Hosting a Dinner

Rahul hosts a small dinner party at home for close friends, planning the menu, setting the table, and welcoming his guests.

Meanings in Rahul, Guests, Wife

Key words and phrases

guest lista list of people invited to an eventWe kept the guest list small, just close friends.

to set the tableto arrange plates, glasses, and cutlery before a mealShe set the table before the guests arrived.

startera small dish served to guests before the main mealWe served soup as a starter.

hosta person who welcomes and entertains guestsAs the host, he greeted every guest at the door.

potlucka gathering where each guest brings a dish to shareWe decided to make it a potluck dinner.

seating arrangementthe plan for where each guest will sitWe planned the seating arrangement in advance.

dietary preferencesa person's specific food choices or restrictionsHe asked about everyone's dietary preferences beforehand.

centrepiecea decorative item placed at the centre of a dining tableFresh flowers made a lovely centrepiece.

toasta short speech made while raising a glass to celebrate someoneHe raised a toast to his friend's success.

leftoversfood remaining after the guests have eatenWe packed the leftovers for our guests to take home.

cutleryknives, forks, and spoons used for eatingShe laid out the cutlery next to each plate.

RSVPa request for guests to confirm whether they will attendPlease RSVP by Friday so we know the numbers.

main coursethe primary and largest dish of a mealBiryani was the main course of the evening.

desserta sweet dish served after the main mealWe ended dinner with gulab jamun for dessert.

tableclotha cloth used to cover a dining tableShe spread a fresh tablecloth before the guests arrived.

candlelightlight from candles, often used to create a warm moodThey dined by candlelight that evening.

buffeta meal where guests serve themselves from a spread of dishesWe set up a buffet so guests could help themselves.

napkina piece of cloth or paper used to wipe one's mouth or handsHe placed a folded napkin beside every plate.

ambiencethe atmosphere or mood of a placeSoft music added to the ambience of the dinner.

doggy baga bag given to a guest to take home leftover foodShe took the extra biryani home in a doggy bag.

Useful sentences

Ask Who's on the guest list tonight?
Answer Just our close friends, about eight people.
Ask Should I bring something for the potluck?
Answer A dessert would be perfect, thank you.
Ask Does anyone have any dietary preferences?
Answer Yes, two of us are vegetarian.
Ask Have you set the table yet?
Answer Yes, and I added flowers as a centrepiece.
Ask Would you like to say a toast?
Answer I'd be happy to, thank you for asking.
Ask Did everyone RSVP for tonight?
Answer Yes, all eight of them confirmed.
Ask What's the main course tonight?
Answer Biryani, served with raita on the side.
Ask Is there a dessert planned as well?
Answer Yes, gulab jamun for dessert.
Ask Should I light some candles for the ambience?
Answer That would be lovely, thank you.
Ask Do we have enough napkins and cutlery out?
Answer Yes, I've already laid them all out.

Dialogue

WifeThe guests will arrive in an hour. Is the table set?

RahulAlmost done, I'm just adding the centrepiece now.

GuestThank you for having us over tonight, Rahul.

RahulWelcome! Please, make yourselves comfortable.

GuestEverything smells wonderful. What's on the menu?

RahulA few starters, then biryani as the main course.

GuestThat sounds delicious! Can I help with anything?

RahulNo, please just relax and enjoy the evening.

WifeDinner is ready, everyone. Please take your seats.

GuestThank you, this all looks wonderful.

Common mistakes

Saying "lay the table" and "set the table" interchangeably without knowing both are acceptable — but "set the table" is more common and safer in everyday English.
Saying "give a toast" instead of "raise a toast" or "propose a toast."
Saying "host the guests" repeatedly instead of varying with "welcome the guests" or "entertain the guests."
Saying "confirm your RSVP" instead of just "please RSVP," since RSVP already means "please respond."
Saying "main course dish" instead of simply "main course," which already means the primary dish.
Saying "give me a napkin" instead of the more polite "could I have a napkin, please."

Quick quiz

1. What is a "potluck"?

2. A decorative item placed at the centre of a dining table is called a ___.

3. Complete: "He raised a ___ to his friend's success."

4. What does "RSVP" mean?

5. Which word means "the atmosphere or mood of a place"?

6. Complete: "We ended dinner with gulab jamun for ___."

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