Hosting a dinner party is a fun way to spend time catching up with friends, all while enjoying delicious food and drinks. Why not add an international element to your next evening? Planning an international dinner party will take your guests on a culinary adventure and is a special twist to your typical gathering. Build a menu around classic flavours and impress your friends with your worldly knowledge. Let the gastronomic journey begin!
Beverages
Whether your guests enjoy alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, choosing a selection of international drinks will be a crowd-pleaser. If you enjoy a nice bottle of wine, try buying a few from different regions around the world and do a taste test for everyone to discover their flavour preferences. For your friends who prefer non-alcoholic, flavoured sodas or mocktails inspired by popular drinks make for an enjoyable cocktail hour. No dinner party is complete without a selection of beverages, so get creative with your signature selections!
Meal Planning
The most exciting part of the planning process will be choosing the meals to prepare. Research the cuisine and select dishes that you would like to serve. Take into consideration how many courses you would like to have, and the portion sizes for your party. Also, make sure to find out if your guests have any allergies or dietary restrictions. Here is some inspiration for meals you can create!
Italian
Appetizer: Bruschetta – grilled bread with tomatoes, basil and balsamic glaze
Main: Classic pasta dishes such as Spaghetti Bolognese or Lasagna
Side: Caprese Salad – consisting of mozzarella, basil and tomatoes
Dessert: Tiramisu
Mexican
Appetizer: Tortilla chips and guacamole
Main Course: Tacos with a choice of fillings such as chicken, beef or fish
Side: Mexican rice
Dessert: Tres leches cake – a sponge cake soaked in three types of milk
Japanese
Appetizer: Miso soup
Main Course: Assortment of sushi rolls – a fun activity to make yourself!
Side: Gyoza (Japanese dumplings)
Dessert: Mochi
Spanish
Appetizer: Croquettes
Main Course: Assortment of tapas such as Chorizo, Garlic Shrimp, Tortilla Espanola (Spanish omelette)
Side: Patatas Bravas
Dessert: Flan
Once you have finalized your menu, it’s time to find the ingredients and then get cooking! Most of these ingredients can be found at our local grocery store but you may want to take a visit to a specialized store where ingredients are more authentic and more affordable. As your dinner party approaches, if you have any friends or family members experienced with the dishes, try asking for their guidance as a way to expand your cooking knowledge and expertise.
During your dinner party, set the atmosphere with a curated playlist of music from around the world and encourage your guests to share stories from recent travel adventures or ask them to teach you more about their cultures. Food is a way to connect with the world and others around us and by planning this dinner party, you are sure to feel closer to your loved ones and learn about other nationalities. So gather your friends and let your taste buds travel!
