Host the Dinner Party of Your Dreams

Download:

• menu cards

• recipes

• shopping list

• prep list

  for your next Dinner Party!

Yay! Dinner Parties are Back, Baby!

These occasions are such a fun way to deepen our connections with friends, family, or even acquaintances. There is such a pure, wholesome joy in sharing a meal with those we care about.

So, you love hosting dinner parties, but could do without the stress and time management challenges involved? Every time you invite people over, do you find yourself answering the door and then rushing back to the kitchen to finish one more thing (and losing precious time connecting with your guests). Or worse, when your guests arrive, do you start assigning them tasks to help get your food ready in time? Now, if you are hoping to host an “all hands on deck” party, I guess that isn’t too bad. But, for all those other dinner parties, you’ve gotta be more strategic with your time!

Follow our recommendations below to make your next dinner party stress-free with impeccable timing! (and if you want done-for-you dinner party meal plans, click to your right!

Planning and Preparation

Decor

Fun Theme Ideas

- 1920’s speakeasy style

- 1950’s glam

- summer of ‘69

- garden party

- international cuisine inspiration

- holiday

- your favorite artist (painter, musician, chef)

1. Lean into a Theme

2. Use Natural Beauty

   1. Do you have any houseplants that you can use in your centerpiece? Propagated parts of your houseplants?

   2. If you buy a flower arrangement, consider adding excess herbs to create a unique pop of green

   3. Will sunset be happening during your meal? This provides a beautiful scene and mood lighting

3. Recycle and Thrift

   1. You don’t need perfectly matched plate ware, drinkware, and silverware. Choose items with intention to create a cohesive look.

      1. Use all square plates but in different colors with similar saturation or similarly sized and color plates of varying shapes.

      2. If plates are all white, bring in a pop of color with different colored napkins all from the same color family

      3. If you have two different styles of silverware, put them on opposite place settings to create balance

4. Allow Your Invitation to set the Mood

   1. Be sure to incorporate the theme in your invitation

   2. Notify guests of important times

      1. Welcoming Bites

      2. Dinner is served

      3. If you have a specific time you want the party to end

   3. A casual dinner party doesn’t need a formal invitation, a text with all the important information and maybe a fun gif to fit the theme will do!

6. Find a fitting music playlist

1. Don’t save this for the last minute, your music is very important in setting the right mood

7. Don’t forget about the importance of lighting and aroma in setting the right mood

8. Plan your Food!

1. The Basics for each Dish

Welcoming Bite and Beverage

• always include at least one non alcoholic beverage (in addition to water)

• if you make a signature cocktail consider batching it in a pitcher or punchbowl

Starter (salad, heavier appetizer, soup)

• optional to omit this or serve alongside the entrée

• The goal here is to have something for people to nibble on as soon as they sit down at the table

  • This also gives you a chance to sneak away and complete the last minute touches on the entrée

Entrée

• the larger the group, the more important it is to have a build your own element

  • This allows you to accommodate various dietary restrictions that your guests may have

Dessert

• plan something that can be completely made ahead of time

• Bonus points if you can cut it ahead of time or assemble it in individual serving dishes

2. Decide on recipes, look for ingredients on hand, and create your shopping list

3. Begin working on your Prep List and Timeline

1. Unsure how to put together an efficient organized Prep List?

   1. Check out our blog post for a strategy to keep yourself on schedule
      

Execution

1. Execution begins the day before your party. Ask yourself ‘what all can be made ahead of time?’. Prepare as much as you can the day before to make the day of the party as stress-free as possible.

2. Start the day with an empty dishwasher and empty recycling bin/trash bin.

3. If you store serving dishes and tools outside of the kitchen, gather all the items you will be using ahead of time and bring them to a convenient place near the kitchen.

4. Pin your Prep List and Recipes onto the fridge or in a convenient spot to reference

5. Utilize your Prep List and Timeline to keep you on track as you go

   1. Prepare the welcoming bite early so you know it’ll be ready to go

   2. Next, work on the starter dish

   3. Work through your entrée prep steps

6. Clean as you go!

   1. Plan at least 30 minutes into your timeline to hand wash dishes

   2. The little cleaning tasks you can accomplish as you go will help out BIG TIME as it gets closer to party time

7. Plan time to get yourself ready

1. Don’t forget to plan enough time to shower, style your hair, and do your makeup

8. You got this!!

1. As guests arrive, even if you feel that you are running a bit behind, take a deep breath and know that you already have their welcoming bite ready! When guests have a drink in hand and yummy appetizer, they are happy. This will give you some extra time to center yourself and begin enjoying the party and all of the fruits of your hard work.

As Your Party Comes to a Close

1. Save Your Leftovers

   1. When possible avoid food waste by packing leftover in food storage containers in between courses.

   2. Too many leftovers for you?

      1. Maybe your guests want to take leftovers with them?

         1. You could include a note on the invitation asking guests to bring food storage containers that they can fill and take back home.

         2. Or you can stock up on a few food storage containers that you don’t mind giving away.

2. Show Gratitude to Your Guests

   1. Generally speaking, there’s no need to write thank you notes BUT …

   2. As people are leaving, thank them for coming and comment on a memorable moment they shared

      i.e. that funny joke they told, a helpful tip or recommendation they shared, or that amazing story

      1. this makes your guests feel acknowledged and special in your home

3. As soon as the last guest leaves, clean!

   1. Even if it’s just 10 minutes and you’re going to let everything else “soak”

   2. Those little, immediate cleaning tasks you do now will pay off big time tomorrow morning

Love hosting dinner parties, but just don’t want to put so much effort into the planning? We’ve got you!

Check out our Dinner Party Packages that include:

• Menu Cards

• 5 chefate Recipes

• Grocery Shopping List

• Prep List with Timeline Suggestions