Whether you’re having a dinner party, a romantic meal for two, or a business brunch, you need to plan ahead to make sure the meal is perfect. The food needs to be delicious and catered to your guest’s preferences, the environment needs to be the right setting for the occasion, the drinks need to be varied and complimentary to the food, there is a lot to consider. To help you plan the perfect meal, we have put together a helpful guide with tips and ideas on ways you can make your dinner event one to remember.

Things to consider

When you’re planning a meal there are lots of things you need to take into consideration, these include:

The occasion:

The type of occasion will impact the kind of food you cook (or type of restaurant you choose to book) as well as the environment you create. For example, if your meal is to discuss business, you might make your guest feel uncomfortable if you plan a romantic candlelit meal for two, equally, if you’re planning a romantic date night and you cook burger and chips, your date may be underwhelmed. Plan your meal with the occasion in mind.

Your guests:

Think about what your guests are going to expect from the meal and any religious, cultural or ethical beliefs they have. Make sure you cater for their religious/cultural/ethical beliefs and to any expectations they may have, so they aren’t left disappointed. Considering your guests expectations is the best way to create a meal that is perfect for them.

Dietary requirements:

Before you decide what to cook (or what restaurant to book) you need to think about any special dietary requirements your guests have. This includes allergies, such as nut allergies, intolerances to ingredients like dairy or gluten, and preferences, for example, if your guests follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Your abilities and budget:

If you’re cooking a meal, you need to choose a recipe that is within your skillet, equally, if you’re booking a restaurant it needs to be one you feel comfortable ordering in and is within your budget. There is no point going to a fancy restaurant where you can’t understand the menu and don’t know what to order.

Time:

If you’re cooking you need time to cook the meal, while also entertaining (and not ignoring your guests). If you’re booking a restaurant, you and your guests need to have the time available to travel there and back, as well as the time it takes to place your order, wait for the food to be prepared, eat and pay the bill, all of which takes longer in a restaurant than it does at home.

Planning a meal at home

When you plan to cook a meal at home you need to think about all of the above points mentioned, as well as the following:

  • Meal: what will you cook? Unlike in a restaurant where your guests have the ability to choose from a range of options on the menu, in your home they will only be able to eat what you have prepared, so it is important you choose to cook a meal that is perfect for all your guests. We advise you to prepare a meal that you’ve already cooked before and therefore you’re familiar with, if you do want to cook something new it might be a good idea to have a practice run.
  • Environment: where will you eat? How will you dress the table? What lighting is suitable for the occasion? It is up to you to create the right ambience for the occasion.
  • Preparation: preparing any part of the meal you can in advance will make the evening less stressful for you, and give you more time with your guests.
  • Agenda: you need to plan your time so that you have the chance to cook, eat and entertain your guests. This will make sure you don’t ignore your guests, or keep them waiting for their meal for too long.
  • Entertainment: it’s up to you to entertain your guests, the easiest way to do this is to play music in the background. Choose the best music or alternative entertainment for you and your guests.

Planning a meal at a restaurant

If you’re planning to have a meal at a restaurant rather than at home, you need to make sure you pick the perfect restaurant for the occasion. Things you should think about are:

  • Location: choose a restaurant you and your guests can easily get to and one that is located close to any after-dinner events you have planned.
  • Cuisine options: most restaurants offer one cuisine type, for example a Chinese restaurant will make Chinese food, some restaurants provide multiple cuisine options. You need to decide what type of cuisine both you and your guests would like to eat to narrow down your restaurant search.
  • Ambience: you’ve already considered the occasion, now you need to choose a restaurant that has an ambience which is suitable for the occasion.
  • Price: choose a restaurant that is within your price range and offers quality food and good value for money.
  • Service: the service you receive from the staff at the restaurant can really impact how enjoyable the meal is, look at reviews from other diners to make sure the service is a good standard.
  • Privacy: if you’re having a romantic date night, or a business meal, and you don’t want to be interrupted, think about choosing a restaurant that offers some privacy to its diners.
  • Entertainment: some restaurants have live music or entertainment, or they’ll have music playing in the background. Think about which you would prefer and choose a restaurant that offers what you want.
  • Beverages: what do you and your guests like to drink? Would you like a restaurant that has a good wine selection? Or offers cocktails? This is something you need to take into consideration when booking a restaurant.

Now, you can plan the perfect meal for your occasion, for your guests, and for yourself.