With summer now here, there will be more and more opportunities to get together with friends and family. Due to the schedules being less hectic, it’s a good time to get together for more dinner parties. Going to dinner parties gives you the chance to try new dishes and get new recipes under your belt. It’s rare that I leave a dinner party without the thought of, ‘I need to make that dish!”.
When hosting, it’s all about the planning, being prepared for anything you or your guests might need to make the time a success.
To help create magical evenings, Food Network Chef Michael Smith teamed up with Cascade Platinum to share tips on how to make your dinner party sparkle, while cutting down your clean up time! Want your dinner party to sparkle? Follow these tips from Chef Michael Smith and your guests will be blown away:
1. Spend time to save time. Prep as much as you can in advance – from food to your table. Smart preparation will allow you to spend more time with your guests.
2. Make your guests feel special. Thoughtful details tell your guests they are special. Set the mood with music, place cards, flowers and sparkling dishes and glasses. I use Cascade Platinum in every cycle to make sure everything is ready for a big event.
3. Start with a bang! Do something collectively right away. A group activity subtly reminds everyone “We’re in this together!”
4. Give your guests something fun to do. At some point, engage your guests in an interactive activity, something hands on, that’s not work.
5. Clean as you go. Get the mess out of the way, and load the dishwasher as you prepare dinner. With Cascade Platinum, you don’t need to worry about pre-rinsing – it will clean stuck-on food in one wash.
6. Share the work. Many hands make light work. After the main meal and before dessert, encourage everybody to pitch in with clean up.
7. Grand finale. End the evening with something spectacular, something memorable, or my favourite—something flammable!
Check out Food Network for more tips and recipes from Chef Michael Smith and Cascade Platinum.
Quite honestly, my dishwasher is one item I just can’t do without. Next to washing walls, washing dishes is my most dreaded chore. Not only is it just a pain, my skin disagrees with the job PLUS after a night of entertaining, dishes is the last thing I’d like to do. My game is to start the dishwasher and relax with a glass of wine. Now that’s a successful dinner party!
Do you have any other dinner party tips to share?
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tanyab79 says
Do most of your prep work ahead of time and clean as you go to give you more quality time with your guests.
erica says
Make every moment special and be as carefree as possible. Don’t worry if things aren’t perfect. Guests appreciate a laid back hostess, and being relaxed will make the event way more fun!
Andrea says
Stay organized, be kind, and always entertain! 🙂
Judy Cowan says
Do as much prep as you can in advance and don’t complicate the meal. You want to be able to enjoy it too!
Debbie W says
I make lists and create the menu ahead of time.
kathy downey says
I love to prepare in advance if possible,prep if needed,have table set early and be sitting with a glass of wine when company arrives and while they enjoy their drink I set the table with food.
nicky says
get things prepared as early as possible, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from hubby, lol!
Josie says
have everything prepped and ready before everyone gets there so you can enjoy yourself to
caryn s says
I clean as i go while i cook and prep as much food ahead of time!
Belinda McNabb says
my dinner party success tip is to make items that can be prepared in advance
Glogirl says
My tips are to prepare as much in advance as possible or go potluck style and ask your guests to bring a main course or dessert.
Jenny says
tidy up the day before
heidi c. says
Clean up as you go and enlist help so that you are not left with a big mess and no time to chat with anyone!
Victoria Ess says
Make a detailed meal plan, and prepare dishes ahead of time if possible.
Silvia D says
try and prep ahead so can spend time with guests..also make sure things for the young ones, snacks, things to keep them busy
Shelley N says
planning is critical
KellyPC says
do as much prep as you can the day before
Tina L. says
Do as much preparation as you can ahead of time.
Michelle Policelli says
I like to get things prepared a day before a dinner party that way i don’t have be running around the house going crazy getting everything done at the last minute!
Sunshine G says
Always do a dry run first – you never want to try a new recipe at a dinner party!
Darwin says
Prep what you can before hand. If all else fails, go with a potluck party!
Jodi Mitrovic says
I always like to plan ahead and prepare as much as possible so that I can actually enjoy our guests and then I leave them mess up to Cascade! We love their products! Thanks for an awesome prize pack 🙂
Lisa H says
Order in! lol! Prepare what you can in advance so it’s just a matter of heating and serving during your party.
Donnas says
Don’t try out a new recipe on your guests, and prepare as much in advance, as possible.
