Essential Dinner Party Tools, Chosen by Food52's Amanda Hesser
"Being prepared for dinner parties isn't all about the food," says Food52's Amanda Hesser, who wrote our How to Throw a Stress-Free Dinner Party feature. "A few kitchen and home goods make entertaining a whole lot easier, and some items, like a great salad bowl or cake stand, will last you a lifetime. Invest now, and no longer scramble for a platter for your crostini!" Check out the slideshow above for selections from her site's new Provisions section, and get ready for guests.
1/9Don't be afraid to buy prepared and cured foods for the hors d'oeuvres—let all those talented artisans and chefs do some of the work! Olympic Provisions Favorite Sausage Collection, $30. José Andrés Galician Cockles, $29.
2/9Pre-dinner snacks deserve a simple, handsome plate. Oval Textured Tray, $64.
3/9I like to make a good cocktail for parties, and couldn't live without a snappy mixing glass and small-batch syrups. Regular Yarai Mixing Glass, $55. Liber & Co. Syrup & Shrub Collection, $39.
4/9You should always have a larger platter around for large snacks and family-style serving. Irezumi Serving Platter, $76.
5/9For a salad course, a generously sized mixing bowl is in order—we had this color ("fresh soil") made for Provisions. Hand-Dipped Beech Wood Bowl, $32–$62.
6/9Parties are a great excuse to upgrade your linens, which most of us need to do: natural linen goes with just about everything and always looks sharp. Iron your linens early in the week so you don't have to worry about them at the last minute. Heirloomed Linen Napkins (Set of 4), $34.
7/9I like these well-made yet utilitarian knives—they'll get you through any party. R. Murphy Reclaimed Pecan Carbon Steel Knives, $125–$249.
8/9For dessert, I like to make custards, which can be done ahead of time. It's great to have these little guys around. Pillivuyt Custard/Condiment Kettle (set of 4), $52.
9/9And I often make cakes, because many cakes improve with age, making them Friday dinner party secret weapons. A delicious cake recipe deserves the right tools, and a pedestal. Complete ATECO Cake Tools, $115. Pillivuyt Cake Stand, $69.
