3 Ways to Host a Dinner Party in Style

I’m the kind of person who looks for any excuse to throw a party. Nothing makes me happier than good food, amazing wine, and great people. But wanting to throw a dinner party is one thing—actually doing it is another altogether. That said, while hosting a dinner party can admittedly feel overwhelming, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be. We tapped the entertaining experts from one of our favorite wine brands, La Crema, for their best tips to help you seamlessly plan and execute a magical night for everyone. Below, Emily Pickral, a Master Sommelier, weighs in on everything from stocking a self-serve bar to pairing wines with a multi-course meal. Keep on reading to learn the best way to throw a dinner party, according to your hosting style.

1. For the laid-back host: a buffet and self-serve bar

Source: Alaina Kaz

When it comes to hosting, setting up a buffet and a self-serve bar is the most hands-off approach, so if your entertaining style is more laid-back, this is the right move for you. Decide on your menu ahead of time and whether you’re going to have each guest bring a dish or prepare all the food yourself. Then make sure you have plenty of flatware, dinnerware, and drinkware, as well as serving pieces like platters and pitchers so guests can easily serve themselves. Simple offerings like a charcuterie board, salads, and finger foods are crowd-pleasing options that work great for these gatherings. Avoid foods that are messy to serve or eat, such as soup or spaghetti.

Get the majority of your cleaning done a few days before the party, and spend the day of setting up your buffet and self-serve bar. You’ll want to lay out your food in the order in which it’s typically eaten, from appetizers to entrées and all the way through desserts. For the bar, make sure to choose a variety of wines that will accommodate different palates and preferences, Pickral said. A few favorites she recommends? La Crema’s Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc. In general, Pickral advised planning on about one bottle for every three to four guests. If you need more help figuring out how much wine to buy, this guide has your answers.

Before the party starts, fill up ice buckets to chill your white and sparkling wines, and uncork your reds so they can breathe ahead of time. Likewise, make sure to set out plenty of wine glasses, wine openers, napkins, and small dishes for snacks. And don’t forget serving utensils for each dish!

2. For the elevated yet approachable host: a family-style meal

Source: Alaina Kaz

A family-style meal is a great option for a smaller, more intimate gathering because it makes everyone feel at home. Plus, since all the food and wine bottles are laid out directly on the table, it makes your job as host easy. Having fresh bread on the table to start is always a good idea. Round out the rest of the menu with a salad, a protein like steak or fish, a veggie dish, and a carb option like pasta or potatoes. Once the food is ready, arrange everything on platters or in serving bowls with utensils for each dish so guests can fill their own plates.

To make prep work easier, lay out your serving dishes before your guests arrive, and set the table with dinnerware, flatware, glasses, and wine bottles. Depending on the kind of menu you’re offering, you can choose to serve one type of wine or provide a variety of reds, whites, and sparkling options to appease all your guests. “Putting out a few different types of wine is great to mix and match different pairings together,” Pickral said. To keep your white and sparkling wines chilled on the table, she recommended utilizing a stainless-steel wine chiller because most are slim and can easily fit between dishes. Also, be sure to set a pitcher of water on the table and fill up your salt and pepper shakers before your guests arrive.

3. For the ultimate host: an elegant plated meal

Source: Alaina Kaz

The key to nailing a formal dinner party is to plan in advance. First and foremost, iron out the guest list and send out invitations so you can determine how much food and wine you’ll need. Then start planning the menu along with your wine pairings. Depending on how many courses you want to serve, your menu might include an appetizer, soup, entrée, dessert, and cheese course. In general, you should plan to pair one wine with each course, with the option to pair two different wine options during the entrée, Pickral said. Her golden rule for pairing wines with food? Pair light with light, and heavy with heavy.

“If you are serving a salad with a vinegar- or citrus-based dressing, choose a wine that is equally citrusy and crisp, like Sauvignon Blanc,” she said. “Once you get into things like grilled meats or dishes with rich sauces, this is where you could serve things like Merlot, Syrah, or Cabernet Sauvignon.” To finish off the evening, serve a sweet wine such as Riesling alongside a fruity dessert, or opt for a Pinot Noir to balance a rich, chocolatey one.

Since this type of dinner party requires the most work, it’s a good idea to reserve it for smaller groups (six to eight people total is ideal). To set the table, break out the tablecloth along with your best dishes, cutlery, and glassware. Keep in mind that you need to provide a plate for part of the meal, including the bread, salad, and main dinner entrée. Depending on your menu, you might also need to set out a bowl for soup and a dessert plate and fork. “If the dishes you’re serving pair with white wines and red wines, utilize glassware suitable for each wine respectively,” Pickral said. To really go the extra mile, set out place cards so guests know exactly where to sit, and add some fresh, mildly fragrant flowers and unscented candles to the table to enhance the ambience.