How to host a dinner party

Your turn to host? Read our ultimate dinner party guide, from how to prep to what to cook, what to drink and how to entertain without the stress. Whether you’re pulling out all the stops with a made-from-scratch feast or want some easy shortcuts from the Foodhall, make staying in the new going out with our expert tips.

Senior Food Editor

Heather Taylor

Pulled pork, mac and cheese, bowl of pickles

So you’ve set a date, got your guest list sorted and you’re in the mood to get planning your dream dinner party? We’ve got you. Read our top tips for how to host a dinner party, from recipe ideas to go-to product recommendations from our Foodhall.

Canapes with tempura prawns and crackers

What you need for a dinner party

Plan your menu based on the flavours you love (Mexican taco night! A Chinese-inspired feast!), seasonal ingredients or even the weather.
Decide on your guest list. If you’ve got a massive crowd coming, opt for prebbable sharing platters. Intimate dinner for four? Push the boat out with fancy canapés or desserts. Ask guests for their dietary preferences in advance.
Plan your drinks. Choose wines to match the food, a welcome cocktail and some non-alcoholic options.
Set your table. Your table is a chance to bring everything together. Simple additions, like handwritten menus, candles, fresh flowers or even a bowl of seasonal fruit, will make it special.
Make a playlist that's related to your theme or just your favourite tunes to ensure it's good vibes only at your table.

Recipe ideas, here

Shredded meat, mac and cheese, bowl of jalapenos

Delicious dinner party recipe ideas

Start by browsing our home of recipes online and make a list of what you fancy cooking. Try these three ideas to get you started.

1. All-American comfort food

Serve this barbecue pork platter, made with our shortcut Slow Cooked Carolina Pork Shoulder, alongside oozy mac and cheese and a crunchy slaw.

2. Middle Eastern-inspired mezze

Serve a spread of loaded houmous, sprouts with labneh, and honey-baked feta with fluffy flatbreads.

3. Mexican taco night

Welcome guests with a hot honey margarita, then load tacos with crispy cod, orange salsa and chipotle mayo.

More hands-off recipe ideas

Laid-back party food ideas

Welcome your guests with a spread of picky bits and antipasti to keep everyone occupied while you finish off the mains.

Try toasting our Collection Crafted Sourdough Baguette then loading up with antipasti, olives and charcuterie. Or make some quick marinated feta by tossing feta with olive oil, lemon zest and chilli flakes, ready to be loaded onto crusty bread.
You can’t go wrong with chips and dips – add a drizzle of Calabrian Chilli Paste to our Extra Smooth Houmous to take it to the next level, or create an epic grazing board with these ideas.
Serve up an easy, moreish bitesize savoury canapé, like these irresistible prosciutto-wrapped garlic doughballs, with drinks.

Party food recipes

Bowls of curry, naan bread, ad green beans

Dinner party theme ideas

Theme your dinner party around a cuisine, an event or even your favourite ingredient. Try these playful ideas.

1. Italian feast

Start with a spritz and antipasti and prosciutto, your favourite pasta recipe and a tiramisu washed down with Italian wines.

2. Pizza party

Pick up some woodfired pizza bases and Classic Tomato Everything sauce, then let everyone get creative with their choice of toppings.

3. Galentine’s

Get the girls round and serve up pink cocktails, chocolate-dipped strawberries and grazing boards loaded with treats.

4. Bao bun bonanza

Load fluffy bao buns with slow-cooked pork belly and a zingy slaw.

5. British seasonal feast

Read our guide to what’s in season, and frame all your dishes around this.

More recipe inspiration

Cocktail in coupe glass with slice of grapefruit

Welcome drinks to set the mood

Greeting everyone with a cocktail is an easy way to put guests at ease. It doesn’t have to be complicated – try a splash of crème de cassis topped up with cava or Prosecco. Or choose cocktails based on your theme, whether that’s a tropical take on a Margarita, a zingy grapefruit and blood orange gin spritz, a jug of summery sangria or a low-alcohol grapefruit Collins.

Cocktail recipes

Pulled pork, mac and cheese, and bowl of pickes

How to host a hassle-free dinner party

Make ahead. Choose dishes you can prep in advance, then finish with fresh herbs and a spritz of lemon before serving.
Mix ready-made and homemade. Opt for some speedy shortcuts, like our fuss-free Slow Cooked range or easy party bites – to cut down on fuss.
Keep it simple. Your guests won’t thank you for being stuck in the kitchen, so choose recipes you're confident in, made with good quality ingredients – think oozy burrata with clementines, a simple bowl of truffle pasta, or sizzling chicken tacos.
Serve some food at room temperature. Things like salads, cooked grains or roasted veg can be made ahead and served at room temperature – it will bring out the flavour and save you trouble.

Quick and easy recipes

Selection of glasses of wine and bottles

How to choose wines for a dinner party

M&S head of beers, wines and spirits Caroline Thompson-hill chooses her go-to party-starting picks.

“I always have a bottle of our Collection Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG in the fridge at parties,” says Caroline. “It’s a real crowd-pleaser.”
To serve with party food and picky teas, “Our Classics No.20 Côtes du Rhône Villages is packed with juicy flavours – it’s an excellent and versatile choice.”
Serving seafood? “Try our Collection Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Organic. Its clean, fruity notes of melon and apple are a match made in heaven with fresh shellfish.”
Want a match for red meat? “An elegant red, such as our Collection Moueix Saint Emilion, has plump plums and spiced red fruit flavours that come to life when served with beef, lamb or strong cheeses.”

Browse wine in store

Published 2.14.2025