Carol Denny says
Do as much ahead of time as you can
Brenda Lacourciere says
I prepare as much as I can in advance so I can spend more time with my guests. I hate not being able to sit and chat.
Soozle says
Check with any guests for food allergies/intolerances
Florence C says
Prepare as much as possible in advance. Delegate tasks to other members of the family.
Erin McSweeney says
prepare as much ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy your guests.
Melinda L. says
Have a pot luck, that way you have less dishes to prepare
Mel says
I prep all food and decorating before a dinner party.
Erika Letson says
Doing as much as you can the day before, even setting the table can really help. Also setting a reasonable menu, of foods you have made before, is key for me. I try to eliminate as much stress as possible, it’s supposed to be fun!
jamie hall says
doing as much prep work as possible
Emily C says
Make dishes you can prepare ahead of time.
Jan says
I like to try to remember not to stress! If something fails, nobody is going to get hurt.
Debbie F says
Prep as much as I can before guests arrive and clean up as I go along.
Elva Roberts says
Organization and preparation are the keys to a successful dinner party, in my opinion. Give yourself more time than you think you will need and do as many tasks as you can before the day. Little touches mean a lot. Welcome your guests as a rest and unhurried hostess.
lori b says
by preparing ahead
l p says
some of the most successful dinner gatherings are ones that include guests in food preparation (e.g., make your own pizza – provide the base, basic sauce, and choices for toppings). being flexible with what you’re making really helps. thanks
nicolthepickle says
My best tip is to make as much food as you can in advance. That makes it much more relaxing.
louise says
prep work ahead and be organized that way you can enjoy the evening yourself:)
Mishelle says
I make a list of things to be made and done before the day and schedule them in in the days before – same with making food; set up and end time and work backwards based on how long to cook. Has worked for me for 15 Christmases/Mom’s Days/Easters/Thanskgivings etc.
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Jonnie says
My tip is to prepare as much as you can ahead of time and to go with tried and true recipes so you aren’t stressed about them turning out right
Jolie says
I get organized and prepare everything ahead of time.
Ali P says
Do meal prep the night before, and make sure everyone is relaxed!
Michelle W says
Do the prep work ahead of time, so you have more time to spend with your guests
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
Prepare as much as possible in advance so that you have more time to spend with your guests 🙂
Susan T. says
Prepare as much as you can ahead of time so you can relax and have fun with your guests!
Amy C says
I like to have a plan and I also like to clean as I go.
Brenda Penton says
I like to plan everything out and get everything prepared way in advance
Vanessa N says
Prepare before hand so you can actually be with your guests instead of in the kitchen the entire time.
Jenna D says
don’t make too many items that require being served hot – it’s stressful to juggle lots of reheating or timing items to finish at the same time when hosting guests
Lindsay T says
Prep ahead so that you can enjoy yourself too!
Nicki says
Prepping as much as you can ahead of time takes a lot of the stress out of entertaining guests 🙂
Lee-Ann S says
Plan, plan and plan again so you can delegate and not have to worry something won’t get done.
Susan Patterson says
My best tip is to try and get as much as you can prepared beforehand, so you have less stress when everyone arrives. Don’t forget to ask for help if you get overwhelmed, and remember to enjoy your dinner party !!!!!!
Susan Patterson says
I always try to get everything that I can prepared before everyone comes. This way it makes it a lot easier. If you get overwhelmed, ask for help and remember to enjoy your dinner party!
Lisa McLain says
Stay calm and use paper plates LOL Less clean up after so you can enjoy your company and a glass of wine by the fire !
Dianne says
Plan ahead, make as much as you can ahead and make a list. When I have not made a list I have forgotten to put out things I made. Also accept help from your guests if they offer. It can be fun all working together to get everything out to the table and it saves you a lot of steps so you don’t tire out.
Betty S says
Keep it simple, you don’t need to do fancy smanshy. People want the conversation, the food is secondary
Nicole B says
I always prep things ahead so I don’t have to spend the whole time in the kitchen!
Sean M says
Convince someone else to host the dinner party 😀
leanne says
I try to prepare everything as early as I can.
Juliee Fitze says
Do all the prep ahead of time and make use of slow cookers for potatoes, veg. and meats to keep warm until dinner.
Nate Fuller says
I try to make things ahead of time that can easily be warmed up and served.
