What Happened to Dinner Parties? (Can We Save Them?)
Whatever happened to the dinner party? Have we gotten too busy, too intimidated, or just too comfortable ordering takeout to invite friends over for a proper meal?
This week on Flavorphiles, Tanner and Jerry are bringing back the lost art of entertaining. First, they're joined by Toronto Star contributor Catherine Bradbury to explore why dinner parties have fallen out of fashion and what we're missing by not gathering around the table.
Then, Tanner explains how to throw an incredible dinner party even if you can't cook. From clever shortcuts to the little details that make guests feel special, hosting doesn't have to mean spending all day in the kitchen.
Next, former White House Chef John Moeller takes us behind the scenes of entertaining at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. After cooking for three presidential administrations, he shares what goes into a White House dinner party and answers the question we've all wondered: Do presidents and their families eat like the rest of us?
Finally, Tanner and Jerry tackle the biggest dinner party mistakes, from questionable guest lists and kitchen disasters to the etiquette offenses that can ruin a perfectly good evening. Whether you're a seasoned host or haven't invited anyone over in years, this episode might just inspire you to set the table, open a bottle of wine, and bring the dinner party back.