CHOOSE A GROUP OF GUESTS THAT WILL GET ALONG
An obvious one but an important one! You may have friends that do not get along or people who have not met before. Choose people with similar interests and who you think will get along. Dinners are not big enough in numbers to absorb the awkwardness but great places to make new friends!
CHECK FOR DIETARY REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES AHEAD OF TIME AND DECIDE ON A MENU
It’s not ideal to find out about your friends new girlfriends dairy intolerance as you whip out the gorgeous chocolate tart you have been slaving over all day and have nothing else in the cupboards! Be prepared and double check with your guests before they arrive.
CHOOSE THE CROWD PLEASERS
Dinner parties are not the places to experiment with exotic dishes and flavours. You want everyone to enjoy their meal and have clean plates at the end of the evening. If you want to try anything new, make it the canapes or one of the side dishes.
HAVE ENOUGH PLATES AND GLASSES
This will help with the workload and the clearing at the end of the night. Washing up throughout the dinner will add an extra stress which could be avoided.
MAKE EXTRAS
Make sure you have extras for each course. Just one or two of each dish will account for any mishaps! This comfort blanket will also relieve the pressure on the cook and also may mean you have some scrummy leftovers for later!
BE PREPARED!
Try and carry out as much prep as possible. Even though you may be responsible for the dinner or organising the chef, try and sort out as much as possible beforehand so you can be the ‘hostess with the mostesss’ when your guests arrive!
WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK
Clean as you go and it’ll make it easier the day after! Wash as much up as your prepare the dinner and make sure you have an empty dishwasher before your start. You never know - you may also have some extra hands to help along the way!
ENJOY IT!
Don’t let the dinner stress you out! You will have put in a lot of effort to prepare and cook everything so make sure you relax and enjoy your friends company also. Things may go wrong but you are amongst friends so do not worry and have a good time!
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