your dinner party bible pt. 1
maybe it’s the excitement of a new cookbook on the horizon (pre-order tahini baby here!), maybe it’s purely the buzz of the holiday season, but i’m suddenly in the mood to host a party — or twelve.
the idea of a dinner party sounds pretty perfect: people you love cozying up to share a delicious meal. heaven.
but the running around before the actual party starts? not so much.
that’s why this month, i’m introducing a new series: eden entertains.
consider this your holiday season bible – i’ll be sharing my time-saving hacks, luxe shortcuts, crowd-pleaser recipes, and hosting best practices for anything from a date night to a full-blown feast.
in part one, we’ll set the scene. think: my favorite decor, easy ways to elevate the experience + more.
lean into an unexpected game-changer
this might sound like a no-brainer, but up until recently i never really saw the point of a salad plate. that is, until i picked up this set from leanne ford’s crate + barrel collection for a big dinner party for ido’s birthday.
these textured, perfectly imperfect plates are a step up from your average white dishware. i use them for salad or any first course (and also dessert!) — so much more pleasant than shoving food over to make room for the next course on a dirty plate. i may be late to the salad plate game, but now i’m fully invested.
choose your vessels wisely
it’s a known fact that drinks taste better in cool glassware. ok, by well-reported i mean that’s how i feel, but based on the compliments i’ve gotten about these wine glasses from material kitchen, i’m going to go ahead and say it’s true.
they are so unique, and i think a collection of sleek, chic glassware totally elevates any party.
use what you have
the other day i saw an Instagram post where a woman took a glass cake stand turned the cover upside down, and used it to make a punch bowl. that’s the kind of creativity i look for in a dinner party hack. you do not need to spend a lot or stock up on new things.
plus, making a batch cocktail (keep your eyes peeled for my favorite recipe in the next email!) saves time and energy, and looks beautiful on a tablescape.
bigger is better
when i really want to wow a crowd, sometimes all it takes is picking the right way to display the meal. big serving platters, like this one from lulu and georgia, make any dish look instantly more elegant and colorful. grab two, plate them on either side, and prepare for “oohs” and “ahhs.”
set the vibe — and table
i like to go with decorations that i can get a lot of mileage out of. a gorgeous tablecloth like this linen beauty from crate + barrel does a lot of the heavy lifting. I also always have seasonal fruit on my counter, and i reach right for it to decorate.
sprinkle some in between a bunch of candles, or ask your local florist about whatever seasonal filler they have (i’m partial to eucalyptus + olive branches), and you have a seasonal atmosphere in minutes.
go stove-to-table
in addition to big platters, another serving style i love is embracing my inner balaboosta and bringing my pots from the stove or oven directly to the table. this really contributes to the home-cooked, welcoming feeling, not to mention how much easier it makes cleanup! just make sure to invest in some great trivets.
keep it simple
ok, this is a safe space, right? i used to always panic about napkin folding. That is, until i realized that by simply folding it in half, and then into thirds and lay it down on the plate, you’ve got the most elegant and modern way of presenting your napkins without trying too hard.
dress the part
surprisingly, i don’t really wear aprons often. ballsy, i know! especially when it comes to wearing my favorite clothes in the kitchen. but i do tend to throw one on for the beginning of the party, (i love this one!) so my outfit is protected during finishing touches.
once all the food is on the table, i throw it off, take my seat, and enjoy!
be sure to come back for part two later this month, where we’ll get things going in the kitchen!
xo, e
