How to Host a Memorable Dinner Party

As temperatures continue to be gorgeous, it is a good time to think about entertaining outside or al fresco. The pandemic is behind us and we are all longing to socialize again. Though we hosted this dinner party for 50 people a few years ago, it is an event that people keep talking about so I consider that a success.

We certainly don’t have room inside for a crowd that large, but the orchard provides the perfect space for dining al fresco.

Why Entertain?

There are several reasons why we love to entertain.

• It forces us to get things done around here.  Naturally we want our home and property to look its best and I can honestly say, it doesn’t look great all the time~~we are human and sometimes lazy.
• We believe it’s important to share our property and its history.  There are so few of the original estate properties left in Phoenix and our house represents a slice of life over 100 years ago.
• It does take some work but we really enjoy it!

To Cater or Not?

With smaller groups of guests, I will attempt to cook. But if the gathering is larger, I call in my catering expert, Julie Greder.  Julie does not disappoint.  Her food is delicious; her staff is warm and friendly; and her calm demeanor is just what I need as I am frantically rushing around before an event.

Using a Rental Company

Again, if the group is small, we can easily host 10-12 people without a need to acquire more tables or chairs.

Naturally, I don’t have tables, chairs and service for 50 so I count on Party People to provide the rental items I need.  They, too, have a great selection and always deliver and pick up on time. With a wonderful selection of different chair and table styles, table linens and dishes and glasses you can create the look that you want.

I envision the table to be “spring elegant” and try a different color for the tablecloths and napkins….a sea foam blue.  Since the orchard is narrow, one “long” table works best in the space (which was really 6 8′ tables lined up allowing for 24 chairs on each side and two at the ends).

A Few things to remember

If you are dining outside, please remember the following:

• The weather. Since our weather is moderate (except summer) most of the year, you can rely on it being great for outdoor dining. But take into account the weather forecast so you are not surprised by rain or wind.
• Bugs. No one wants numerous bug bites during dinner. If mosquitoes or other nuisance insects are a problem, provide your guests with repellent or place citronella candles around the dining perimeter.
• Turn off the water sprinklers or flood irrigation. No one wants to water the guests.
• Check to see if any guest has a particular food allergy or dislike. Often a caterer will make a special meal if someone is vegetarian or gluten-free.

Since there are high winds predicted for the night of the event, I want to make sure both the flower arrangements and candles are weighted and secure and will not blow over. Mason jars aren’t the most elegant of vessels, but they are sturdy.  I put the votives in a taller Mason jar so the wind wouldn’t extinguish the flame.  

Helping Hands are vital

Having some extra hands to help is important to getting all the tasks accomplished. For some reason our dogs love to run under the tables once the tablecloth is on…fun for them but not so much so for us. Also, if you have dogs, make sure they don’t leave any of their poops near the dining area for obvious reasons!

It’s all about precision

Getting the tables, chairs and place settings aligned is important to the overall symmetry. Though we didn’t do a Downton Abbey and use a ruler, we take the time and extra effort to make sure everything is straight. I always like to set my own table and create my own centerpieces. Hearing all the oohs and ahhh while people are sitting down is worth all the effort.

Setting a rather narrow table with 50 places, alignment and precision are important.

Ambiance

Lighting is very important to create a certain dining mood. Not enough light and no one can see what they are eating. Too much light and it doesn’t feel intimate or cozy. The strings of lights overhead create a magical experience outside. Coupled with the multiple candles on the table, there is enough light for all.

My daughters are nimble with technology and are great at creating playlists. With outdoor speakers, the pleasant background music adds to energy and rhythm of the evening.

Flowers

Fresh cut flowers are a must for a dinner party. They add color and definition to the table. Extra bouquets are made for the bar/appetizer table, the bathrooms and any where else that needs a shot of color.

Local grocery stores or Costco will order flowers ahead of time so you aren’t searching for good quality buds the day of the event.

The Menu

For a gathering of this size, we do print menus. It allows the guests to anticipate the next course, or discover the name of the wine pairing. To secure the napkins we used a simple ribbon and a sprig of fresh rosemary.  The menu with the evening’s fare is tucked underneath.

Flow and timing

When managing 50 guests and a catering staff, walk the area and know who will be where and when. Having a time line for the caterer is critical to a stress-less event.

With a group this large, we start on the front terrace for a glass of champagne or Prosecco and a few hors d’oeuvres.

After all guests have a chance to mingle and nibble, we then proceed to the orchard for dinner.

As the sun sets, the lights and candles become more vibrant.

Our Guests

Our guests are from The Peregrine Fund, a non-profit organization that my husband has been involved in over 20 years.  After their strategic planning meeting here in Phoenix and we have the opportunity to host everyone for dinner.

The Peregrine Fund has been researching, conserving habitat and restoring species of birds of prey since 1970.  We need birds of prey in order to ensure the health of the world’s ecosystem. The Peregrine Fund educates students, the public and communities around the world about conservation.  They have an earned reputation of saving all kinds of raptors. Here is a peregrine falcon who is an educational bird of prey from The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. Isn’t he a beauty?

So you can imagine, much to my surprise, when we have an unexpected dinner visitor who happen to land on a branch very close to the table~~our very own bird of prey!

This is a Western screech owl with a Sphinx moth in its mouth! The little guy sits on that branch and poses for such a long time for our guests.  Pretty amazing..

The dinner is a great success and we always feel so honored to have those who have traveled far and wide,  experience an evening at Bella Terra. It is a winning combination: great weather, fabulous food, interesting and engaging participants, a good cause and one screech owl who, if you look closely, brought his own dinner!

Here is the menu Julie and her fabulous team prepared:

The Peregrine Fund Dinner

Salad

Fresh arugula, tomatoes, pine nuts, shaves of Parmesan with shallot vinaigrette

Entree

Salmon with lemon butter caper sauce and asparagus

Filet Mignon with red wine reduction and garlic mash

Dessert

Key Lime Tart with graham cracker coconut crust and fresh cream

Thanks for joining me and I hope this inspires you to entertain. Whether you have a small group or a larger one, we all need to be around people and start living again, don’t you agree?