the biggest dinner party of my life (my wedding) these 2 things were essential, and it was very successful :)
I would add another:
11. don't try to do a plated dinner, either do family style, buffet style, or lots of appetizer 2 bite options spread around with cocktails.
Kinda similar to #7...never let your courses compete for the spotlight. I tend to make one stand-out dish and let the other food play a supporting role. Otherwise things get too muddled.
And a great tip from Julia Child...never apologize for your cooking!! If something doesn't turn out quite right, chances are your guests won't know until you point it out to them.
I would add to plan out your dishes and serving ware in advance. There's nothing worse than having hot food coming off the stove but no idea what you're going to serve it in! (Been there.) I now always think through my menu in advance and identify what dish will go where and with what serving utensil. For really major events I even lay all the dishes out and put little notes in them about what food they're for so helpers can put out food without questions for me.
I also second the do-ahead foods advice. My general rule is to never have more than one last minute dish, and even those I try to keep simple (grilling up steaks, sauteeing some veggies, etc). Everything else is able to be made in advance. I have learned after much trial and error that soups, stews, braises, casseroles, etc work great because they can just be reheated, as do items that can be served warm or room temp as opposed to hot.
Thanks so much for leaving this invaluable comments! I will incorporate several of these tips into my repetoire -- you guys rock.