A dinner party is a Simple Feast appropriate for many occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, networking, and just for fun. We'll help you bring out the inner Julia Child you never knew you had, and show you how to plan a successful dinner party with ease.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Dinner Party

Planning a Dinner Party is really very simple.  The key is organization.  Follow The Simple Feast's easy steps below to create a memorable evening that makes coming over to your home for dinner better than any night out at a restaurant.

Select a Date - Pick a night that you think will work the best for those you have in mind.  A simple call or email 7 to 10 days before should work as an invitation.  However, if you're inviting guests with extremely busy schedules, consider sending out emails 2 - 3 weeks in advance.  Whenever you choose to send out your email, make sure you ask that everyone RSVPs so you know how many people are coming. If you have empty seats, you might want to fill in with an alternate guest.

Pick out a Theme - One way to simplify your planning is to pick a type of food for the night (i.e. French, Italian, etc). Don't be shy to choose an exotic cuisine, such as French or Thai.  After all, it doesn't mean you can't pre-buy dishes, ask guests to contribute, or make it yourself.

Food - Finding good recipes is a snap once you've decided on the type of food you'll serve.  Then, consider how many people you are having and decide if you are going to do the meal family-style (food on the table and passed around) or buffet-style (food set up at a separate table for guests to fill their own plates). Also decide what beverages you will serve: cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer, sparkling or flat water.  Make sure your beverages don't compete with your meal.

Decorations - Decide how you want to present your home:  as it is, by candlelight, filled with flowers -- whatever works for your schedule, budget, and food theme.  We'll also share ideas for creating simple but eye-catching table settings that might be all the decoration your Dinner Party needs.

Inviting friends and family into your home for dinner is a great way to spend an evening and doesn't have to be a lot of work. Even though this will be a Simple Feast, it will still impress your guests. By following our how-to guide, your guests will think you are the perfect host.