We asked the nation, what their perfect dinner party would be, and here’s what we found out…
A nationwide study found that over a quarter of UK adults (26%) would choose broadcaster and natural historian, David Attenborough, as their all-time legendary dinner party guest.
Other past and present famous faces who people would love at their dinner table include rock legend Freddie Mercury (18%), Stephen Fry (18%) and – in true British style – Her Majesty the Queen (15%). Sir Winston Churchill (15%) and much-loved TV duo Ant & Dec (15%) also topped the guestlist.
The Ritz gets top billing as the venue for 22 percent of the British public who are looking for a five-star luxury experience, followed by ‘on the beach’ and top of The Shard (15%). Yet the old saying ‘home is where the heart is’ still rings true for many, with 15 percent of people choosing their own home as their dream destination.
And when it comes to what’s on our menu, it’s clear we still love the classics. More than a quarter of people (27%) would opt for a traditional roast dinner for their main course, and 23% would choose good old pub favourite, steak and chips. Lobster Thermidor (17%) and Salmon en Croute (15%) are the catch of the day for Britain’s seafood fans – all served with Champagne.
For dessert, it’s a near tie between sweet and savoury. Cheesecake, a timeless favourite for over a quarter of Brits (28%) closely followed by a fuss-free cheese board.
For an extra spoonful of wonderful? Cornish Clotted Cream is a favourite topping to serve alongside a dessert course for 41 percent of people.
In a throwback to the past, 22 percent of people would feature British rock band Queen on their dinner party playlist.
And in a nod to convention, the best day to host a dinner party is officially Saturday night according to half of dinner party hosts, with 24 percent agreeing that festivities should start at 7.00pm sharp.
Commenting on the results, Rodda’s managing director Nick Rodda said: “With the year that we’ve all experienced, people have turned to nostalgia, tradition and the things they love to bring them comfort. It’s heart-warming, and not surprising, to hear that the things people have missed most about hosting or attending dinner parties over the past year is spending time with friends and family and having ’interesting conversations’. That’s what food does: it brings people together for an extra special moment.
“My personal legendary dinner party would be: an evening with my great great Grandmother, Eliza Jane Rodda, overlooking the rugged north coast and tranquil turquoise sea at St Agnes Head. We’d have a Cornish crab salad as our main course and fresh strawberries and raspberries for dessert, topped with Cornish Clotted Cream of course!”
