What You Need to Know to Throw a Great Dinner Party

Dinner parties can be some of the best social experiences. With success characterized by great food, great company, and great conversation, what’s not to like? Of course, hosting a dinner party is entirely different from being a guest at one. It requires certain knowledge to pull off a great dinner party. So what are some things you need to know?

Get the Portions Right

Portions can be a sore spot when it comes to preparing a dinner party menu. There needs to be plenty of food for everyone, but not so much that you’re stuck with a week’s worth of leftovers after everyone goes home. Knowing how many people you’re feeding can make a huge difference, so encourage your guests to RSVP . Beyond that, it’s important to know who you’re feeding. If you know that your guests tend to have big appetites, you’ll need to plan for more food than if you would if they are more delicate with their portions.

Guests’ Dietary Needs

Of course, sometimes delicate portions aren’t so much a matter of preference but a matter of the types of food that are available. Specific dietary needs have become a lot more common lately, and accommodating any of your guests who have specific needs will be essential to them having a positive experience. If your guest list includes a wide variety of dietary needs, you may find it helpful to have menu items that are easily customized to suit such needs. Pizza is just one example. Pizza crusts can be made gluten-free, and there are topping options to suit virtually any needs. There are lots of great vegetarian toppings that work on a pizza . You can even find vegan substitutions if needed.

How to Steer a Conversation

Conversation can be one of the highlights of a dinner party, or it can be what causes it to crash and burn. The beauty of a dinner party is that it gives people a chance to socialize with people they normally wouldn’t, which can lead to some engaging conversation. Of course, that also means there is potential for some rather uncomfortable dinner party moments too. As a host, knowing how to guide dinner party conversation will help you make sure that conversation stays away from dangerous territory and remains enjoyable for all involved.

Throwing a great dinner party is an art in and of itself. It’s important to make sure you get the portions right, that you’re familiar with the dietary needs of your guests, and that you know how to steer a conversation. These points of knowledge and skill will help you ensure that everyone has a good time and leaves your dinner party salivating for an invitation to the next one.

Originally published at https://www.kingdomzx.com on March 3, 2021.