11th May 2019 / Prue Fletcher: The Art of Hosting a Dinner Party

As the cooler months roll in, so does the urge to stay indoors. Luckily, Autumn and Winter bring with it the promise of warm, delicious meals to feast upon.

Not only meals to comfort you on your coldest days, but meals you can share with your closest friends and family.

As the chilling winds of Winter make their way down south and we find ourselves tucking in the bottom of our pants to our bed socks, I could think of no better way to ensure you don't miss out on the electric Melbourne nightlife than by bringing the party to you!

Hosting a dinner party is one of my greatest joys, but being in the presence of good food and great company goes beyond well-researched recipes and deciding what's on the wine list for the evening. For such a night to run smoothly, you have to be prepared.

So, if you're ready to impress and want to make sure your guests come back for seconds, here are my top tips for hosting an unforgettable dinner party!

PREP

Ensure you have all the finer details out of the way before your guests start to arrive. Mix and dress your garnishes ahead of time. Bring out the silverware, placemats, candles and wine to make sure your table is looking on point. Wash and empty the dishwasher as part of your prep - there's nothing more stressful than trying to entertain your guests while looking for a clean knife amongst piles of dishes!

SPEND & SAVE

Nowadays, you don't need to dust off the crockery set you received as part of your wedding registry to make an impression. @freedom_australia and @hmhome all have modern, affordable choices for you to decorate your table. In saying that, the one thing I will never skimp on is glassware. A glass of Perrier-Jouet just won't taste the same from a thick-rimmed goblet. Pay attention to sizes and make sure you have practical and elegant options for your whites and reds.

SCENTS

My advice; try not to compete too much with the flavoursome aromas of your cooking. While I agree that flowers and candles can set the tone for a beautiful evening, I have always been of the belief that less is more. When choosing scents for your bathroom, some of my favourite collections can be found via @sohmelbourne, where you can purchase candles named after iconic areas of Melbourne for that extra special touch.

ZONING

Once the meal has finished, I always enjoy moving guests from the dining table to a warmer, more relaxed environment. Have a dessert wine at the ready, some high-quality sweets or chocolates on hand and change your Spotify playlist to Relaxed Chill. In Airbnb terms - you're well on your way to becoming a 'Super Host'.

Salute!