BEYOND THE TABLE'S SUMMER HOSTING TIPS

There are a million and one things to think about when you are hosting an event, it’s almost impossible to think of every eventuality so I’ve prepared this list to try and cover the key points to ensure you are armed with all the tips and tricks to host the perfect event at home.

WHERE DO WE FIND YOU?

You spend everyday at your home and know how to get there like the back of your hand (hopefully!) but how about your guests. Let them know your address but also key landmarks to look out for. Tell them the colour of your front door, the best route to take, and critically, where to park! There is nothing worse than your guests turning up in a fluster because they couldn’t find anywhere to park! Ensure you put an outside light on if it’s a dark evening so your guests can easily find their way to your door!

ALCOHOL FREE

Is it dry Jan? Do you have guests attending who can’t or don’t drink? Make sure you have something exciting covered for them to drink beyond a glass of water or orange juice! Make sure to ask us about a non-alcoholic easy to prepare recipe.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Veggies, Vegans, Intolerances, there are so many potential considerations when it comes to you menu. Make sure you ask about dietary requirements if you don’t know this in advance to save potential embarrassment on the night and ask when you send your invites invite. Most menus can be easily adapted as long as you have thought this through in advance.

FRIDGE & FREEZER ESSENTIALS

Be the host with the most and have these following essentials in your fridge or freezer to cover any eventuality.

-       Ice, and lots of it. Never run out of ice!

-       Lemons and Limes. For drinks, sauces or last minute plate decoration.

-      Prepare Condiments. Guests shouldn’t ask for ketchup or mayo if you’ve not put it out but if that’s how they enjoy their food, and especially if you’re hosting children, why not! Tabasco, mustard and olive oil are also great staples to have available.

- Single Cream. Again, a last minute sauce saviour or perfect to rescue a dessert that’s gone a bit dry!

-       Soda water. Great for making a white wine last longer for anyone driving by creating a spritzer, essential for any after dinner indigestion or for someone who wants a break from the booze. It’s also super handy to use on clothes for anyone who drops their dinner or splashes red wine down themselves! (Almost always me!)

TRAYS

Trays are the unsung hero and make prep so much easier whilst also helping you keep organised throughout the night. Drinks reception, prepare a tray for that….. pile the glasses, garnishes and bottle opener on the tray so when its party time, all you need to do is pop a bottle or a cork! After dinner coffee… prep your mugs, sugar bowl, milk jug, teaspoons and after dinner chocs on a tray. All you need to do it flick the kettle on and make a pot of coffee or press the go button on the Nespresso machine. (It also means you’re not hunting for the ever illusive teaspoons that there never seem to be enough of after a few glasses of wine!)

TOILET MANNERS!

When hosting a party its likely your washroom facilities will have slightly higher traffic than normal, ensure you have taken that into consideration.

Firstly, make sure you have given it a good spruce up before hand and ensure there are plenty of loo rolls available. Why not put out a nice hand wash and hand cream duo (you can always take it out and save it for next time afterwards!), and ensure there is something for people to dry their hand on. I like to put individual handtowels in a small basket. If you want to go the extra mile, add a small bud vase with some fresh flowers on the window sill or light a candle, the room will smell great when your guests go in.

POST DINNER

Your dinner table offers the perfect environment to sit and relax following dinner. Dish out the coffees, liquors and chocolates and spend the evening hours and last flickers of candle light chatting and enjoying the company you are hosting. Have a card or trivia game on hand if your guests are new to each other, or, if its a warm Summer evening, have some cosy seating and blankets in the garden and continue your evening alfresco.

HOME TIME

Are you planning a quick bite with friends or a party through to the early hours? Either way, try and convey this with your invitation arrangements so your guests are in the know. There’s nothing worse than your night finishing earlier than expected as everyone has a taxi at 10.30pm but equally, a 2am finish might ruin plans if you’re planning a super early start the next day.

GET CREATIVE

There are no rules when it comes to hosting a dinner party, brunch, or drinks party. The art of hosting is to ensure your guests are looked after and that’s all that really matters. There is no set format, menu, table spread, timing or structure to your event so be creative in what you do. Serve dessert first, eat outside in Winter, play heavy metal music. As long as your guests enjoy themselves, get creative and host something unique! Trust me, it will be a memorable night for your friends or family!