How to Host One Guest for Dinner

If you have a small space but still want to have someone over for dinner or even if you have a large space but want to host an intimate meal, this is your guide to hosting a dinner with only one guest.

The number one rule of hosting is make your guests comfortable and the number two rule of hosting one person is to try not to leave them alone. This is the biggest difference between hosting one person and hosting greater numbers. It doesn't mean you need to stick to them like glue, but remember they came to see you and you're the entertainment. 

Naturally, this means you need to do as much as possible ahead of time. So be sure to have the table set with everything you might need. If your table is large, seat your guest close to you, around a corner, for example.

Do not seat your guest at the table and leave them alone while you're in the kitchen. Offer them a glass of wine and Invite them into the kitchen with you while you do the final preparations. This means of course that the kitchen need be clean and orderly so you both can relax.

Choose the food carefully. The easiest is to order in from your favourite place to eat, but it will be most appreciated by your guest if you make at least part of the meal. Nothing beats the touch of love provided by homemade food.

If you're going to make all the food, choose something that will be made ahead. Summer is perfect for one person dinner parties, as cold foods are ever so easy for advance preparation.

If you're going to make something hot, choose a casserole such as lasagna, or something you can feel comfortable making with your guest in the kitchen. It's very intimate and pleasant to make something you cook expertly in front of your guest, as the experience can be a kind of one-on-one cooking lesson. 

Don't worry if you don't cook anything expertly but still want this kind of intimate experience. I've got you covered: try our Friendly Grape Tomato, Olive Oil and Garlic Pasta.