Canadian chef, writer, food stylist and entrepreneur Christine Flynn may just be the finest source for outdoor entertaining inspiration. She is the author of A Generous Meal: Modern Recipes for Dinner, the proprietor of The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. (a culinary destination set on an idyllic farm and vineyard in Beamsville, Ont.) and the passionate planner of many captivatingly stylish – and always enchanting – get-togethers, both indoors and out. We asked Flynn to share what it takes to throw her IG-ready fetes, and her resulting meld of common-sense planning and magical touches is nothing short of exhilarating. Here are eight back-pocket ideas from Flynn that you’ll want to copy for your next dinner party.
1) Go for Golden Hour
If your gathering is taking place outdoors, find out when the sun is expected to set in your area on that day. “Depending on where you live, you may want to eat a little later in the day, if you’re planning on being in the full sun,” Flynn says. “The golden hour makes for the best photos, but it’s also a bit cooler and likely a more amenable temperature than full August heat in the middle of the day.”
2) Mind the Temperature
If there’s one rule you need to follow, it’s that dishes meant to be served cold should stay, well, cold, and the same goes for hot plates. “For cold dishes, like gazpacho, salads and crudo, chill the bowls and plates in your freezer ahead of time to keep the food icy cold,” Flynn says. “Similarly, warm plates and platters for hot dishes in a low oven before serving. Go for family style versus individually plated plates, so people can serve themselves.”
3) Use What You Have
“Decorate your table with things from the garden,” says Flynn. “Small jars of herbs or pollinator plants are lovely and fragrant without being overpowering, and when our gardens are in peak production, I love to just spread out tomatoes and peppers as part of my tablescape.”
4) Think About Drinks
“For me, warm weather calls for rosé or a gorgeous skin-contact Pinot Grigio, but you’ll also want to have lots of water and a thoughtful non-alcoholic option on hand,” says Flynn. “Put out ice buckets to keep everything well chilled and make sure everyone has both water and wine glasses at their place setting, as all the great conversation you’ll be having is a thirst-making activity.”
5) Layer Your Lighting
“With outdoor dining, you get a pass on everything having to match. And you can really lean into the whimsy of your space by adding different types of lighting,” says Flynn. “I use my grandmother’s brass candlesticks, with big, drippy taper candles, as well as smaller tea lights combined with string lights overhead. The effect is unique and personal, and creates a real mood.”
6) Shop Smart
Focus on quality, not quantity, for your tablescape. “Buy good, crusty bread, the best olive oil, big wedges of salty cheese and briny olives,” Flynn recommends. “These will be delicious, but also take some of the pressure off you, while making your table look abundant and enticing.”
7) Opt for Thrifted Decor
For items you might not have, such as cloth napkins, platters or candlesticks, Flynn suggests heading to a thrift store. “With a bit of digging, you’ll find wonderful treasures,” she says. “Vintage lace or linen tablecloths can be laid flat or scrunched to create texture on your table. Old quilts are a welcome offer to chilly guests. Repurpose vintage bell jars to make great candle holders.”
8) Make Your Guest List Manageable
The bigger the guest list, the bigger the effort. “Ten people is the maximum number I want to host, and if you want to host more than that, hire someone to help you,” Flynn suggests. “Usually, a local restaurant or catering company can recommend a team member to come and give you a hand with set-up, serving and cleanup. Trust me: it is worth every penny.”
9) Plan Your Menu
“Don’t try to make all the food the day of your dinner party,” Flynn advises. “Prepare as much as you can the day before, leaving last-minute touches, like dressing salads, until just before your meal is served. Plan for mostly cold or ambient temperature dishes, so you don’t have to do too much sweating over the stove in your party outfit. And don’t pick the day of your party to try a new dish!”
Recipes from Christine Flynn
Baked Cheese With Hot Honey
Christine Flynn's crowd-pleasing recipe for baked cheese has a hot honey drizzle.
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Warm Chorizo in Sidra
Christine Flynn's super-simple recipe for warm chorizo in dry Spanish apple cider, served with charred bread on the side.
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Easy Pear Cake
Christine Flynn's recipe for a cake with baked-in Red Anjou or Bosc pears.
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Lemony Spaghetti Squash With Burrata
Christine Flynn's creative recipe for a summery spaghetti squash dish, served room-temp with burrata, lemon and herbs.
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