Heather S says
Prep work is key for me for a stress free party. I also tidy along the way so there isn’t a huge disaster to clean at the end of the night.
Rae Jean Wycoff says
Use recyclable disposables to keep cleanup to a minimum.
Jennifer P. says
For me I get all of the prep work done early – I do not like to be fussing with much once the guests arrive, so the table is set, food is prepared as much as possible (and all the clean up from prep already done), drinks are cold, glasses are out etc.
gene d says
clean over the course of the week. don’t wait til the last minute
Suzanne G says
My best tip is to invite a diverse group of people and don’t sweat the small stuff.
Grace s. says
For the best dinner party plan lots of make ahead dishes so you can enjoy as much as the company does.
Robyn Bellefleur says
I always prep ahead and try not to make dishes that require me to be in the kitchen a lot.
LMJF says
carrot cake needs to be made a day or more ahead…do advance things
Serena Debolt says
Create most of the dishes ahead of time so you aren’t struggling while your guests are there
Heather Lynne says
Getting things done in advance- preparation is a big one!
Lynne m says
Never try a new recipe that night. Be welcoming.
Carole Dube says
Prepare as much as possible in advance!
Elaine Buonsante says
Spread your house cleaning out over the week before your guests arrive so that you don’t exhaust yourself.
wendy hutton says
do as much as possible before guests arrive have snacks/drinks set out
Kate Hearn says
I like to have as much food prepared before hand and ready to go so I can spend time visiting, not cooking. I also like to find out allergies before hand to avoid any problems (as a shellfish allergy sufferer I know how hard it is to eat when there is stuff that can kill ya :))
Kat Est says
Don’t try a new recipe for the first time and ask your guests if they have any special dietary requirements 🙂
Vivian D. says
Make things simple by making dishes that you can prepare ahead of time.
Doris H says
Get the family involved for preparing because it’s too much stress for one person.
Kris L says
Prepare what you can before had so you can relax a bit!
Theresa C. says
My best dinner party tip is to consider having a potluck! 😉
Maria says
Prep as much as you can ahead
zahra p says
Prep the night before if you can, especially things like dessert. And enlist help with cleaning the place – you don’t have to do it all by yourself.
Amber Y says
My tip is to prep as much as you can the night before. Having to rush around during a party is the worst.
Rebby says
If your cutlery has hard water stains, you can shine it with vinegar!
Lisa McLain says
prepare ahead of time ! And enjoy !~
Dayle B. says
Make a list to do ahead of time. Also, freeze some of the appies.
Clean up as you go. Remember to have fun.
MOHAMMAD ANJUM says
Keep ready as you can in advance and You want to be able to enjoy it
Melanie B says
Try to prep as much as you can ahead of time so you can sit back and enjoy your guests!
angela m says
Prep and plan before guests arrive.
Tammy Dalley says
Plan organize and have lots off food on hand
Dayna Wilson says
Prepare as much as you can in advance and don’t be afraid to DELEGATE!
Leeannec says
I like to have things prepared ahead of time if I know the event takes place the next day. Such as fruit and sandwiches depending on what kind. I also like to have a place for garbage so it’s not all around the house. To clean as I go so there’s no a ton to do layer on. My dishwasher is my best friend when I have gatherings with friends and family. Dishes are not my favorite but it helps when you know they will be clean with Cascade Platinum.
Doreen Lamoureux says
I find the clean as you go works very well. Great tips you posted though. I love them all.
Kristy Short says
Always have lots of snacks in case supper is a miss
Stephanie LaPlante says
My tip is to get most of the cooking done in advance so you can enjoy your guests.
Julie Bolduc says
Prepare all the food that you can before hand
Marla P says
Clean as you go along
Julia says
Clean up as you go ,don’t let it pile up!
Maria McLachlan says
Spend some time preparing things ahead of time. Such as chop veg and have ready or make something like lasagna where you can make ahead of time.
christine says
I live cooking special the gs for those I love, so nor a lot of effort is needed
Josie Tusa says
Plan everything ahead of time and have everything ready when your guests arrive. Try to accommodate everyone’s special needs.
Cheryl says
I prepare as much as I can!! Never enough time once guests arrive!
Laurie P says
Food prep ahead of time, and cleaning as I go along so there’s not an accumulation of clutter while cooking/entertaining….