Due for a catch-up? Absolutely.
Should we make a dinner reservation? That sounds like a lot of work.
Takeout ordering? In this economy, forget about it.
Instead, turn your attention to a platter night – the simple yet sophisticated solution.
Here, Simone Dunne shares her take on the modern dining scene and why food is a powerful connector.
Cook up a plan
First things first, the organising.
For Simone and her group of friends, these gatherings often emerge on a whim.
“Someone will say, ‘I think we’re due for a catch-up, let’s do this’,” she said.
“It’s often spur of the moment, and everyone throws in their ideas.”
Those ideas typically include slow cooker nights, bonfire gatherings, or platter evenings, where every person contributes something, turning one dish wonders into grand feasts.
What’s on the menu?
Simone recommends a mixture of sweet and savoury, with guests assigned to each dish.
“When people try to bring something different outside the box, like a new recipe, that’s what everyone likes,” she said.
“I often make a mixed dessert platter with all the sweets and treats, which always goes down well.”
Alongside sweets, savoury options like nachos or a pot of potatoes cooked over hot flames maintain a playful spirit during bonfire nights.
Plus, everything can be enjoyed outdoors without the formality of plates or cutlery.
No dishes, no worries!
Such a serve
To misquote William Shakespeare, to post, or not to post, that is the question.
Nowadays, food’s aesthetic to the eye is just as important as the peak of flavour to the tongue, and it’s part of the enjoyment that Simone gets from these nights.
But if you feel your dish isn’t Instagram-worthy, no-one is the wiser.
“When it’s all together, it always looks aesthetically pleasing, and knowing everyone’s made an effort to contribute makes it beautiful,” Simone said.
A night in is never off the table
Ultimately, it’s not just about the food.
It’s the people that orbit it, the laughter that inevitably erupts, and the memories created around it.
“I encourage people to get their friends together and have these nights, it’s an effortless way to catch up,” Simone said.
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