How To: Fall Fete Dinner Party

In the end, it is friends and family that matter most.

I am the first to admit that I have let spending time with loved ones fall a bit to the waist side as of late. I mean where did the summer go? So my husband and I decided to host an intimate dinner party with some close friends we unfortunately do not get to see very often. Fall could not be a more perfect time for such an occasion. Summer has gone, the leaves are changing and inviting people into your home is the most intimate gesture. We love going out but it can be difficult to catch up with everyone due to seating and a noisy background. Hello down there! So when I heard about Kitchensurfing, we thought how fun to have a chef take care of the cooking, while we spend time with our guests.

Have you heard of Kitchensurfing? Based out of New York, this chef-meets-home dining experience has recently made way to Chicago and several other cities. We were blown away by how exciting it is! Think of it as Uber for chefs. Simply sign up, choose your cuisine and Kitchensurfing will pair you with the perfect man or woman for the job. Once paired, your chef will create a custom menu, buy all the groceries, prep, cook, serve and clean. Tip included too. Not to jump ahead, but the cleaning was my favorite part!

So while I didn’t do any cooking, I have lots of tips and tricks to hosting a Fall Fete of your own. From decor, to welcoming your guests, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your friends have a beautiful time in your home. 

Tip 1: Your table is the focal point. Make it beautiful!

For October and November there is nothing better than a gussied up table of vibrant pumpkins, gourdes and squash. Opt for different sizes, colors and heights – this adds dimension to your table – very pleasing to the eye. Since our party was right before Halloween, I played up the oranges and blacks. But the oranges, yellows, browns and whites are still quite appropriate for November and Thanksgiving.

Tip 2: Set the table first. Then add decor. This ensures enough room for your plates and glasses upfront.

We had twelve people in our two bedroom condo, so a long table was a must. Given we do not have a table to accommodate such a large party, we used two plastic folding tables. We covered them with white, budget friendly, table clothes and a brown paper runner (Thanks Kit!) and it looked smashing. We also didn’t have enough chairs, so we had a bit of a hodge podge of seating. Since our table scape was decadent and colorful, no one even noticed.

Tip 3: Place cards (aka seating arrangements) eliminate awkwardness!

Remember ChairGate on RHOOC? Yeah – that was bad. I know we are adults but we still have secret chair fights. Relieve your guests of decision making and let the good times roll. There is nothing worse than interrupting good energy from the cocktail hour. I wrote each persons name on a mini pumpkin and it double served as a party favor. And how chic would mini white pumpkins look?!

As a host, your attitude and energy is what really sets the tone for any party or event. Trust me, I have thrown quite a few! Are you stressed, bossy and serious? Or do you greet guests with a smile and instantly show them to the bar? It is a little thing that makes a BIG difference. Making your friends at feel at ease is so much more fun for not only them, but for you too.

Tip 5: Surprisingly, less is more when it comes to alcohol. Do not spend a fortune creating an entire bar. Letting guests know of the adult beverage selection ahead of time creates an opportunity for them to bring something else if they so choose. We served Pinot Noir and my husband setup a make-your-own Old Fashioned bar.

Not only does Kitchensurfing do dinner parties, but you can use them for an intimate date night (how fun to surprise your husband or boyfriend one evening!); a brunch and even breakfast in bed. The possibilities are endless.

Throughout the night we received restaurant service but the freedom to mingle, talk loud and walk around. Leading up to hosting, I usually feel stressed running behind. But not this time. While waiting for our guests, my husband and I enjoyed a glass of wine while Chef David slaved away in the kitchen.

Tip 6: If your guests do not know each other, introduce people by name and something they both have in common. This above and beyond introduction allows you to shortly slip away to re-fill wine glasses or check on the food. Your intro could be where they live; the same job industry; or a recent trip someone just took. It alleviates your guests from having to quickly think of something to say next and avoid that awkward moment of silence. A fun tidbit (a trip, a hobby, an accomplishment) is always more exciting because it leads to a much more interesting conversation. 

Our menu was phenomenal and I worked with Chef David to prepare an Italian Family Style meal that would fit each of my guests palates. We had a few food allergies and picky eaters, so this cuisine was perfect. However I would love to go more adventurous next time, such an authentic Thai or Sushi. Our meal was as follows:

We became quite friendly with Chef David and his staff (he brought two additional helpers to serve the dishes and refill our wine glasses). As each course was served, he explained the dish and the ingredients. It was quite an interactive meal, which made for such a special dinner. We later found out that he was a former chef at Girl and the Goat and will be the new chef at the anticipated Maple and Ash Restaurant! Such a treat.

Tip 7: Remember to ask your guests about any food allergies and restrictions before you decide on the menu. 

Need a Christmas present idea? Not only does Kitchensurfing do dinner parties, but you can use them for a date night (how fun to surprise your husband or boyfriend one evening!); a cocktail party, brunch and even breakfast in bed. The possibilities are endless. I was also thinking how this could be a great baby shower gift for a new mom and dad. Such a lovely date night but without the pain of finding a sitter, leaving the baby, etc. 

To give you an idea of pricing, it all depends on the chef and what they are making. Clearly lobster and caviar are going to be at a different price point than chicken and pasta. Our meal was quoted at $50 per person and included all the shopping, food, cooking, cleanup and tip (no alcohol). For Chicago, this is half the price of what you would pay at a restaurant and you get to drink much better wine (BYOB!). Now obviously this can add up if you are picking up the entire tab for a large party, but this could easily be something each couple pays their own way on. To make your Kitchensurfing meal even more affordable, opt for a brunch option, a smaller party and/or less courses. You can make this anything you want! Just work with your chef to create your very own custom meal at your ideal price point. 

{Chef David and his wife & Me and Sean (the hubs)}

My husband and I loved Kitchensurfing and we are already thinking New Years! We also received glowing reviews and feedback from our friends days afterwards. One couple is already talking about planning their own! We had so much fun and would recommend this to anyone for any occasion. 

So what about you guys? Any fun hosting or party tips? Do you like to have people at your home or does it seem exhausting? The holidays always mean lots of cocktail and dining affairs. And what are your thoughts on saying goodbye at a party?