Imagine yourself, cool drink in hand, in an ultimate comfort zone and hosting an unforgettable stress-free gathering. With all the right ingredients in place, it really is possible…
The thought of entertaining at home can strike fear into the hearts of many. But it need not be a stressful experience. Setting the scene for ultimate comfort is all about creating beautiful liveable outdoor spaces, offering delicious simple dishes, creating a warm and welcoming ambience, and special little touches that make your gathering a memorable event.
Advanced planning will definitely set the scene for success. If you have time you can be far more organised. It’s ok to keep the event simple too — after all, when entertaining at home, it’s the company that is important.
A room for all seasons
Creating an alfresco space that is designed with entertaining in mind begins with maximising the use of the space. If you have a covered roof, you won’t have to take the party indoors if it starts to rain, or on those sizzling summer days when shade is essential for ultimate comfort. You can opt for a permanent roof structure made from materials like steel and polycarbonate, Colorbond steel, vinyl or timber.
The right roof can transform the way you live outdoors. Folding arm awnings offer protection from the elements. You can also choose to have retractable roofing. It can be there one minute, offering protection, then it can gently slide or fold away, allowing warm sunshine to stream in during winter.
Homeowners can control the elements at just the touch of a button, or electronically via your smartphone, creating just the right level of ultimate comfort. Retractable roofing and folding arm awnings can be found in a diverse array of materials and trims.
With the right screening, you can also enclose a space to keep out insects and offer more privacy when needed.
A deck to dine on
Decks can be low level, elevated or multilevel to create a beautiful outdoor feature in your entertaining spaces. Australian hardwood timbers like ironbark or tallowwood are considered among the strongest of decking materials. Timbers are graded on their durability — the higher their rating, themore hardwearing.
Composite decking has the look and feel of timber. It’s made from recycled wood fibres and other additives and is low maintenance and durable, with a consistent-looking grain. It’s also UV protected. Source a product that offers a 25-year warranty.
Put your feet up
While your guests will enjoy mingling, seating is important. Cosy sofas, outdoor beanbags, bar stools, seating around a firepit, daybeds to recline on and sunlounges to soak up those rays by the pool are all popular. Opt for seating in durable weatherproof fabrics in neutral colours, and choose quality products that will endure. To freshen up the look, simply swap out scatter cushions to add a splash of seasonal colour.
Tables and other things
Of course, you’ll need a table or tables for guests to graze on or sit down at if it’s a sit-down affair. Once you have sorted your tables, have a trial run to see how you’ll decorate them and where you’ll position chairs and other aspects like additional lighting, including festoon lighting and lamps, candles, and other decorative elements like place holders. If you do it a little in advance, this adds a buffer if you need to source additional supplies, something you might have forgotten, or change aspects of the decor if it doesn’t look right.
Plan for success
There’s no denying hosting a get-together at home can be a lot of work. Florencia Vazquez, co-founder and director of Chapa Catering and Events, says getting a caterer on board to do all or part of a larger event can save you time and stress. “Many people underestimate the amount of time it takes to host and the stress involved,” she says. “When you do have an event catered, it’s easy, just like bringing the restaurant to your own home.”
Florencia suggests thinking about the end goal of the event and how you want it to look. That will shape how you plan and style the event. “Some people want to tie the look into the style of the house, others want to go a little bit more experimental, with colours or themes,” she says.
When you are planning an event, choosing a theme can add to the fun. “For example, you might choose a Mediterranean night and your menu and decor, flowers and decoration can reflect that,” says Florencia. Another tip she has is to have a signature cocktail on arrival. “Also have canapes, small bites or a grazing table ready for your first guests, as not everyone arrives at the same time,” she notes.
If you do plan to serve up your own food, having waiters and servers on hand can make it a more relaxed affair. “It takes away all the pressure of serving your guests and you can take a step back and sit down and relax,” explains Florencia. You can also have an event partially catered; for example, some people prefer to offer their own grazing table, then Florencia’s staff will serve a couple of courses and people might do their own desserts.
Whether you want a buffet, shared plates or guests being served when they sit down, the choice is yours. Florencia says with sit down, everyone is sitting and chatting as the food comes to the table. “It creates a feeling of warmth, however setting up a buffet table can be a little less labour intensive,” she points out.
What’s on the menu? Five minutes with celebrity chef Derek Lau
What are some of the secrets to making a memorable get-together for family and friends?
Derek says it’s all about the food and the environment — the vibe! “When family and friends come over, they want to enjoy themselves, so making sure you’re in control on the day is important, for both the cooking and the cleaning,” he advises.
“You’ll want a good selection of drinks, something that caters to both adults and children, because not everyone drinks alcohol. Make sure it’s all chilled down (nobody likes a warm drink), and also make sure you’ve got lots of ice on hand,” he adds.
“Whenever I’m cooking or planning a get-together, I’ll also find out what people like to eat, so make sure you know those dietaries,” he says. “Finally, have fun. If you don’t, then your guests may have a memorable experience for the wrong reasons! Besides, it’s family and friends that are coming over so there’s absolutely no need to stress. If something doesn’t work out, they’ll understand.”
It can be stressful entertaining — what are some ways to diminish the stress factor and achieve ultimate comfort?
“I always plan ahead. Set yourself a menu first, then a shopping list, and make sure you do your shopping a few days before. You don’t want to be stuck without an ingredient at the last minute,” he notes.
“Start your prep (if you can) one to two days prior to reduce stress. You can always do a few things in advance. For example, you can make a mac and cheese the night prior but finish it in the oven on the day of entertaining,” he says. “Or you could sous vide your steak earlier, bring it back to temp, and then sear for when your guests come. It’s also important to choose menu items that are easy to cook on the day you’re entertaining. I like to do things that can feed the masses with a few good sides. You might want to smoke a big piece of brisket or some ribs, for example. Something like this you can get onto earlier in the day, then all you need are a few good sides and you’re ready to go,” he explains.
“Also, choose things that are quick to cook. For example, prawns are an easy one. You can marinate prior, and then char them and have them hot to go. It’s all about planning ahead to reduce the stress.”
What are some key pointers to set the scene for ultimate comfort and fun?
Derek says it’s important to remember dinner parties aren’t always about the food. “For me, the kitchen is a huge part of entertaining for the evening. Without a doubt you’ll still be preparing some last-minute things when your guests arrive,” he notes. “Make sure your kitchen is open and invite people to congregate there and make conversation. Have a nice array of beverages ready to kick-start the evening.”
Derek says entertaining is all about sharing the meal. “Choose dishes that allow people to interact and pass food around,” he says. “Also have a big range of sauces and condiments on hand, and if you’ve got something that’s extra hot, it’s always fun to watch somebody try those (warning: have some milk on hand),” he laughs.
“Finally, always have some background music to help set the tone. And last but not least, don’t strive for perfection. Your best evening is always when everyone is having fun, feeling relaxed and is in a stress-free environment.”
