With more than 500 dinner parties under his belt, Simon James Bailey knows a thing or two about hosting. The host of the SBS TV series Toast the Host believes entertaining should feel joyful, not like a test of endurance – and that a beautiful evening doesn’t have to come at the cost of your sanity.
“What I love most about it is curating a lovely experience for my friends, in my own home,” he says. I love it when we can just sit down, have a good catch-up and a good chat, and enjoy some lovely food and a few glasses of wine.”
If you too want to recreate the magical experience of dining out at a fancy event, without spending a fortune on bringing the pros in – it can be done.
Bailey shares his five top tips to nail that professional hospitality vibe, and help you throw a dinner party that’s elegant, effortless, and most importantly, enjoyable.
(Really) consider your guests
Before planning your dream menu, take a moment to check in with your guests. Preferences and dietary requirements can change, whether it’s due to allergies, cultural or religious reasons, or new health issues.
“I've always been fortunate to have a great range of friends who come from all different backgrounds, cultures, and religions. So, I enjoy creating a menu that suits everyone at the table,” he says.
He suggests saving his friends' dietaries on his phone contact list, so the information will be easily at hand when you're out shopping.
Being thoughtful about your guests’ needs isn’t just courteous, it’s key to making everyone feel truly welcome (and will save you from coming up with a new dish on the fly).
Lean into make-ahead dishes (and store-bought accompaniments)
Trying to cook an entire meal while greeting guests and topping up drinks is a surefire recipe for stress. Instead, choose dishes that can be partially or entirely made in advance like his chicken and orange pâté canapés.
A little marmalade is the perfect finishing touch for these brandy and orange pâté bites.
Slow-cooked meat can also save you a lot of time on the night. Bailey’s go-to is a pulled beef brisket, which can be served as tacos or nachos later in the evening.
“When I'm planning a multi-course dinner party, I usually plan it in a way that there are pre-prepared items, cold items, and then the main course and a pre-prepared dessert,” he says. “The most important thing is to pick food that you know how to cook, and that doesn’t require a lot of finesse on the night.”
And while Bailey loves making his own sauces, he believes there’s no shame in buying a good quality Hollandaise or red wine jus from a store when time is tight.
Set the mood with your table
“A beautifully set table makes people feel welcome, and it also shows them that you have made an effort. It's a little bit outside of the ordinary,” says Bailey.
His signature touch? Arrangements made from greenery snipped straight from his garden. Just keep them low enough that guests can chat easily across the table.
Simon James Bailey loves flower arrangements with greenery he picks from his garden. Credit: Shearer Viljoen
Hold off on the wine (until the oven’s off)
“I've learned over the years to not drink a lot of wine while I'm doing anything that's related to heat," says Bailey, laughing.
By prepping desserts like a chocolate mousse or Eton mess earlier in the day, he can relax into the evening and enjoy a glass of wine (or two) without risking a forgotten soufflé.
Don’t forget the soundtrack
Music matters. “Find nice background music that may sound familiar to people, but that isn't intrusive to conversation. It will make people feel welcome and comfortable,” says Bailey.
His favourites? A bit of modern jazz or Sade to start. After dinner, he’ll switch to upbeat pop to keep the energy flowing. And when the evening is winding down? “I put on something slow and dull, and everyone gets the hint,” he says with a smile.
While Bailey enjoys going the extra mile for his guests, in the end, it’s not about extravagance. “It's not about the most complex flower arrangements or anything like that. It's just about entertaining simply with a little bit of elegance and a little bit of thought so that people are comfortable,” he sums up.
