Tips for Entertaining at Home | Stories

Expert Tips for Entertaining at Home

Feature: Long Read

Words by Grace Cain

Stricken with fear at the prospect of throwing a dinner party? Filled with regret because you agreed that everyone could come back to yours for a nightcap? If you’re breaking out in a cold sweat at the very thought of playing host, take a deep breath and listen to us: it’s going to be okay. We’ve asked four creatives with serious hosting credentials to give us their top tip for entertaining guests at home, and there’s a common theme – don’t stress (and maybe pour yourself a glass of wine).

Tom Aikens

Chef

Expert Tip

“Cook within your limits. Don’t exceed them, because you’re just setting yourself up to fall. Don’t think outside the box or try to impress, because the time will just race away from you, and you’ll give yourself a load of extra stress when you could have been sitting down and relaxing with a glass of wine.”

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Paolo Bestetti

CEO of Baxter

EXPERT TIP

"I live in the centre of the village, so when my friends pass by, I always invite them up for an apertivo. Sometimes my wife is not happy with me, but I tell her there is no need to worry – as long as our friends can take a glass of wine and some olives, they are happy. There’s no need to do anything big, because it’s more fun when everyone cooks together."

The Art of Aperitivo

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JJ Martin

Creative Director of La DoubleJ

Expert Tip

“My top tip for entertaining at home is just to relax and have fun, otherwise no-one else will. Don’t be a perfectionist. And always allow people to bring more friends – I learned that from the Italians.”