The 8 rules of midweek hosting

HAVE A GAME PLAN

Work out how much oven time or hob space you need for each dish. Don’t give yourself a menu that needs four different pots on the boil or dishes that need to be cooked at different temperatures.

BE FLEXIBLE

Don’t stress if ingredients are out of stock. Can’t find parsnips? Use cauliflower. Despise fennel? Substitute with another seasonal veg. Polenta not your thing? Try Woolworths’ gnocchi with burnt butter or a spoon of crème fraîche and Parmesan instead.

DON'T BE A HERO

If you haven’t made the dishes before, schedule a trial run over a weekend. No one ever aced a dinner party cooking exotic dishes for the first time. Trust us.

EMBRACE THE MISE EN PLACE

Setting out ingredients in advance is the best way to discover whether you’ve forgotten to buy butter or Parmesan. And always get through all the prep before the doorbell rings.

REMEMBER TO CHILL

Put bubbly and glasses in the fridge for an hour or so beforehand. And fill the ice trays! (Try one of these 7 bubblies to celebrate any occasion.)

REMEMBER TO REALLY CHILL

No-one is impressed by a host who spends hours telling everyone else to eat while they keep disappearing into the kitchen (followed by an orchestra of banging pots and clattering plates).

NEVER ACCEPT HELP

Unless they are related to you, guests should not help with the dishes. Despite the polite offers, no-one really wants to become closely acquainted with your gungy pot scourer.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS CLEAN UP BEFORE BED

Even if you drank too much red wine. You’ll thank us when you’re having your second cup of coffee in a sparkling kitchen.

Need inspiration? Browse the TASTE menu collection for perfect dinner party ideas.

Take your dinner party to the next level with these tips.