Good Food Blog

Better to brunch

Posted at 11:35AM, 10 November 2010 by Dulcima Mansell - Food writer

The nights are drawing in and, if you're anything like me, you're tempted to start filling the diary with dinner parties to add some fun to the colder months. But before you start phoning around, let me make my case. Yes, it sounds like a nice idea, sharing good food and conversation with your friends, but you've forgotten the weeks of planning and stressing over what would be the best menu that shows off your skills without trying too hard. You have to plan who to invite, but will they get on? Will they be free on a Saturday night any time soon or are you now planning a party for six months' time?

Open quotationWhat about vegetarians? People with food allergies? And then think about the mountain of dirty dishes that will greet you the next morning...Close quotation

Are there any fussy eaters on your guest list? What about vegetarians? People with food allergies? And think about the mountain of dirty dishes that will greet you the next morning, when you will probably have a sore head as you drank too much wine, in an attempt to relax even though you were jumping up every ten minutes to check on the next course.

And that's just the effort for the host; it's not easy being the guest either. What bottle of wine should you take with you; is one bottle mean; does two make you look like you have a drinking problem? Whose turn is it to be the designated driver or do you shell out for a taxi? And you've already shelled out for the babysitter.

Don't worry, I'm not trying to kill your social life. I love a good dinner party but I would like to make the case for something different. Why not afternoon tea or a social brunch? You still get to see friends but without all the hassle; you get the good food but nowhere near as much planning and stress. And if you still (like me) want to show off a little bit, why not amaze your brunch guests with your perfect hollandaise? Or showcase your homemade jams with some beautiful scones for a tasty afternoon tea?

Daylight hosting is cheaper, your friends are more available and there is less pressure on the cook: the dinner party is dead. All hail the brunch and afternoon tea!

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Comments

  • Binder photo Alexandra
    10 November 2010, 9:35PM

    Alexandra

    Open QuoteI make a case for the increasingly more popular option to host lunches. Light food, (somewhat) less booze and the evening is still yours to relax and be fresh and fruity the next day.

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  • Binder photo Jean
    10 November 2010, 9:50PM

    Jean

    Open QuoteHere in NZ I do a long italian lunch outside with my friends, and they all bring a dish and lots of wine, last ones dribble home about 5. It is a great way to eat - NZ tradition to have pot luck and has to be home-made - we love it. Easy

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  • Binder photo busylizzie
    11 November 2010, 12:03AM

    busylizzie

    Open QuoteI agree that lunches are a lot of fun. However, the last lunch I went to (there were 6 of us and each guest brought a course to even out the stress!!) the booze flowed no less and I got home at midnight. Had a great time though but I think I must have a lot of fun-loving boozy friends!

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  • Binder photo Wildbluesun
    11 November 2010, 1:10AM

    Wildbluesun

    Open QuoteSince when have people been more available during the day? Possibly at weekends, but everyone has work/school. x.X (And if you're a student like me, chances are everyone has homework or a parttime job during the day.)

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  • Binder photo Patricia
    11 November 2010, 8:38AM

    Patricia

    Open QuoteBrunches have their rightful place but I cook and entertain because I love my friends and enjoy quality time I spend with them. I like the preparation work before friends arrive and love to experiment with reduced sauces which take a lot of time to get right. For me, this preparation work is all part of the entertaining and my hobby - quality food. Personally, I do not like friends to offer to bring courses but I do like them to bring a bottle of quality wine. I think the emphasis is on quality food, quality time.

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  • Binder photo Karen
    11 November 2010, 9:12AM

    Karen

    Open QuoteLunch is great, but if you have children then sometimes it is nice to see your friends without there wonderful input and be able to have some full conversations. Dinner parties are fun, planning the menu is all part of it, going through recipe books and finding new things for the party and after, the key to a fun party for the host is finding recipes that do not have you jumping up every ten minutes, do the preparation as much as possible in advance. I do enjoy cooking and experimenting so maybe that is why I enjoy dinnner parties. Also really enjoy sunday roast lunches with families but is a different experience.

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  • Binder photo Magnus Wood
    11 November 2010, 11:04AM

    Magnus Wood

    Open QuoteIf we've learnt anything from the Seventies and Eighties, when food was all about show and status, it is that eating with family and friends is at its best when it's casual and the food is a foil for a great time. Ask yourself the question - do you really want to be friends with people who judge and compete with you on the quality of your sauces? Lighten up, put what you feel is right on the table, and have fun.

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  • Binder photo chedda
    11 November 2010, 12:59PM

    chedda

    Open QuoteI love to entertain friends and family over dinner but choosing the right menu is often difficult. I want my guests to feel comfortable and enjoy the food. It gives me pleasure to arrange a stylish table or candlelit patio and it add to the experience. I try to "spoil" them with something I think they will really like and perhaps they wouldn't eat everyday but more importantly, I want to spend time with them and not in the kitchen!

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  • Binder photo Linguina
    11 November 2010, 1:22PM

    Linguina

    Open QuoteI love to spend a weekend lunch with my friends: nice food, wine and lots of fun. Especially if the day is not great you can't find a better excuse to stay home and enjoy the rainy cold days!

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  • Binder photo Mags Wallace
    11 November 2010, 2:04PM

    Mags Wallace

    Open QuoteI agree with Magnus. Friends don't judge you on the standard of your food that's just a bonus. It is the good company that counts most! Having said that I have 8 to feed next Saturday night and one of our party eats fish but is meat and dairy free making it quite a challenge by hey that can also be quite fun trying to find a suitable menu.

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  • Binder photo Sandra
    11 November 2010, 7:15PM

    Sandra

    Open QuoteNo way brunch - I love dinner parties especially the starters. As long as you plan alternative dishes you can please 8 people nicely. So you have a lot of washing up the next day but its easily done.

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  • Binder photo Lushious
    12 November 2010, 11:08AM

    Lushious

    Open QuoteI like the idea of brunch, but I do love the challenge of a dinner party. I love to plan and shop and show off and if it can all be prepared in advance then so much the better. I don't look forward to the washing up, or the mammoth cleaning up session before and after, but while I am entertaining with good friends who appreciate my efforts then I love it!!!!

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  • Binder photo JohnBromley
    23 November 2010, 1:06AM

    JohnBromley

    Open QuoteI worked in the Middle East, the Sultanate of Oman for a number of years. Informal dinner parties were very popular evenings, often going on to the early hours of the morning, My speciality recipe was "Lamb shanks in port and red wine with sun dried tomatoes. One time a hosted a full cold buffet breakfast. All the guests had to bring was a bottle or more of champagne. The breakfast lasted the most of the day. Lunches are in the middle of nothing.

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  • Binder photo sdfsdfas
    24 January 2011, 1:57AM

    sdfsdfas

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