How to Throw a Stress Free Dinner Party

How to Throw a Stress Free Dinner Party Audra Lowe: Going to parties is a lot of fun but hosting them a whole different story that could be a stressful nightmare but it really doesn’t have to be that way. We sent Jordan Reid out for some tips on how to throw a stress free dinner party. Jordan Reid: I’m here at Mia Dona, a cozy rustic Italian restaurant in New York City and specializes in traditional—cuisine. And today restaurateur and hostess with Donatella Arpaia is going to teach me how to throw a totally stress free dinner party. This is advice I can use. Donatella Arpaia: Jordan. Jordan Reid: Thank you so much for having me. I’m so excited. Donatella Arpaia: Ready to throw a party? Jordan Reid: I am. Donatella Arpaia: Awesome. Jordan Reid: Let’s dive right in and get some of your top tips for stress free hosting. First, what is this? This looks really, really delicious. Donatella Arpaia: This is lasagna. A lot of my friends aren’t gourmets in the kitchen but I always say make one thing yourself and then buy the rest. I like to make baked dishes because they actually are better if you make it ahead of time. Jordan Reid: This is your mom’s recipe? Donatella Arpaia: This is my mom’s recipe. And the good thing about that big pasta is it doesn’t have to be piping hot. Mom, don’t listen you can even put it in the microwave right before him with a little sauce and it’s even better than ever and people love it. Jordan Reid: What do we have here? Donatella Arpaia: Another tip that I have, stay away from all those bad frozen 0120 that we buy in a box in the freezer section. You can pretty much miniaturized anything even soup which is really, really simple. In the summer, I like to put them in shot glasses so they’re nice and refreshing. And I always like to add a little drama and a little topping like a little virgin olive oil or look at special tea cup just for your hand doesn’t get— Jordan Reid: Isn’t that pretty? Donatella Arpaia: Here is another thing get rid of those angled toothpicks with a little doily it’s all about having a little—these are bamboo sticks, they're very inexpensive. You can put a little bowl of mozzarella and tomato and you’re done. Jordan Reid: And of course tunes are crucial for any party. Donatella Arpaia: Crucial, prepare a playlist for the evening I like to have it a little specially in the beginning of the night when people start to come in for signature cocktail, have it a little jumpier. And then I would time it until like let’s say 45 minutes goes in a transition into another song and then I know to start like setting the food out. Jordan Reid: And songs have marker. Donatella Arpaia: Yes, I use songs as markers even to wine down so that when it’s time to get those last guests out it’s like okay this song is on like what’s that last dance—for last dance— Jordan Reid: And that’s the key to get out. Donatella Arpaia: I’m not hyper organized but the more organized you are these few little tips and tricks make you for a happy hostess. Audra Lowe: Good tips and that lasagna I have to say look delicious. Stay tuned because later in the show Donatella is going to teach Jordan how to make a delicious signature cocktail to serve at the party.