Last week my friend Sarah texted me: “I’m giving birth to people this weekend and I don’t know what to make! Thankfully, I knew what to tell her. This is the exact menu we made for countless dinner parties at this time of year. It’s my secret weapon. Delicious, mostly thought, lonely enough to pull out even when running in smoke.
Let’s do the truth. I know how you feel when you want to have people, but does the idea of ​​planning and preparing a menu prevent you? I felt this way, but somewhere along the way I realized that the best dinner parties aren’t something that will impress anyone. They are creating a space where people can exhale and feel more connected than they did when they arrived.
And that’s why this menu has become my go-to. It doesn’t feel special, but it never feels loud. And even in the busiest seasons, it gives you the confidence to say yes to your hosting.
After hosting for almost 20 years, I learned that the best menu gives guests the most time while leaning towards the natural richness of the season. This fall lineup celebrates the flavor of the harvest and can almost reach out when people arrive.
Cheese board with seasonal fruits and olives
Needs zero cooking – Place seasonal pears and figs along with good cheese, olives and crackers. Guests can graze while you finish in the kitchen. This is my autumn grazing board formula.
Cauliflower soup with seeds and Herbie drizzle
Creamy, soul warming, and totally make-up friendly. Herby Drizzle adds a touch of freshness and a restaurant quality. (This recipe comes to the site soon – adjusted!)
My never-failed roast chicken
This is a cooking method that changed everything for me. It’s golden, juicy and reliable, so I won’t stress about timing anymore. Try roast chicken with tomatoes and salsa verde. I’ll thank you later. It will be a regular rotation.
Kale Harvest Salad
Most autumnal combinations: butternut squash, apples, avocado, goat cheese, pecans. This salad gets even better as you sit down. The kale is soft and the flavor melts beautifully. This means that it can be done just a few hours before the guest arrives. Get the complete kale harvest salad recipe here.
Roasted Delicatus Squash
Sweet, caramel and gorgeous on a plate. I love Delicata. Because you don’t need to peel it off. Slice, toss in olive oil and roast until golden. The toppings are crispy, creamy, sweet and slightly spicy. This roasted delicata squash with feta, almonds and herbs is pure autumn perfection.
Makeup Game Plan
A real secret to enjoying your own party? Be strategic in preparation. By the time the guests arrive, they hope to be lit up candles and pour wine.
2 days ago:
- Shop everything (don’t forget to drinks that contain options other than alcohol!)
- Plan your table – Simple branches and candle clusters work beautifully
The day before:
- Preparation salad ingredients
- Slice the Delicatus squash
- Make soup (it reheats like a dream)
- Set the table
Day:
- Roast chicken and squash together
- Assemble the salad and cool it
- Reheat the soup while the chicken is resting
- Arrange a cheese board
- Pour light candles, wine, and take a deep breath
Why does this menu work every time?
- flexible: Vegetarian guest? Soups, salads and squash are easy to separate. Should I stretch it for the crowd? Double the salad or add another cheese.
- tolerance: The next day everything tastes even better, so timing isn’t stressful. The chicken has a wide window and the soup is not cooked.
- Special (no fuss): Creamy soup, crispy skinned chicken, caramel squash and fresh salad – a thoughtful mix of texture and flavor.
- Conversation-friendly: Family-style serving means no plating or complicated timing. Guests will pass the food around the table.
The true secret ingredient
Here are some things I’ve learned about hosting before: The goal is not perfect, it is existence.
Your guests are not impressed. They are showing up to connect. What they remember is not whether your soup was from scratch or your candles were symmetrical. They will remember feeling a part of something caring, included and special.
So, if you buy instead of baking bread, if the placemats don’t match, or if you forget to light half the candles. What’s important is that they created spaces for people to slow down, share stories, and reconnect. This menu was collected with my permit, even though life felt confusing. Be honest? Some of my most precious evenings happened around this exact meal.
Ready to try this menu yourself? I’d like to hear what happens! What is your go-to dinner party dish that you will never fail? Please drop it in the comments. I’m always looking for new favorites to add to my rotation.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
