Hosting a dinner party requires a lot of planning and prep. Do you have everything you need to host a successful one? Whether the night is formal or casual, you’ll need to follow this guide.
Here is our kitchen supplies list that no host can without.
1. Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is the ultimate artisanal appetizer to serve your guests at a dinner party. It’s a board or tray full of savory and sweet finger foods that has something to satisfy everyone. Some common items you’ll see on charcuterie boards are:
- Cured meats (salami, mortadella, prosciutto, soppressata, pepperoni)
- Cheese (brie, Colby jack, sharp cheddar, gouda, Havarti)
- Nuts (pistachios, cashews, almonds, chocolate cover espresso beans)
- Fruit, dried and fresh (dried apricots, figs, dates, apples, grapes, pear, berries)
- Olives and pickles
- Crackers or bread
- Jam or jelly
If you’re hosting a plant-based dinner party, you can swap out the meats and cheeses with other options like dairy-free cheeze, hummus, olive, tapenade, vegetables, etc. The best part about charcuterie boards is their versatility.
2. A Well-Stocked Alcohol Cabinet
What’s a dinner party without a few drinks? As a host of a dinner party, it is perfectly acceptable to ask your guests to bring a bottle of wine or another spirit to your home, but you should still have a well-stocked alcohol cabinet with plenty of options for everyone.
If you’re buying alcohol, here are a few tips to know roughly how much to stock up on. Do the math for one drink per hour per guest and then multiply that number by 25%.
Know how to pair your foods. Wine goes well with meat and pasta dishes. Beer pairs well with smoked, strongly seasoned, or spicy dishes. Offer a few cocktails if you are confident in your mixology skills.
If you’re trying to keep your alcohol budget on the lower end, you can opt to serve a spiked punch. Vodka and gin mix well with fruit juices like cranberry and grape juice. Use an assortment of fruit juices, a few cans of a soft soda, and some liquor for a cost-effective and delightful drink option.
No matter what you are serving, you should have the right types of glasses. A set of four to six wine glasses is standard. Rocks glasses, beer steins, and other specialty barware pieces are optional but nice to have.
Have some non-alcoholic drink options for designated drivers or those choosing not to drink. Soda, seltzer water, coffee, and tea are some alternatives.
3. Assorted Dinnerware
The average dinnerware set will contain dinner plates, salad plates, and cups with saucers. This a fine option if you aren’t looking for anything fancy or if you are serving a simple one-course meal. If you are looking for something a little more upscale, check out this porcelain dinnerware and get matching bread & butter plates, serving trays, and more.
The benefit of having an assortment of plates, bowls, and cups is having enough dinnerware for your guests. And everything on your table will match.
4. Extra Storage Containers
If you are the type to store all your leftovers or insist your guests bring something home, you should have extra storage containers on hand at all times. Ensuring your guests don’t go home hungry or saving snacks for later is much easier when you have a variety of containers.
You don’t have to pay top dollar for containers either. Mason jars are a cute and inexpensive way to store things like veggies, pasta, or even dessert items. Reusable sealable bags are affordable, durable, and eco-friendly.
5. A Slow Cooker
Planning a dinner party is exhausting, and sometimes getting all your supplies and inviting all of your guests will zap all of the energy you needed for cooking. That’s why you should always have a good slow cooker in your kitchen.
A slow cooker is one of the most versatile appliances used for cooking. You can make everything from chilis and stews to baked potatoes and even cakes. You can do your prep work the night before, start it in the morning, and you’re good to go.
6. Prep Essentials
Prepping ahead of time is key for a successful dinner party. However, you need the right prep equipment. At the very least, you should have these supplies in your kitchen:
- A set of serving and cooking utensils (tongs, spatula, slotted and solid spoon, soup ladle, salad servers)
- Quality pots, pans, and bakeware
- A sharp set of knives
- Cutting boards
- Measuring cups and a food scale
If you don’t have all of these, you can, of course, make some substitutions. However, you should slowly incorporate more of these essential items if you plan on being a regular host.
7. Specialty Appliances And Tools
The types of appliances and tools in your kitchen will largely depend on the types of parties you are hosting and what you plan to make. If your forte is cooking main course dishes, you’ll want some appliance that will make your life easier, like a digital meat thermometer, a toaster oven, an air fryer, a roasting rack, and a food processor.
As for the bakers, consider gadgets like digital food scales, stand mixers, silicone baking mat, springform pans, And cooling racks.
Kitchen Supplies List: Equipment You Can’t Go Without
Hosting a dinner party is no easy feat; luckily, the equipment on our kitchen supplies list will help you pull it off—things about everyday items like pots, pans, dinnerware, storage containers, and prep essentials. For the dedicated hosts out there, consider investing in special tools to really step it up.
If you enjoyed this article on finding the right kitchen supplies for your dinner party, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more home ideas!
