How to Host a Casual Dinner Party and 5 Tips for Easy Entertaining | Wit & Delight

Dmitry Kuznetsov
8 Min Read
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A woman is sitting on an outdoor table with tweezers to collect a large portion or paste of fresh fungiA woman is sitting on an outdoor table with tweezers to collect a large portion or paste of fresh fungi
All Stephanie Sunberg photos

For some, having people for a meal is natural. Maybe they grew up in a house where they saw their parents entertain. They may have a gift for being super organized and quiet while juggling with all the moving parts of taking a meal to the table. And then we are the rest of us, those who want to have people but entangle us in all the reasons to postpone.

Organizing Doess does not have to be formal. You don’t have to look like my parties or any other you see on Instagram. The objective of entertainment is to gather people to spend time together, governed the size of their home or their level of cooking ability. Even without the Compison pressure, it may be excessive to think about everything you have to do before and the duration of such occasion.

A kitchen corner in a kitchen, with hazelnuts toasted on the stove. In the adjacent countertop there are cooking tools, olive oil and salt and pepper.A kitchen corner in a kitchen, with hazelnuts toasted on the stove. In the adjacent countertop there are cooking tools, olive oil and salt and pepper.

Organizing without all the uproar

I want you to have people. So I asked my friend (and a generous host) Lisa to collaborate in a new entertaining series on Wit & Delight called “Come over for …” In each publication, we will share all the essential information to organize a lovely party around a specific topic or idea, including a timeline for the previous day and the day of a detailed purchase list and recipes for each menu element. The series aims to facilitate the replication of the thesis of the occasions for your group of friends or family.

Lisa and I have been cooking and sharing meals for a long time. She entertains wonderfully and is a friendly and quiet host for large parties and small dinners equally. She is also an incredible cook and has been developing her own recipes. He created all recipes in this publication! By collaborating in this series, we are exploring a richer approach to the accommodation that combines our styles and experience.

Send your email here to receive the recipes, complete the list of groceries and the accommodation timeline.

The open shelf shows a beautifully arranged variety of kitchen books and novelsThe open shelf shows a beautifully arranged variety of kitchen books and novels

Beyond the kitchen and entertainment, Lisa is the founder of Hackwith Design House and a multihiphenate creativity that is good in everything she does. And, more importantly, trust your skills to create. I admire this for her because half of the battle to create is willing to try.

Lisa and I wanted to maintain all the recipes and pass in this light and feasible series. He is entertaining without the entire extra uproar. It is a reminder that a simple approach to accommodation can still feel special.

A large bowl full of fresh and fennel arugula is found in a white countertop. Next to the bowl there are pieces of paper with recipes and ingredient lists.A large bowl full of fresh and fennel arugula is found in a white countertop. Next to the bowl there are pieces of paper with recipes and ingredient lists.

Come for … an informal dinner

For the first iteration, we select an informal dinner that is easy, beautiful, delicious and memorable. A difficult task to fill but we did it! The menu for this informal dinner is Meean to be easy to bring to the table, but it is still special. It is vegetarian, stuffed and delicious, so everyone will be satisfied.

Here is the menu, including a cocktail to start the night:

  • Vermut Spritz
  • Shaved fennel, roasted hazelnuts and arugula salad
  • Creamy fungi paste
  • Lemon panna
A woman wears a single shoulder dress. She is standing in a kitchen and holding two small vermouth Spritz cocktails.A woman wears a single shoulder dress. She is standing in a kitchen and holding two small vermouth Spritz cocktails.

Send your email here to receive the recipes, complete the list of groceries and the accommodation timeline.

5 Entertainment tips easily

Every time I organize a dinner, the thesis is the things that I like to take into account to guarantee a low and pleasant night.

1. Create a menu

We have tasks taking this for you! When creating a menu for dinner, I like to consult the number of people who attend and what steps are needed to take food to the table. This menu is perfect for up to six people, but it can be easily expanded without much effort.

Here is another advice: if you are cooking a new dish and want to practice doing it, consider doing a test of test first. Do it a week or so before the party for your family or for you so you can feel comfortable with the steps.

Five friends gather for an informal dinner. They are sitting in a brick patio, drinking vermouth spritz cocktails and chatting before dinner.Five friends gather for an informal dinner. They are sitting in a brick patio, drinking vermouth spritz cocktails and chatting before dinner.

2. Plan in advance

Plan the preparation so that the dinner event does not feel hastened. Lisa and I organize a timeline for what you have to do in advance and before the party so that you have an idea of ​​how to accelerate yourself and the event.

To obtain more advice on planning, create a guest list and send invitations, read this publication: “How to plan a dinner: my best tips to simplify the process.”

A Rúcula, fennel and peach salad is being placed on a table. On the table there is a scratched tablecloth, conical candles, peaches and oranges, and pink glasses.A Rúcula, fennel and peach salad is being placed on a table. On the table there is a scratched tablecloth, conical candles, peaches and oranges, and pink glasses.

3. Keep it simple

You do not need an elaborate landscape or environment. When it comes to configuring the table, I think it is always more elegant. For this dinner, we place the table with just a few things: a scratched tablecloth, conical candles and pieces of fresh fruit. We add a floral arrangement to a nearby seat area, put a great playlist and let everything else go.

4. Ask for help

For this dinner, I introduced myself early to help Lisa before the other guests arrived. Do not shy away from help! You can relieve last minute stress and make the preparation process much more pleasant. Jous, you could give your assistant includes:

  • Make cocktails
  • Salad
  • Cut the fennel and fruit for the salad
  • Make the dishes that have accumulated while they cook
  • Set the table
A group of friends gathered around an outdoor dining table is eating Panna Cotta de Limón for dessert.A group of friends gathered around an outdoor dining table is eating Panna Cotta de Limón for dessert.

5. Go with the flow

If you plan in advance and do your best to not feel hurried, you must be configured to enjoy the occasion with your guests. All that to say, something will go wrong. Laugh, ask for help and remember that the best memories are often when something deviates from the plan. I have never organized a single party without something going sideways. The dessert did not get, I forgot a place settings, the music stopped working or the rice burned. Alright. It happens to everyone. The more shelters, the easier it will be to go with the current and have fun.

Send your email here to receive the recipes, complete the list of groceries and the accommodation timeline.

There is much more to come! In the coming months, this series will continue, and it is always dinners. We want to share how to organize a simple dessert party, an afternoon tea, an unbalanced lunch and friends of friends, among other ideas. Stay tuned!

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