Hosting a fall dinner for family and friends is an adventure that combines the high stakes of a reality TV cooking show with the creative flair of an avant-garde art exhibit. We have you covered though...

Ingredients

• Fully stocked lineup of Barbet with optional spirited companions available

• Fresh, eye-friendly, tasty garnishes

• 1 Large gathering space, preferably cozy and accommodating

• A generous helping of friends or family members (keep reading for more on that)

• An assortment of dishes, each with a story or a joke attached

• Ice, Ice, Baby. 

• A playlist of background music, ranging from classic hits to conversation starters

• Multiple dollops of patience

• 3 cans SpaghettiOs (just in case)

• Candles: not just your go-to during power outages anymore. Whip them out for dinner parties, and watch as everyone over 30 marvels at the instant, real-life beauty filter. We love MMANN's stunning creations. 

• A pinch of planning mishaps (for flavour) and flexibility, as needed

• Board games or activities, for garnishing

The Guest List

Creating the ideal guest list for a dinner event can be challenging, but it's incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of it. As you browse through your contacts to assemble the perfect guest list, here are some recommendations to consider.

Yu & Mei | November 2023 | 📸: Rawkavai. 

  1. Assess Your Space: Determine how many guests your venue can comfortably accommodate to set an upper limit. 2. Define the Party Type: Understanding whether it's a casual gathering or a formal dinner can guide your invitation choices. 3. Identify Your Goals: Know what you want to achieve with your party—networking, celebrating, or simply mingling.

Barbet Hidden Taste 004 | 📸: Bianka Gill.

4. Prioritize Guests: Create an A-list of must-invites and a B-list for if more space becomes available.

5. Consider Dynamics: Aim for a mix of guests who will likely enjoy each other's company.

6. Mix Familiar and New Faces: Ensure there's a balance to keep conversations lively without awkwardness.

Barbet Hidden Taste 001.

Prepare the Dishes

Barbet Hidden Taste 001.

Crafting a menu that won't have you chained to the stove all evening and seriously considering drinking the cooking wine — while ensuring your guests aren't secretly ordering pizza under the table — is entirely possible.

Barbet Hidden Taste 004 | 📸: Bianka Gill.

Kick things off with a charcuterie board. It's like assembling an adult version of lunchables - no cooking required, just strategic placement. Mix in some cheeses that you can't pronounce, alongside meats that look fancy, and voila!

Yu & Mei | November 2023. 

For the main course, think one-pot wonders or slow-cooker successes. A savory beef stew, a creamy butternut squash soup, or a vegetarian chili are all perfect for the season and can be made in advance. Plus, if you slightly burn it, just call it "smoked" - it's fall, after all, smoky is in.

Roasting vegetables is like playing roulette—sometimes you win, sometimes you get something a tad too...crispy. Toss those veggies in the oven with some oil and seasonings, and take bets on which one comes out as the unexpected star of the show. Is it the underestimated Brussels sprout or the dark horse, parsnips? Only the oven knows. 

Yu & Mei | November 2023. 

Whip up a salad because, apparently, "you can't just serve carbs and cheese." Throw in whatever's in season—apples, pears, those fancy nuts you bought on a whim. Dress it right before serving to avoid the dreaded soggy salad syndrome.

Barbet Hidden Taste 004 | 📸: Bianka Gill.

Sides are the unsung heroes of a dinner party. Lots of sides means lots of options so no one goes home hungry. They also can usually be made ahead of time and make for great leftovers. 

Yu & Mei | November 2023 | 📸: Rawkavai.  

Choose a forgiving dessert that even if it looks like a Pinterest fail, you can confidently say, "It's supposed to look like that." Anything goes here. 

Barbet Hidden Taste 003 | 📸: Vanessa Cassar.

Set Up The Bar

Set up a DIY drink station. It's interactive, it's fun, and it keeps everyone occupied while you're trying to salvage the main dish. Barbet, fresh garnishes, cider, or a "create-your-own" cocktail/mocktail bar can turn even the most discerning guest into a merry mixologist.

Barbet Hidden Taste 003 | 📸: Vanessa Cassar.

Suggestions to include:

Alcoholic:

• Spirits: A basic selection of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey covers most cocktail bases.
• Wine: Offer a few varieties of red, white, and perhaps a rosé or sparkling option.
• Beer: Include a mix of craft, domestic, and imported options.

Non-Alcoholic Staples:

• Barbet: The MVP of any gathering, perfect on its own or as a mixer.

• Juices: Orange, cranberry, and pineapple juice are versatile for both cocktails and non alcoholic libations.

