Dinner at your place? Here’s how to host dinner at home
It doesn’t matter if you’re, shall we say, ‘of a certain age’, or if you’re a lot younger than that, the key fact about dinner at home is that it’s nowhere near as formal ( by which we mean scary) as it once was. Dinner parties are not the minefield of conventions and rules that they once were. ‘Phew’ we hear you say!
That said, if you’re going to do it, you need to do it well. Now, this is not a cookery course, but we can give you some hints and tips on how to make the meal go well.
First off, and not unsurprisingly, much of the success will be down to the planning. Think ahead. Decide on the menu, buy the ingredients, don’t set your culinary sights above your abilities. It’s a social event not the final of Masterchef!
In fact, one of the important things about planning is to plan so that you’re not in the kitchen all the time. Get yourself organised so you can spend time with your guests rather than getting into a meltdown over the hob.
The right tools are key to any job so having good utensils is essential. Check out the Prestige range. The Prestige Everyday Stainless Steel 5 Piece Saucepan Set is really good, and really good value. Stainless steel base for even heat distribution, non stick interior (no offence!) and glass lids make these a really practical and useful set of pans. They’re dishwasher safe too - more time to spend chatting.
We’re always impressed by products form Denby, and the extensive Denby Baking and Serveware Range has pretty much everything you’ll need in the baking, roasting and casserole departments. And much more besides.
It sounds a bit obvious but it’s a very good idea to check if you’ve got enough cutlery for all the guests. Viners is always a go to brand and the Viners Calcot 16 Piece Cutlery Set is a stainless steel steal. (See what we did there?). Realistically priced for 4 table knives, 4 table forks, 4 dessert spoons and 4 tea spoons these pieces are dish washer safe. They’re mirror polished too which makes for a great place setting.
Which links quite neatly to the question of setting the table. Now, do not panic! But, there is a fair amount to to do, so laying the table the day before is time well spent. Honestly, it’s another job done, well in advance and it’s another chance to check that you’ve got all you need before it becomes a last minute dash next door to borrow a set of plates that a) you won’t like and b) you’ll be terrified of breaking. So terrified that you will of course smash one on your kitchen floor.
But let’s be positive. It’s all going well and it’s time to serve. When it’s a question of crockery the answer is often Denby. ‘Iconic’ is a rather over used word nowadays but this brand, in our opinion, warrants it. The Denby Linen 16 Piece Dinner Set is ideal as a starter set for those new to entertaining, or as additional crockery for the more established home. 4 dinner plates, 4 tea plates, 4 bowls and 4 coffee beakers - and they’re all dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe. That’s versatile, and practical!
So, you’re all set. You’ll need to think about drinks - alcoholic and non alcoholic please. Maybe choose some tracks to play in the background. That’s definitely one to sort the day before. Don’t forget to ask your guests well ahead of the night if they have any allergies. Likes and dislikes you can always deal with, but allergies can be dangerous.
It’s another obvious one but get the shopping done well in advance. And take a list. It is absolutely certain that if you do not take a list you will forget something. And it will be a vital something.
That’s it. Go. We’re assuming our invite is in the post. Oh…ok…we understand.
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25th June 2018