Joanna James
You are throwing a party, hosting a formal dinner and more, and are quite lost about the dining etiquette and rules that come along with being a host? Do not worry, this guide is here to take you down the right path.
Always make it a must to reserve a table before you go to the restaurant so you won't be uncomfortable at the table given to you. If you have reservations, you can get a table wherever you want. Call in a day or two to reconfirm your reservation and to let them know if there are any changes. Ask the restaurant about the dress code to avoid unpleasant scenarios. Get to know about the preferences of your guests and if it's a large group, it is always better to go to a restaurant with a lot of varieties of food. If most of your guests are Indian, then the Tandoor Tina or any other Indian restaurant in Dubai would do.
Always pick a restaurant you know and is pleased with the service. Thank the attendant when he/she takes the car and greet your host as you enter the restaurant. Check your coat and if you're a woman you can take your coat to the table if you want to or, just take your purse. When your host takes you to a table, it is a tradition for men to walk behind the ladies and if it's a couple the woman will follow the host and the man will come behind her. If you have a host for the group, it's his/her job to guide the guests to their seats. After you're done with the meal, you will be brought the check and subtly take a look at it. Don't forget to tip the waiter and let them know if they can keep the change.
First things first, you need to plan your entire dinner party from the number of guests to your menu. Iron your linen, polish the silver and clean glassware until sparkling. Now, focus on the food and serving. Make sure the food is cooked and tried out at least once before the party and always have a backup dish in case something unexpected happens. If it's an informal dinner it is less stressful but you still have some things to take care of. Serve a balanced diet and make sure all the dishes are equally spicy or sweet. Have a healthy balance between the rich dishes and the simple dishes.
It is important that you consider the season before you prepare your meals. If it is the hot season, spicy food is not the way to go. Serve mild dishes such as Italian and French with a light salad but if it's the cold season try Indian or Chinese cuisines along with meats and other heavy food.
Another important thing to remember is the capacity of your kitchen and the tools. Know how many people can be served if you cook with the pots and pans you have and the capacity of your oven. If you don't have much space cook one dish at a time so you can complete the entire meal before dinner starts. If you're offering a pre-dinner drink, make sure it is at least one hour before the meals begin. Serve a couple of light snacks with cocktails that match the flavour. Wait for some 10 -15 minutes for a late guest. Once you start the dinner, make sure candles are lit and the water glasses are served with the plates and utensils.
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