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Entertaining tips

Dinner parties never looked so effortless! Read these handy hints and tips for ways to seriously impress your guests this summer.

We all love to gather with friends and family, whether it's a casual catch-up, festive celebration, or a fancy foodie feast. Here we share our helpful entertaining tips and recipe inspiration to help your dinner party, BBQ or 'drinks and nibbles' go smoothly. 

Planning tips


  • Things always take longer than you think, so allow a little extra time for preparation and planning.
  • Adopt the ‘buy some, make some’ mantra. There’s no need to cook a menu entirely from scratch.
  • If you’re serving canapés, allow five per guest for a one hour function, or eight for two hours. 
  • Stock up on non-perishables. Christmas cake, crackers or biscuits are good to have in the pantry in case of unexpected guests.
  • Ease your workload by including a couple of items that can be made up to a day ahead, or have ‘do-ahead’ elements that can be put together just before they go to the table.

    • Platter ideas for every occasion

    55 mins
    Serves  6 - 8

    The perfect platter
    25 mins
    Serves 4-6

    Bean supreme DIY taco platter
    15 mins
    Serves 4

    DIY charcuterie platter
    55 mins
    Serves 6-10

    Sweet and savoury fondue

    On the day


  • If you're serving a main meal, allow around 45 minutes between guests arriving and sitting down to eat. This gives everyone time to mingle and settle in.
  • Cheese is best served at room temperature, so remove it from the fridge at least two hours before serving.
  • If you are having a BBQ or serving food outdoors, make sure you check the weather forecast and allow for a plan B. Have sunblock, rugs and insect repellent available if needed.

    • Snacks and dips to share

    10 mins
    Serves 6-8

    Green goddess dip
    20 mins
    Serves 6-8

    Mediterranean hummus sharing board
    40 mins
    Serves 2

    Spiced carrot hummus
    1 hour
    Serves 4

    Capsicum and eggplant dip with yoghurt flatbread
    1 hour 30 mins
    Serves 4

    Homemade caramelised onion dip and Proper Crisps
    6 hours 30 mins
    Serves 6

    Beetroot dip with pita chips
    15 mins
    Serves

    Smoked kahawai dip

    Easy to sharing plates and appetisers

    25 mins
    Serves 6-8

    Pea pesto and watercress crostini
    45 mins
    Serves 12

    Mini bacon and asparagus quiches
    1 hour
    Serves 6-8

    Smoked salmon sharing rosti
    20 minutes
    Serves 4

    Go-to orange chicken rice paper rolls
    40 mins
    Serves 1 batch

    Rough puff pastry
    45 mins
    Serves 4, makes 12

    Crispy fish tacos

    Thirsty? Tips  for serving beverages


  • Serve your guests a welcome cocktail or mocktail as they arrive. It adds to the festive vibe and will make feel special.
  • Let guests make their own cocktails. Have a few favourite recipes on cards, and all the ingredients on hand.
  • Make sure you have some soft drinks or juice available for a non-alcohol option.
  • Ensure that you have plenty of ice. You don’t want to run out in those hotter months.
  • Place fruit, herbs and flowers in an ice tray, then fill it with boiling water and keep it in your freezer for a night. Out will come beautiful, clear ice cubes with surprises frozen in the middle!

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