HOW TO: Host A Dinner Party During A Pandemic
Hosting a dinner party seems “very 2019.” Yet there are lots of ways to do it safely while serving a memorable meal. Turning 2020 tweaks into festive fun takes planning and a dollop of courage. Just keep it intimate. Look to the great outdoors. And consider reducing your stress by using meal delivery or hiring a catering company for curated cuisine. We all miss our friends. Virtual gatherings just aren’t the same. So how do you host a dinner party during a pandemic?
Outside is In
It’s getting chilly. Thank goodness we live in SoCal – where daytime highs in coastal cities like Newport Beach or Laguna Beach approach the 70s. So move the party to the great outdoors –– your backyard or patio. Seating for couples or members of the same household can be at small, shared tables. Or you can use blankets and give the party a picnic vibe.
Since the nights here are pretty cold, consider having it during the post-brunch hour. You could also use heat lamps. If you don’t already have them, don’t plan the party around them until you do. Like laptops and free weights, heat lamps and patio heaters have been hard to find lately. If you lack space outdoors, choose the most open, easily ventilated room in your house.
Exclusivity
This isn’t a tailgate party. You’re throwing an intimate event. Right now parties in California are limited to members of three households –– including the hosts. Instead of a burden, make it a celebration of your friendship. Currently the COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool shows just a six percent chance that one COVID-19 positive individual will be present at any event under ten people in Orange County. So keep it small. The last thing you want is a party-crashing virus.
RSVP with an Asterisk
“2020 is different” is a huge cliche but it applies. Your number-one job is to make your guests comfortable. That means taking the time to speak with them individually. Follow up your e-vite with a phone call. Etiquette rules have changed. Address guests’ concerns. Emphasize that your list is sacrosanct. Make sure they know that like some airlines, you’ll let them last-minute cancel without penalty. You don’t want someone ignoring a cough because they’re afraid of hurting your feelings. Cancelations just mean more great food for everyone!
Deluxe Dining
Lockdowns and restaurant restrictions have inspired many to indulge their creative culinary side. Still, preparing a multi-course meal is stressful. Plus, pandemic parties are safest when plates, utensils, and other items aren’t shared. Meal delivery services in Irvine can offer single portions, can help with your weight loss goals and easily accommodate allergies along with individual preferences. Look to companies that have experience with gatherings or even meal plans like Taylor Made Cuisine catering and meal delivery. Taylor Made Cuisine catering services can offer added zest at your next private party catering event, and they deliver healthy meals throughout Orange and Los Angeles County. And that means you can receive healthy meals in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach meal delivery with just the click of a button!
Catering companies do more than just wedding catering and large events –– especially nowadays! Hiring a catering company in Irvine like TMC means eliminating the hassle of setting up and dealing with dishes. if you’ve become passionate about bread or pie making you can add those items to the mix –– personalizing the meal.
Be flexible. Don’t be deterred by unexpected obstacles. Let this year’s tweaks transform your dinner party into one guests will remember fondly long after the pandemic’s end.