Life and Art from FT Weekend How to host the perfect dinner party
Sep 22, 2023
FT's food and drink editor, Harriet Fitch Little, shares practical tips for hosting a perfect dinner party that you'll actually enjoy. From creating the right ambiance to serving the right wine, she emphasizes being yourself and foregoing homemade everything. Polite ways to end a party and enjoying your own party without overwhelming yourself with preparations are also discussed.
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Two Models Of Dinner Parties
- Harriet distinguishes two dinner-party models: curated strangers versus cooking for close friends.
- The hosting principles (comfort, atmosphere) apply to both formats equally.
Late-November Intimate Soundtrack
- Harriet describes her dream late-November dinner with quiet music and friends.
- She recommends Prince's A Piano And A Microphone as the perfect soundtrack.
Cozy Midwinter Kitchen Gathering
- Lila imagines a crowded February dinner with eight friends squeezed into her kitchen.
- She wants a lively, cozy atmosphere where conversation is forced by proximity.