Alexandra Davies from the kitchen appliance manufacturer Britannia Living shares her top tips for throwing a last-minute al fresco dinner party
Tips for throwing an al fresco dinner party
Planning around unpredictable British weather can be tricky, especially when your plans are of the al fresco kind. From BBQs to sunset soirees, plans can often be spontaneous. But hosting last-minute dinner parties comes with its own set of challenges and, if you aren’t prepared for them, your get-togethers won’t go as smoothly as you would like. With that in mind, Alexandra Davies from the kitchen appliance manufacturer Britannia Living shares her top tips for throwing the ultimate al fresco dinner party.
Don’t worry about getting things perfect
A last-minute dinner party is never going to be perfect, but don’t let that put you off from inviting your friends round — embrace it. The best nights are often those that took the least planning, after all.
Don’t worry if your crockery is mismatched, your garden table isn’t perfectly set, or your outdoor space isn’t looking its best. Spending the summer with your nearest and dearest should be about making memories and having great conversations. Nobody will remember that your lawn was slightly overgrown or the spread you put on wasn’t as fancy as it could’ve been. So, there’s no need to stress about it — allow your get-together to be perfectly imperfect.
Follow quick and easy recipes
Once your friends and family arrive, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend all of your time in the kitchen. So make sure you choose some quick and easy recipes that you can whip up at a moment’s notice. Salads are perfect for this — they’re cold and light, which means they work very well when temperatures soar, and they don’t have to be boring. You could easily make five different salads using different fruits, vegetables, and grains. So, there’ll be one to suit everyone’s tastes. If you’re stuck for ideas, BBC Good Food has a wide range of healthy salad recipes that are sure to inspire.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
When you decide to throw an impromptu al fresco dinner party, don’t feel like you have to do everything on your own. Your guests will be more than happy to help you out. When you text or call your guests to let them know your plans, don’t be afraid to mention that you would appreciate if everyone could bring their own drinks or even a dish that can be served at your get-together.
Alternatively, you could ask your friends to help you in the kitchen when they arrive. If you’ve picked out a few quick and easy recipes, it won’t be long before you’re all out enjoying the food, company, and wonderful weather.
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