A dinner party is great fun for so many reasons. It is a fantastic excuse to get all the family together or bring friends around and catch up if you haven’t for a while. It is also a lovely excuse to cook up some delicious food and tuck into some wine or cocktails. If you have had a long week, it’s something to look forward to and can be an ideal way to celebrate. If you are someone that loves to throw a dinner party and wants to take it up a notch, or if you’ve never done one before and are looking to ensure it goes off without a hitch, we’ve put together some top tips that are sure to help. Here are our pieces of advice to throw a memorable dinner party.

Consider your guests and what they like to eat

When you are cooking for a lot of people it can be a bit of a minefield choosing what to cook. The first thing you need to think of is the individual dietary requirements of those that are coming, for example, if anyone is vegetarian, vegan, or has anything they are allergic to. Once you have done this, find dishes that can accommodate everyone or do individual dishes for those that need them. From a baked ziti recipe to a veggie lasagne you’re sure to find something delicious! You could scour local cheese shops or bakeries to find delicious fresh ingredients.

Prepare as much as you can ahead of time

Dinner parties can require a lot of preparation so it’s important you prepare as much as you can ahead of time. This will enable you to make the most of the evening and enjoy spending time with everyone rather than having to slave away in the kitchen for hours on end. Things such as any chopping and peeling that can be done ahead of time should be prepared, and if you can make any sauces, do this the day before too. This will enable you to relax more on the night.

Provide enough to eat and drink

One of the most fundamental parts of the dinner party is having food and drink so you want to make sure you provide enough. The last thing you want is for your guests to go home feeling hungry and thirsty! It’s always better to have too much than too little after all. You could ask everyone to bring a bottle with them to avoid you having to spend a lot on top of what you’ve already shelled out for ingredients and everything else.

These are just a few top tips to throw a memorable dinner party. If it starts getting a bit stressful, make sure to take a step back and just enjoy the process. You are getting all your loved ones around to have fun and just enjoy the evening so try not to put too much pressure on it. What are some of your top tips for throwing a memorable dinner party? Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you.