Chef Kate's Tips for a Fabulous Dinner Party
Chef Kate’s job is no small feat. She cooks and oversees the entire kitchen team all day long. Together, she and her team serve thousands of people each week. She then goes home and often throws dinner parties, which, frankly, boggles my mind.
She and her chef husband, Vittorio, who also works in our kitchen, love hosting. Kate adds that it’s second nature. I wouldn’t mind stepping up my own entertaining, and I’m naturally curious. So I had to find out: how does she manage it?
It starts with prep
I asked what makes the difference between a stressful dinner party and an easy one.
“It’s all in the prep.”
Kate draws up a menu and makes a list. Then she checks things off as she goes, so nothing gets forgotten in the heat of the moment. She does as much as she can ahead of time, though some things, like searing tenderloin tips or grilling, are saved for last. Here’s how her timeline works:
-
The day before: She makes the sauces, the dessert, and everything else that takes a lot of work. She also sets the table, putting out the flowers, water glasses, and serving platters.
-
The morning of: Cleaning and vacuuming.
- Right before guests arrive: The appetizers are ready, the table is set, the lights are dimmed, and the candles are lit. She takes one last look around and pours herself a glass of bubbly (her go-tos are Pol Roger Champagne and Markus Molitor Brut Sekt, a German sparkling wine).
It sounds simple, but think about how often the little things get left until the last minute. You’re still setting the table or putting appetizers together when the doorbell rings. Kate says guests can tell when you’re rushing around and stressed. By taking care of the details ahead of time, she and Vittorio can focus on any cooking that needs to be done right before guests arrive.
The menu matters, too. Choosing dishes you can prepare ahead and recipes you know well means less time in the kitchen while everyone else is at the table. Another common mistake is being overly ambitious on the day of the gathering, trying a new recipe or something particularly time-consuming.
“Do what you know you can do.”
That’s the part I’m taking home with me. I’m going to make a list, check things off as I go, and do more the day before.
Even with all that planning, things can still go wrong. One Thanksgiving, Kate’s brother rented a house on Nantucket and invited everyone. When he went to cook the turkey, the oven didn’t work right. Her advice: always be ready to pivot.
Keep it simple
A nice bottle of wine and a takeout pizza can make for a fun evening. Most people are just happy to be invited.
You shouldn’t feel afraid to buy something, and you don’t have to do everything yourself. Kate preps a fantastic meal, and she often makes her own dessert. Other times, she’s picked up a cake without the slightest bit of guilt. If you’d rather not bake, our Shubie’s Celebration Cake or tiramisu are easy options.
Put your effort into the details that matter most to you, like a great bottle of wine, a few high-quality ingredients, or a pretty table. You don’t need much to make a table feel special. Keep flowers low so everyone can see each other, then add a few candles and cocktail napkins. Kate often picks those up from our gift department. She’s especially fond of Farm & Sea candles, and they double as her go-to hostess gift when she’s invited somewhere.
I’ve also learned to take people up on their offers to help. Most are eager to contribute and will often ask what they can bring. I have a friend who’s a baker extraordinaire, so I always let her bring dessert.
It doesn’t have to happen on your day off, either. You don’t need to spend the whole day cooking and cleaning. Having a few friends over to watch a game on a weeknight works fine. So does a casual Sunday supper, or friends and neighbors stopping by after work for some appetizers and a glass of wine.
What would Kate say to anyone apprehensive or anxious about entertaining? “Just give it a shot. You might find it’s more fun than you expected.”
Who’s coming
Kate typically hosts six or eight people, but she prefers six: four guests, plus her and Vittorio. It’s more intimate than a large gathering, and you can get four glasses of wine out of one bottle. Her go-to is the J&P Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner in the 1L bottle, a great size for entertaining. For reds, she usually pours a Donatella Cinelli Colombini Rosso di Montalcino or a Lavignone Barbera d’Asti.
Start with the apps
Kate always has a few things on hand that can quickly become a spread: bread, Partanna olive oil, cheeses, salami, olives, and anchovies. Her cheese board usually includes Taleggio, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gorgonzola Dolce, and Prairie Breeze.
For appetizers, she rotates between potato croquettes, empanadas, and spring rolls (all three available to preorder from our catering menu). She’ll also put out cold cuts, focaccia, or crostini topped with roasted tomatoes, olives, and almonds.
What’s for dinner
For a smaller party, the meal is more curated: appetizers, a main (often a protein), and dessert. Bigger parties are fine, too, but have a different vibe, so she goes buffet-style with more options, like pasta, a salmon dish, and grilled flank steak.
At her last dinner party, she served apps first, then seared beef tenderloin with roast potatoes and cranberry beans. Dessert was tiramisu. There was an arugula salad, too, though Kate usually skips the salad course, since apps are often a leisurely event at her house.
What makes it fabulous
I saved this question until now because it’s the one I most wanted to hear her answer to. What’s the difference between a dinner party that’s just fine and one that’s fabulous?
“The people and the atmosphere.”
Think soft music in the background, dim lighting, candles on the table, and a host who isn’t rushing around. Then there’s good company, which matters just as much. At Kate’s most recent gathering, the hours slipped by while everyone sat around the table, laughing and talking. Nobody even noticed it was well after midnight.
Even though Kate and Vittorio spend their days cooking, they still love inviting people into their home. What makes that possible isn’t an elaborate menu. It’s playing to your strengths and doing what you know you can do.
Shop Chef Kate’s Dinner Party Favorites
Planning your own gathering? Explore some of the delicious picks mentioned in Chef Kate’s tips.