Dinner parties are an elegant way for the mature and sophisticated to socialize with family and friends. While they can sometimes be stressful to organize, the payoff of a successful dinner party is a home full of satisfied guests, and incredible memories.

A dinner party doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience for the host; it is actually very simple to organize a terrific dinner party. Here is my step by step, how-to guide for throwing your very own stellar dinner!

Dinner party dilemma #1: The guests!

Obviously, the first thing that needs to be addressed in the planning of a dinner party is the guest list. My recommendation is to keep the guest list under 10 people. After all, having dinner is supposed to be about intimacy and friendship; the more people added into the mix, the more opportunity there is for chaos.  Also remember, you need to have adequate space to accommodate your guests, so only invite as many people as you can sit comfortably at your dinner table.

Try to invite people you know to be like-minded, and will most likely get along with each other, as this will be key in the harmony of your dinner party. After all, the goal is to create an opportunity for your loved ones to socialize with one another and leave your house feeling happy and satisfied.

Some pre-party nibblies

Dinner party dilemma #2: What to serve!

The most important element of a successful dinner party is, of course, the food! That being said, there are some easy steps you can take to make sure you’ll prepare a meal that everyone will love. Firstly, review the guest list, and try to consider everyone’s individual tastes, preferences, allergies, etc. You should know your dinner guests well enough to guess what they would like to eat, but if this is not the case do not hesitate to ask in advance regarding food preferences or allergies.

Next, plan on cooking for double the amount of people you have invited. This may seem excessive, but it is better to have leftovers than to be short on food and left with hungry guests.

When planning your menu, keep the following in mind:

1.       You will need a star of your meal- this usually is in the form of a protein (the turkey at Thanksgiving, for example!); but if you prefer a vegetarian meal, this could be a pasta dish, rice dish, or other vegetarian alternative.
2.       Plan at least one vegetable dish, to accompany the meal. I recommend planning a few different vegetable dishes; this can be something as simple as steamed veggies, or can be a more elaborate vegetable side. Try to be creative!

3.        Plan at least one or two starch sides, to accompany your meat and veg. This can be rice, potatoes, noodles, etc. Everyone loves delicious starchy foods, so be sure to have more than enough as they tend to be inexpensive anyway, and it`s a great way to fill up hungry dinner guests.

4.       Plan foods that guests can nibble before dinner is served. Generally, people show up for dinner starved. So it is a good idea to provide snacks and beverages while dinner is being finished. Cheese and crackers are standard, and go great with wine. Make sure to have a variety of high-quality cheeses, and a few different types of crackers and breads, so that your platter looks full and welcoming.  A fruit or veggie platter is also a great idea.

5.       Plan an appetizer. Once again, this all factors in to making sure your guests leave fully satisfied. Besides that, appetizers are a good way to add a little more sophistication into your dinner party. Think about it- when you go to a fancy restaurant for dinner, you will most likely have more than one course. The same standards should apply for your dinner party.

6.       Plan dessert. Dessert doesn`t have to be complicated, it can be something as simple as store-bought cakes or pies. However, it is important that your menu includes a yummy dessert, as this is what will finish the meal and ensure the happiness of all your guests. Although not always necessary, I find that garnishing the dessert with fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc) adds an element of freshness. Mint leaves are a great touch as well!

7.       Stock up on vino. While it is a good idea to keep other alcoholic drinks available, wine is usually expected at dinner. Plan your menu, and find a selection of red and white wines that will go well with your food. Make sure you have enough wine to go around; this is no time to be cheap!

Dinner party dilemma #3: Ambiance!

The environment in which your party is hosted is just as important to your guests as the food that is served. This should go without saying, but just in case there is clarification needed, make sure your home is clean and tidy well before guests arrive. This includes the kitchen. While no cook enjoys having nosy guests hovering in the kitchen while the food is being finished, it should be expected that people will come into the kitchen at some point. Be sure to clean as you cook, washing pots and pans as needed, and give the floors and countertops a cleaning before anyone arrives.  Think of it this way- the cleanliness of your kitchen, and home in general, will go a long way to bettering the experience of your dinner guests. After all, would you want to eat dinner in a dirty house?

Also consider mood lighting. If your light switches have dimmers, dim the lights slightly but not so much that people can`t see each other. Candles are another way to create mood lighting, and add to the ambiance by releasing a pleasant scent in your home.

With these helpful tips, and good organization and planning ahead of time, your dinner party is sure to be a raging success! Stay tuned for more great tips, as well as recipes and advice to solve all your food and hosting dilemmas! Happy hosting!

Lizz Hill, a Toronto-based chef, runs her own catering company, called The Girl Next Door Catering.  She also teaches cooking at the LCBO.