How to Host the Perfect Dinner Party in Newcastle
There is something special about hosting a dinner party and inviting all of your closest friends and family for a decadent feast. So that you can enjoy all of the planning, preparation and the night itself, we’ve compiled a map of places in Newcastle that can help make it a stress-free success!
Here are some tips to keep in mind along the way:
- Keep it small. Keeping it to a relatively small group means less stressful preparation for you, and often means that the people in the group get the chance to know each other better.
- Serve up a signature drink. Whether it be a scrumptious cocktail or non-alcoholic punch, a special drink to start the evening sets the mood. You can make up a large batch of the drink beforehand and have it set in lovely glassware for a make-shift self-serve bar.
- Consider lighting. Candles are a classic and timeless option for a dinner party, whether you go a small & simple tealight arrangement or larger candlebras & holders. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure that your guests have enough light to see what is on their plate! If candles aren’t an option, lamps can work too.
- Don’t forget music! Set the atmosphere early with some background music. You’ll need to pick this depending on the crowd, but an easy fall back is something instrumental or acoustic.
- Cook something that you’re familiar with. While an occasion is a great chance to serve up something extra special, it’s not the best time to get overly experimental. If you want to try something new, it could be worth doing a run through in the week or 2 prior to the party. The last thing you want is to have to start again or order out if something goes wrong - stress central!
- Guests are often keen to bring something along, so don’t be afraid to give them options. Maybe someone could provide the music playlist for the night, bring a bottle of wine or dessert. This is a great way to include everyone!
- Be organised with enough time beforehand to get ready yourself! You’ve gone to all the extra effort to put together the rest of the evening, you don’t want to miss out on dressing up yourself!
What makes your dinner parties special? Share your secrets with us by commenting below!
The Essential Ingredient
To kick off it’s time to source some inspiration. The Essential Ingredient has just opened at a new location on Darby Street and is sure to get your creative juices flowing. The Essential Ingredient specialises in providing quality foods such as Western Australian truffles, a range of olive oils and confectionary. Also on offer is cookware and culinary books from the best chefs in the industry. If you are still lacking the confidence to get into the kitchen and whip up a meal there are cooking classes that can inspire even the most novice of cooks!
-32.935007
151.768586
Eckersley's Arts & Crafts
Once you have gained some inspiration it’s time to start on the invites. Once you have jotted down your list of final guests there are many invitation options. Yes, you could send an email or text message but to make it extra special, get crafty and create your own physical invitations. A local art and craft store like Eckersley’s Arts and Crafts in Hamilton will have a variety of paper, embellishments and other titbits to make a beautiful invite. And if you check out their website they even have step by step instructions for a DIY invite.
-32.924518
151.748792
The Write Invite
If arts and crafts aren’t for you The Write Invite in Newcastle is an invitation specialty studio where you can have all of your invitations handmade! The write invite doesn’t only create wedding invitations but for any special event.
-32.926959
151.77045
Shindigs Party & Food Warehouse
Next on the list are decorations, I think it can be cute to have a quirky theme that ties in with the meal. There are two places that are great for gathering party supplies. First is Shindigs Party and Food Warehouse in Lambton. Here you can get all kinds of party supplies but
-32.914916
151.723694
Belflora
Placing some vases of fresh flowers on a table is a simple way to brighten up the dining room. Whether they are roses, lilies, gerberas or another flower is completely up to you! Belflora at Nine Ways Broadmeadow has a huge range of flowers that can be purchased online and delivered right to your door, or you can go in and watch the staff create a beautiful bunch!
-32.925209
151.737125
Dan Murphy's
I do love to support the local bottleshops but for one quick stop you can't go past Dan Murphy's that has just opened up in the new Market Town. Dan Murphy's will have all of your supplies whether you plan to serve beer, wine or even some cheeky cocktails. They also have the option to buy online & have your purchases delivered if you can't make it there yourself.
-32.929245
151.763791
Cupcake Espresso
Dessert! Dessert! Dessert! My favourite course, along with anyone else with a sweet tooth out there! It is crucial to finish with dessert, even if people claim they are full, they can usually find room for a something sweet. Dessert recipes can be tricky to master and time consuming so why not pop into Cupcake Espresso in Newcastle earlier in the day and take home an assortment of delicious cupcakes and macaroons to whip out and impress at the end of your meal.
-32.92839
151.782719
Coco Monde
Or if you are more of a chocoholic, a new chocolateria is just about to open on Darby St called Coco Monde. The new cafe offers handmade chocolates such as caramel & macadamia, mojito and African cinnamon star anise that all sound delicious.
-32.930226
151.772689
Spotlight
For reasonably priced tableware, check out Spotlight. Head in here if you need to stock up on cutlery, glasses, tablecloths, plates, bowls and other supplies.
-32.926198
151.761224
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