My longstanding commitment to any kind of celebration (especially those that centre on food) was recently cemented when we invested in a far-too-large table for our kitchen-cum- dining area. I stand by the notion that a kitchen does only half the job when hosting – it’s the dining table where everything comes to life and we see the true expression of the host.
For as long as I can remember I’ve cooked in bulk. I’ve made five-course birthday meals for 30 people. A weeknight meal for two doesn’t exist in our kitchen; there will always be enough for eight. I have an endless Tupperware collection to prove it.
Throughout the pandemic my passion to feed – or to at least show people how to nourish themselves – increased tenfold. I thrived on being able to share the experience of a great meal, albeit virtually. The high was exhilarating and the comedown and lonesome eating were a bizarre disconnect.
I craved sitting around the table with friends and family. I’ve never appreciated the hours lost around a dining table quite so much as I do now.
Hosting a dinner party is just heaven for chef and cookbook writer Anna Barnett. She shares her hosting tips, must-have kit and why presentation is about more than mere knives and napkins
PROMOTED CONTENT
the table
Linens, napkins, glassware and serving bowls offer a chance to bring in vibrant colours
John Lewis Pink Shawl Collar Coat, £159
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Life and soul of
SERVICE, PLEASE
I have accumulated serving dishes over the years to suit specific favourite meals and the collection is ever growing to match whichever theme may take my fancy.
When it comes to dinner parties, dessert is taken care of in advance and will be plonked on the table with minimal effort on my part. It’s worth putting the work in early so that hosting is your only priority on the night.
Prepping for guests is a heady day of “enjoying” the process, attempting to be both laissez faire and as organised as can be, and that final dash when you’ve run out of time because flower arranging took over.
The world of tablescaping has reached its peak and is now a standalone vocation. Themed tablescapes – by colour, season or just because it matches your gorgeous new tableware – are big hitters when it comes to impressing your dinner guests.
I have a commitment to timeless pieces that can fit into most themes and sit keenly within my kitchen. Your crockery collection is as important as staple wardrobe items you come back to time and again. Invest in pieces you love and you’ll want to use them as often as you can.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
with
Charlotta Elgh
Home design director at John Lewis
Beautiful tableware that is lovely to touch brings a great vibe to any meal. And the John Lewis Leckford Stoneware range is just that. Featuring an artisan-style glaze in a soft, off-white tone, it has fluid lines and classic references such as a gentle curve at the top rim of its bowls. Designed in-house, the ridged styling is inspired by the gills on mushrooms grown at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire, which has been farmed by the John Lewis Partnership for over 90 years.
Leckford Stoneware Tall Serve Bowl, 22.7cm White, £20
John Lewis Blue and Gold Footed Glass Serving Bowl, 34cm, £40
John Lewis Trestle Dining Table, Oak, £799
Perfect setting John Lewis Trestle Dining Table, Oak, £799; Santino Dining Chair, Tan/Oak, £229; Bubble Amber Glassware, from £6
DOUBLE DUTY
Cookware that is pretty enough to double up as serveware is a godsend when it comes to minimising the washing-up as well as impressing at the table for fans of family-style dining.
Crucial to any kitchen collection is a large shallow casserole dish, which makes cooking for big numbers look effortless. John Lewis has a gas and induction-compatible cast iron version in frost grey. It has a lifetime guarantee and a nifty price point compared with many cast iron ranges.
That new dining table set? Well now’s the time to invest in this key piece. Anything that makes a statement before you’ve added to it is a true bonus.
The John Lewis six-seater oak trestle dining table (it can easily sit eight when reconfigured) is designed in-house and inspired by Japanese lattice screening. The spindle trestles promote open-plan living, elegantly dividing a space while letting light through.
Invest in pieces that are design-led for something you’ll appreciate having in your home day in, day out. It’s more than just a table, it’s a blank canvas to showcase your creativity.
CROCKERY SHOULD BE ON THE NEUTRAL SIDE, ALLOWING FOOD TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE
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Crockery should always be on the neutral side, allowing your food to take centre stage – the John Lewis Leckford Stoneware range is the perfect example of a pared back dinnerware service that’s plain enough to show off the food but still has design details that add layers of interest.
Linens, tablecloths, napkins, glassware, candlesticks and serving bowls offer a chance for vibrant colours. I’m mindful of creating a table layered with textures, working up from linen or place settings – a woven, rattan or jute style will pivot to most themes (see the jute placemats from John Lewis, above). Candles and vases elevate any table, as does a selection of wine glasses.
Statement pieces, like John Lewis’s blue and gold footed bowl at £40, add an extra wow factor and can also become part of the fabric of your home.
Delicate in looks yet robust in nature, it’s dishwasher and microwave safe. The range starts from £3 and has everything from mugs and plates to jugs and a teapot.
John Lewis Cast Iron Shallow Casserole, 31cm, Frost Grey, £60
John Lewis jute placemats, set of two, £10
John Lewis Blue and Gold Footed Glass Serving Bowl, 34cm, £40
To dine for
Leckford Stoneware
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John Lewis Bubble Glass Jug, 1.1L, Amber, £22
John Lewis Large Check Cotton Tablecloth, Dark Blue, 250 x 160cm, from £25
John Lewis ANYDAY Cotton Napkins, Set of 4, Navy, £8
