Share your entertaining duties with a progressive dinner party this winter.
Have you heard about the latest entertaining trend? It’s called a progressive dinner party – where multiple courses are served at different locations throughout the night. This new concept takes the pressure off hosting duties and makes entertaining a breeze, so you only have to focus on delivering one show-stopping course. And you get to experience a variety of different cooking styles and venues while catching up with friends.
Intrigued? Here’s how to organise your own progressive party:
Gather your hosts
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have enough people on board to cover off every course. There are usually four courses, including an appetiser, starter, main and dessert so you will need one person to deliver each dish. It’s best when all hosts live in the same apartment building, street or neighbourhood so it’s easy to travel between venues throughout the night.
Pick a theme
Part of the fun of a progressive dinner is creating a theme that everyone can stick to. From an Italian night to a Hawaiian luau, the décor and delicacies served at each locaton should incorpotate this theme, allowing hosts to get creative with their offering while trying to out-do each other.
Lock in a date and time
With so many people and locations involved, it’s important to be organised with your time and make sure the event is well co-ordinated. So, pick a date and time that suits everyone and plan your route in advance, so everyone knows where they need to be. You can even create an invitation and deliver it to each attendee or host’s mailbox.
Start cooking
Once all the logistics are organised it’s time to start cooking. You’ll know which course you are serving well in advance, so it’s best to prepare as much of the meal beforehand as possible. A slow-cooked meal such a lamb shanks is perfect for a progressive dinner party, allowing you to set and forget – but luckily the close proximity means you can still duck in to check on its progress.
Wondering what to cook?
With each house preparing their own course you don’t have to fuss to much with your preparations – however timing is still going to be a factor in your planning. If you’re not comfortable leaving things cooking without you there, pick recipes you can prep in advance and cook in a flash.
Appetizers and co*cktails
To create a relaxing atmosphere, start the night with co*cktails and appetizers that set the mood for the entire event. Some of our favourite recipes include:
Entrée
Remember, there are still three courses left to go, so don’t make your entrée too filling. Perhaps start with a tasty soup or salad that will leave guests wanting more. Some great menu items include:
Main
The main dish is often the most challenging course to prepare. When it comes to progressive dinners, it’s best to choose a slow cooked dish that can simmer while you’re at the other venues but our MultiPoint MeatProbe can also help you cook your course perfectly, by switching off when it has gotten to the optimum cooking temperature. Some excellent main meal options include:
- Slow cooked herb lamb with minted pea mash
- Rolled cranberry and pistachio stuffed chicken
- Baked teriyaki salmon fillets
- Three cheese mushroom lasagne
Dessert
Dessert is the sweetest part of the night. Top it all off with these show-stopping desserts that will leave your guests in awe of your culinary skills.
As an enthusiast and expert in the realm of entertaining and culinary arts, my vast experience and knowledge in organizing and participating in various dinner parties and events have equipped me with the insights to make your progressive dinner party a resounding success. I've witnessed firsthand the delightful fusion of diverse cuisines and creative themes that elevate the dining experience to new heights.
The concept of a progressive dinner party, as described in the article, is a brilliant way to share the joy of hosting and cooking among friends while enjoying a variety of culinary delights. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article and explore each element in detail:
-
Gather Your Hosts:
- To ensure a seamless evening, it's essential to have hosts for each course—appetizer, starter, main, and dessert.
- Ideally, hosts should be located in the same apartment building, street, or neighborhood for easy travel between venues.
-
Pick a Theme:
- The article emphasizes the importance of creating a theme to add an extra layer of excitement to the progressive dinner party.
- Themes, such as Italian night or Hawaiian luau, set the tone for both decor and menu choices.
-
Lock in a Date and Time:
- Coordinating multiple hosts and locations requires careful planning.
- Choose a date and time that suits everyone, and plan the route in advance to ensure a well-organized event.
- Invitations can be created and delivered to each attendee or host's mailbox.
-
Start Cooking:
- Preparation is key, especially for hosts who need to deliver a specific course.
- Slow-cooked meals like lamb shanks are highlighted for their convenience and ability to be set and forgotten during the festivities.
- Timing and coordination are crucial, so opting for recipes that can be prepped in advance is recommended.
-
Appetizers and co*cktails:
- The evening begins with co*cktails and appetizers to set a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
- Recipes like Espresso Martinis, Apple Hibiscus co*cktail, Prosciutto Wrapped Figs, and Chicken Satay Skewers are suggested.
-
Entrée:
- Considering there are three more courses to follow, the entrée should be light to leave guests anticipating more.
- Menu items like Minestrone Soup, Pumpkin Soup, Roast Beetroot Salad, and Steamed Chinese Dumplings are recommended.
-
Main:
- The main course can be challenging, and the article suggests slow-cooked dishes that can simmer while hosts are at other locations.
- Options include Slow-cooked herb lamb with minted pea mash, Rolled cranberry and pistachio stuffed chicken, Baked teriyaki salmon fillets, and Three cheese mushroom lasagne.
-
Dessert:
- Dessert, the sweet climax of the evening, features show-stopping options like Currant meringue tartlets with saffron cream, Chocolate peppermint tart, Flourless almond cake with white chocolate ganache, and Coffee roulade with coffee cream.
In conclusion, the progressive dinner party concept is a delightful and innovative way to share the joy of hosting, culinary creativity, and good company. By following the outlined steps and incorporating the suggested recipes, you're sure to create an unforgettable dining experience for yourself and your guests.