Barbet Hidden Taste 003 | 📸: Vanessa Cassar.

Creating a dedicated space for Barbet turns it into a focal point and encourages creativity among your guests. Stock it with:

• Barbet Love Bite, Wild Card, Light Wave

• Fresh Fruits and Herbs: Lemons, limes, berries, mint, and basil for garnishing

• A selection of syrups like grenadine or simple syrup to spice up the options.

• Glassware: The world is your oyster here so get creative with different options

• Accessories: Straws, stirrers, muddlers, and cocktail spoons for guests to craft their drinks

• A selection of recipe cards for guests to find inspiration

Options at the bar become more than just drinks; they're conversation starters, bonding agents, and, sometimes, the night's most memorable highlights. 

Barbet Hidden Taste 001 | 📸: Bianka Gill. 

The Table

This phase usually begins with a vision to create a fall wonderland, featuring elegant centrepieces, scattered leaves, and cozy candles. However, when the reality includes slip hazards, burned name tags, and a centrepiece that definitely looked larger online, don't fret, a few thoughtful touches can make a big difference. 

See how 11 people with good taste decorate their tables.

Barbet Hidden Taste 003 | 📸: Vanessa Cassar | Dinnerware: Xenia Taler | Candles: MMANN.

Lay the Foundation with Linens

Yu & Mei | Jan. 2024 | 📸: Rawkavai | Linens and Dinnerware: Misette. 

It's time to play a thrilling round of "How Many Plates Can One Person Actually Need?" Start with a tablecloth or runner and layer in a placemat (we love these ones from Misette). Layer a charger, add a dinner plate (we love these by Xenia Taler), a salad plate, and, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, a mysterious third plate. Top it off with a napkin (we love these from Misette) artfully folded or casually placed. 

Yu & Mei | January 2024 | 📸: Rawkavai. 

Set the Stage with Place Settings

Lay out the silverware in the order you think it's supposed to go. Forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right, and that one weirdly shaped fork that might be for seafood—or possibly an elaborate toothpick—somewhere in the mix.

Here is our guide on how to set the table.

Barbet Hidden Taste 003 | 📸: Vanessa Cassar | Dinnerware: Xenia Taler | Candles: MMANN. 

When it comes to glasses, you're not just setting the stage for hydration and libation; you're adding sparkle and a dash of fun to your table!

First up, we have the water glass. This is your table's staple, the reliable friend that keeps everyone refreshed. It's like the bassist in a band – often overlooked but utterly essential.

Next in the lineup, the wine glass. Whatever you're swirling, the wine glass brings a touch of elegance and an invitation to unwind.  

Lastly, the "just for fun" glass. This is where you can let your creativity shine. Maybe it's a sleek champagne flute for a bubbly surprise, a quirky cocktail glass for a signature drink, or even a mason jar for a rustic twist. 

Browse these guides for ideas:

Essential Glassware Guide: Part 1

Essential Glassware Guide: Part 2

Table Etiquette: The Place Setting 

Create a Captivating Centrepiece

Depending on your level of creative aptitude, you can go a little wild or you can also keep it simple with a floral arrangement, a collection of candles, or a more thematic display featuring tomato can and asparagus candles as MMANN candles did for Hidden Taste 003.

Barbet Hidden Taste 003 | 📸: Vanessa Cassar.

By following these steps, you'll create a table setting that's not just a feast for the eyes but a banquet of laughter and good times. Remember, the best tables are the ones that bring us together, even if it's just to debate the proper use of the three different forks.

Embrace Mishaps and Patience

Whether it's a last-minute cancellation or a dish gone awry, remember to stir in patience and keep the mood light.

Set the mood with some cozy fall decor and a playlist that’s a mix of autumn classics and whatever else Spotify suggests. It doesn't have to be perfect. After all, if the candles are dim enough, no one can see the chaos.

Barbet Hidden Taste 003 | 📸: Vanessa Cassar.

📸: Sasha Mei.

The Aftermath

Barbet Hidden Taste 004 | 📸: Bianka Gill.

The evening winds down with everyone gathered around, sharing stories and reviling in the joyous mess that embodies the true spirit of a good time. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best memories are made not from a perfect dinner, but from the perfectly imperfect moments of laughter, music, and love shared with friends and family.

Barbet Hidden Taste 001 | 📸: Bianka Gill. 

As you end the night with a kitchen that looks like a culinary battleground and a heart full of gratitude, you will realize that you wouldn't have it any other way. After all, it's these beautifully chaotic celebrations that carve the deepest memories.