Of course we love hitting up the hottest new restaurants in town, but there’s something extra special about a night spent around candlelight at home sharing stories with your crew. Not only can it help you save cash, but a dinner party is also the perfect excuse to channel your inner Masterchef and finally give that endless slew of recipes you’ve saved a whirl.
We’ve unleashed our inner Tomato Girl and teamed up with Monterosa Heirloom Tomatoes to arm you with simple tips on how to host the most delicious and aesthetic dinner party that your guests will froth over. Here are five sure-fire ways to become dinner party hosting royalty in no time.
Transport Your Guests On A Culinary Escape
As we saunter into those long luxurious summer months where the days seem to stretch on forever, it’s all about fresh punchy dishes that look and taste divine. For our team, it’s all about unadulterated seasonal produce that leaps right off the plate—remember, impressive doesn’t need to mean difficult. Kick off the evening with a classic caprese surrounding a perfectly plump burrata ball with slices of succulent Monterosa Heirloom Tomatoes and basil leaves on top. Then, grab some handmade pasta from your local Italian store, combine the Italian holy trinity—garlic, onion and chilli—into a sugo, and voila.
Don’t Be Afraid Of A Dopamine-Spiked Tablescape
Bold prints, luxurious textures and colourful geometric shapes—it’s time to ditch the pastels and create a visual feast for your unsuspecting guests. Go for a statement plate or tablecloth that sings, add plenty of flowers (or an olive branch or two from the back garden can also work a treat) and let your creativity soar. On a shoestring budget? Head to your local thrift store—from kitschy cool platters to serve up those Monterosa Heirloom Tomatoes to chic placemats and candleholders, the more mismatched the better in our books.
Arm Yourself With Tipples To Suit All Sip Preferences
Start with the basics—plenty of ice, fresh garnishes and some good quality tonic or soda water—then build from there. There’s nothing more thoughtful than a carefully curated cocktail (or mocktail), so meander through your local market to find seasonal fruits, throw in a splash of your go-to spirit, then get a little OTT with tons of citrus wedges, zesty herbs for punch and any other touches to suit the vibe.
Get Moody With Thoughtful Lighting
There's no such thing as too many candles. Point blank. Dim down those lights and create an intimate affair with plenty of warm, natural lighting. Keen to dine alfresco? Festoon lights are an inexpensive and easily accessible addition to your home that’ll give instant impact. Then all that’s left to do is sit back and soak in these beautiful balmy evenings under the moonlight.
Create A Perfect Playlist Everyone Will Want To Steal
A sprinkle of jazz, a splash of ‘90s funk and plenty of folky goodness—we know the right music can make or break a dinner party, so spend a little time curating some mellow tunes to complete the feasting journey. If you’re unsure where to start, all the big streaming services have a ton of cool pre-made collections to help strike some inspo.
If you haven't already jumped on the Monterosa Heirloom Tomatoes bandwagon, your gateway to a dreamy dinner party awaits. Head to Monterosa Heirloom Tomatoes to find out where you can get your hands on these babies, pronto.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Monterosa Heirloom Tomatoes and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credit: Urban List