For some, entertaining people for a meal comes naturally. Maybe they grew up in a home where they saw their parents entertained. Maybe they have a knack for being super organized and calm while juggling all the moving parts needed to put a meal on the table. And then there are the rest of us, those who want to entertain people but are confused by all the reasons to postpone.
Accommodation does not need to be formal. It doesn’t have to look like my parties or others you see on Instagram. The purpose of entertaining is to bring people together to spend time together, no matter the size of your home or your culinary skill level. Even without the pressure of comparison, it can be overwhelming to think about everything you have to do before and during such an occasion.
Hassle-free hosting
I want you to invite people. So I asked my friend (and generous host) Lisa to collaborate on an entertaining new series on Wit & Delight called “Come Over For…”. In each article, we’ll share all the essential information for throwing a delicious party around a specific theme or idea, including a schedule for the day before and the day of, a detailed grocery list and recipes for each menu item. The series aims to make it easier to replicate these kinds of 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 gracious and calm host for large parties and small dinners. She is also an incredible cook and develops her own recipes. She created all the recipes in this article! By collaborating on this series, we explore a richer approach to hosting that combines both our styles and expertise.
Submit your email here to receive recipes, the complete grocery list and the accommodation calendar.
Beyond cooking and entertaining, Lisa is the founder of Hackwith Design House and a multi-hyphenate creative who is good at everything she does. And above all, she has confidence in her abilities to create. I admire this so much about her because half the battle of creation is being willing to try.
Lisa and I wanted each recipe and step in this series to be light and doable. It’s entertaining without the added hassle. It reminds us that a simple approach to hosting can still feel special.
Come for… a casual dinner
For the first version, we had a casual, easy, beautiful, delicious and memorable dinner party. A daunting task to complete, but we did it! The menu for this casual dinner is intended to be easy to serve while remaining special. It’s vegetarian, hearty and delicious, so everyone will be satisfied.
Here is the menu, including a cocktail to start the evening:
- Vermouth Spritz
- Salad of sliced fennel, grilled hazelnuts and arugula
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta
- Lemon panna cotta
Submit your email here to receive recipes, the complete grocery list and the accommodation calendar.
5 tips for having fun with ease
Whenever I host a dinner party, these are the things I like to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable, stress-free evening.
1. Create a menu
We took care of it for you! When creating a menu for a dinner party, I like to consider how many people are there and what steps need to be taken to get the food to the table. This menu is perfect for up to six people but can easily be expanded without much effort.
Here’s another tip: If you’re making a new dish and want to practice making it, consider giving it a test run first. Prepare it about a week before the party for your family or yourself so you are familiar with the steps.
2. Plan Ahead
Plan the preparation so you don’t feel rushed the night of your dinner. Lisa and I put together a timeline for what needs to be done before and before the party so you have an idea of how to manage your pace and that of the evening.
For more tips on planning, creating a guest list and sending invitations, read this article: “How to Plan a Dinner Party: My Best Tips to Simplify the Process.”
3. Keep it simple
You don’t need an elaborate table setting or ambiance. When it comes to setting the table, I think simplicity is always more elegant. For this dinner, we set the table with just a few elements: a striped tablecloth, taper candles and pieces of fresh fruit. We added a floral arrangement to a nearby seating area, placed a superb playlistand let everything else go.
4. Ask for help
For this dinner, I arrived early to help Lisa before the other guests arrived. Don’t hesitate to ask for help! This can alleviate last-minute stress and make the preparation process much more enjoyable. Jobs you could assign to your assistant include:
- Make the cocktails
- Make the vinaigrette
- Slice the fennel and fruit for the salad
- Remove dishes accumulated during cooking
- Set the table
5. Go with the flow
If you plan ahead and do your best not to feel rushed, you should be ready to enjoy the occasion with your guests. All this to say that something is going to go wrong. Laugh about it, ask for help, and remember that the best memories are often the ones where something deviates from the plan. I’ve never had a single party without something going wrong. Dessert didn’t come, I forgot a place, the music stopped playing or the rice burned. It’s good. It happens to everyone. The more you host, the easier it becomes to go with the flow and have fun.
Submit your email here to receive recipes, the complete grocery list and the accommodation calendar.
There is so much more to come! In the coming months this series will continue and it won’t always be about dinners. We want to share how to host a simple dessert party, afternoon tea, no-cook lunch, and Friendsgiving, among other ideas. Stay tuned!
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning to play tennis and it’s forever test the limits of your creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
