Deciding what to cook is half the fun. Gather ideas for menus that flow, flavours that work together and dishes that let you enjoy your own table.
01
Build the menu around one hero dish
Choose one dish worth the effort — a slow-cooked ragu, a proper dessert — and let everything else on
the menu be genuinely simple. Two ambitious dishes on one night is how hosts end up stuck in the
kitchen.
02
Always have one make-ahead course
At least one course should be fully made ahead and just plated on the night. It's the difference between
cooking a dinner party and hosting one.
03
Balance rich against bright
A menu that's all rich, all warm, or all heavy gets tiring by the second course. Pair something rich with
something bright — a heavy ragu wants a sharp, simple salad alongside it, not another creamy side
04
Sort dietary needs early, not on the day
Ask about allergies and preferences when you invite people, not the day before. A pasta salad or a GF
brownie already in your back pocket means you're not scrambling to adjust on the night.
05
Finish with Care
A small sweet treat or light coffee provides a perfect end to the evening.