Nat
154 HOMEBEAUTIFUL.COM.AU I MAY 2020
THE EDITGOURMET FINDS AND KITCHEN
ESSENTIALS TO DELIGHT ALL FOODIES
Edited by HARRIET SIM & KAYLA WRATTENTASTE TEST
IN THE KNOW:
TEAS & C’S
Slow Sunday afternoons are
best enjoyed curled up with
a good book and a teacup
in hand – preferably one from
Maxwell & William’s new
Teas & C’s Kasbah range.
Inspired by Moroccan and
Turkish tile designs, the cups,
pots, cake stands and more
sport vibrant designs. Kasbah
footed cup & saucer, $19.95,
maxwellandwilliams.com.au.picnic picks
MAKE THE MOST OF THE OUTDOORS
WITH A BOTTLE OF YOUR FAVOURITE
DROP AND A COMPLEMENTARY
SPREAD. WANT TO UP THE LUXE
FACTOR? INVEST IN A WHIMSICAL
PICNIC BASKET TO TRANSPORT
YOUR WINE AND SNACKS, SUCH AS
THIS BASKET WITH CHEESE BOARD
LID, $199, THEBEACHPEOPLE.COM.AU.HANGOVER-FREE DRINKS
For a party minus the hangover, try a delicious alcohol-free distilled
botanical spirit. These beautiful blends of natural distillates make
great alternatives to your usual alcoholic tipple. We’ll drink to that!AWARD-WINNING
FOOD JOURNALIST,
RESTAURANT CRITIC
AND TELEVISION
PERSONALITY MATT
PRESTON SITS DOWN
WITH HB FOR A
LESSON IN DINNER
PARTY ETIQUETTEWhat is the secret to throwing a great dinner party?
The people! As a host, your aim should be to spoil your guests – introduce
common links between those who don’t know each other well and try and
prepare as much of the meal as you can in advance so you can spend plenty
of time with them. My mum always said if you are sitting next to someone
at a dinner party, you should leave knowing more about them than they
know about you. Having a good playlist is important; I like the idea of
everyone sharing the phone and picking their own tunes.
Who are your dream dinner party guests?
Lizzo (singer), Meghan and Harry (members of the royal family), Sam
Pang (comedian), Adam Gilchrist (cricketer), Melissa Doyle (television
presenter) and Fifi Box (radio presenter).
What’s your biggest dinner party disaster?
I once had friends round and thought it would be funny to dye mash
potato blue, and the baked beans extra red. That was pretty bad, but
I think sometimes the best memories are made from the biggest disasters
and you just make it work – say you made a dodgy creme brulee from
a recipe you read online, well now it’s a custard.
What’s your best advice for minimising dinner party angst?
It can be overwhelming cooking and hosting friends and family, especially
when you are trying to make a good impression. Minimise the stress by
planning ahead and try not to leave anything to the last minute. This is the
aim with the Tanqueray x Marley Spoon collaboration I’ve been part of. It’s
designed to make dinner parties a breeze with pre-portioned ingredients and
step-by-step recipes, leaving the entertainment and enjoyment up to you.Shop Matt’s curated Tanqueray x Marley Spoon Ultimate Dinner Party Box
range, from $269 (for six people), at marleyspoon.com.au/specials/tanqueray
until 26 April, with deliveries available between April 6 and May 3.5
M
I
NU
T
E
S
W
I
T
H
:^
M
A
T
T
P
R
E
S
T
O
N
- ALTD, from $64,
altdspirits.com. - Cedars, from
$49.99,
ceders-alt-gin.com. - Seedlip,
from $49.99,
seedlipdrinks.com.