How To Throw The Perfect Dinner Party
Few things seem quite as scary as hosting a dinner party. With the weight of friends’ expectations bearing down like a ten tonne weight, it’s not surprising that most of us can buckle under the pressure. Should I theme the party? What should I cook? How should I cook it? It’s little wonder that the simple idea of inviting buddies around to eat can quickly descend into a nightmare.
Preparation, however, is key. Give yourself enough time to plan it all and your soiree will be warmly remembered and talked about for many moons to come. To kick-start the planning, we thought we’d give you a couple of tips worth bearing in mind to make sure your party gets a universal thumbs-up.
The first thing that’s probably worth considering is what you’ll serve your guests. Allow yourself a breather if you’ve a signature dish that you could cook in your sleep, but if you’re going to be a little more ambitious we’d suggest a bit of practise before the big night.
Whatever you’re cooking, remember that it’s worth investing in quality ingredients. A good butchers is a great start, and Erica from Highbury suggests Godfrey Frank Ltd: “This is a lovely organic butcher with every sort of delicious cut of meat you need or have ever dreamed of”. For almost anything else, and for a few bright ideas before the party, you’d do well to pay Borough Market a visit. “It's a veritable assault on the senses”, says Miles from Camden.
When the menu’s planned, the next step is to start considering the presentation – the table, the décor, the cutlery. If you’re staging an outlandish party, there’s a number of hirers that can help with fancy props. For a one-stop shop of all things homely and heavenly, however, you won’t go far wrong at Heals on Tottenham Court Road. “It's stacked with contemporary and more traditional ideas for your home”, says Christian from Hammersmith, “worth a trip for some great inspiration”.
And finally, after you’ve served your Michelin-starred food and entertained your guests with the most absorbing, witty conversation, it’s time to pack them off into the night with some great memories. Before you can have that one final glass of wine for a job well done, keep a taxi number handy and see your friends off in style. “Addison Lee are great”, says Neil from Kentish Town. “Go for the Merc to make you feel really important and special!”.