Food For Thought
How to plan and organize a dinner party at home
By Dylan, Director of Food & Beverage – Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa
Food is a fantastic topic of conversation for almost all occasions, including weddings, parties, casual gatherings and even funerals
One of my favorite things to do is to host a dinner party for close friends. Good conversation, full flavored creative food and sensational wines are major ingredients to a successful dinner party; however, there are some other tips that I can recommend.
* In essence a dinner party is a time to indulge, in food, wine and a few jokes. Usually a dinner party takes place at the table, so dress the table up with polished glassware. Ruby colored glassware and amber are definitely in at the moment. Rustic colors, bare wooden table tops and unique china ware in different shapes and deeper colors are also in.
* Try to give your dinner party a theme. Some suggestions are to use a particular colored food such as mango or citrus fruits, an ingredient that is present in each dish or a wine dinner using wine from a particular region. Fancy dress parties and 70’s themes are definitely out! Make the focus the food and or wine.
* Try setting the table in an alternative place. If you are doing a wine dinner, set the table in a wine cellar. If you don’t have a wine cellar, place some wine racks around the table. Other locations can include by a fireplace or in a well-kept garden. Make the quarters close; it helps to create rapport amongst the guests.
* Light the candles early. Make the atmosphere warm, inviting and comfortable rather than formal.
* If your dinner is based around wine and food tasting make sure the conversation is varied. Too much wine info is outright boring, especially for those who just like to drink the wine without the background. Consult a sommelier or drop by a hotel to and speak to an F&B director or manager for some pointers regarding your wine selection. Bring the menu and try to match the wine and food. Put as much effort in the wine as you do in the food.
* If dining outside make sure the area is made comfortable for your guests. Use fans if the weather is warm, use a protected area if there is a chance of rain or strong wind. Also remember the mosquito repellant for guest comfort.
* Write and print a menu. Send it with the initial invitation. This will help to build anticipation. Use colored paper and try to match the color or invitation style with your theme of the party.
* Serve pre dinner drinks in a separate area to the dinner. This will also help to build anticipation. What’s hot at the moment in the drinks department? Cold beers from Belgium, warm rums from Jamaica and flavored vodkas are in at the moment. Try serving a vodka martini, rum with ginger ale and beers in well chilled tall glassware.
* If children are coming, let them join in the initial drinks and then have some activities ready for them to go onto after. Remember happy kids mean happy parents.
* Try not to use flowers. Get creative with your decoration. Try to keep in line with your theme. Use one kind of fruit in tall jars, use grapes if your theme is about wine, use bare branches, and bamboo rather than overflowing bunches of flowers.
* Follow your theme through. Here’s an example; if your theme is citrus (Lime or Lemon) have lemon scented oil burning in the dining area. Wear a yellow or green shirt or dress, use lemons and lime for decoration, garnish your food with lemons and lime, ensure each dish has a citrus theme. Use vodka martinis with a twist, have lemon scented cold towels on arrival, have lemon amenities in the bathroom and try to have music playing with the word lemon or lime in the lyrics. Yellow, helium filled balloons will also help with the effect.
* Make sure you have at least 4 courses, followed by freshly ground and brewed coffee. Remember that coffee is one of the most important factors in a dinner party. A great coffee will be the last thing they remember as your guests are leaving.
* Arrange taxis to pick up your guests and to drop them off. Ensure your guests arrive and get home safely.
In the next edition will talk about What’s Hot and What’s Not – when being served. Good health, great food and good luck for your next party.
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