Latest news with #dinnerparty
Wall Street Journal
an hour ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
Beyond Pinot Noir: The Oregon Wines You Need to Know About
Some years ago I was invited to a dinner party for Oregon natives in suburban New York. The Oregon-born host had erroneously assumed I was Oregonian, because, months earlier, I'd brought a bottle of Oregon Chardonnay to a dinner we'd both attended. It wasn't a totally outlandish conclusion; Oregon Chardonnay was still fairly obscure outside the Beaver State back then. Happily, such wines are much easier to find today along with Oregon whites like Pinot Gris, Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Pinot Noir has long been the state's signature grape. Accounting for 58% of Oregon's total grape production in 2024, it's still far and away the most planted grape, too, with 28,264 planted acres devoted to it. Far behind in second place, Pinot Gris accounts for just 6,483 acres under vine—though that number is nearly double what it was in 2014. Third-place grape Chardonnay is also gaining, at 3,482 acres as of 2024, more than twice what it was a decade prior. From Chenin Blanc to Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc, Albariño and Riesling, other white grapes, too, are redefining winemaking in Oregon.
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The top 10 things Brits lie about the most revealed including salary and sporting ability
A THIRD of Brits have admitted to lying about their personal life - by exaggerating their salary - sporting ability - and knowledge of current affairs. A study, of 2,000 adults, found 59 per cent of these have done so at a dinner party, while 38 per cent have exaggerated funny stories for full comic effect - with 66 per cent most likely to embellish to their friends and 44 per cent to colleagues. 3 And childhood tales aren't safe from a little creative rewriting at the table (27 per cent), according to the poll - with 13 per cent even inflating the facts to their in-laws. But the deception doesn't end at small talk - when it comes to hosting themselves, the study also found 14 per cent of all respondents would lie about how they prepared food. Additionally, 24 per cent of hosts have served food cooked in an air fryer but present it to others as having been cooked via another method. The research was commissioned by Bosch, which has teamed up with TV duo Harry Clark and Mollie Pearce, to help quash myths around the quality of air fryer food following the release of its new air fryer. The two reality stars invited sceptical members of the public into their studio kitchen to try two identical-looking dishes: one cooked traditionally, and one using the air fryer. Harry Clark said: 'It's funny to see how many people will lie at the dinner table to make themselves look good. 'But it's not just embellishing their tales to others –-clearly, some people feel the need to be a little deceptive when it comes to how they're preparing their food. 'I've got a decent nose for spotting when something's not quite what it seems - and food's no exception. 'When we watched people try to guess which dish was cooked in the air fryer, it was hilarious as most of them got it wrong." It also emerged 28 per cent of those who fib have been caught out telling a lie - with friends most likely to be the ones playing Sherlock (42 per cent). Britain's biggest train 'icks' are revealed in new study Despite bending the truth, 24 per cent worry others will find out the reality if they inflate their stories too much. However, when attending a dinner party, 19 per cent would be willing to lie and tell the host they enjoyed the food, even if they didn't. Just under half (45 per cent) of Brits don't trust their air fryer to cook their food as much as traditional cooking methods. However, 37 per cent have proudly shown off something made in an air fryer to their dinner party guests. A Bosch spokesperson said: 'When it comes to new cooking tech, people are divided - some are devoted fans of the air fryer, while others just don't trust it yet. 'That's why we created Air Fryer or Air Liar - to prove you don't need to fake it.' 3
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Wine lovers are rushing to score £80 off this personalised case - that's less than £6 a bottle (but hurry, this exclusive deal ends soon!)
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Whether you're hosting a dinner party, celebrating with family and friends or simply love the cupboard being stocked with really good wines, Naked Wines is here to take the hassle out of wine shopping. The best bit? Daily Mail shoppers can score a huge £80 off a personalised case of world-class wines with our discount code, helping you stock up on 12 excellent tipples for less than £6 a bottle. Simply use the code DAILYMAIL and receive a case of red, white or a mixture of the two for just £64.99 (usually £144.99). What could be better for entertaining for less? Whether you're a wine connoisseur or simply pick the bottle with the prettiest label, opting for an online retailer like Naked Wines is an easy way to ensure you've always got a tipple to enjoy – and could save you money, too. Cutting out the middlemen, Naked Wines gives customers access to incredible wines at up to 33 per cent less than typical retail prices - flipping the wine industry on its head and making finding world-class wines from independent winemakers more affordable (and easier!) than ever. 'Most delicious wine. I love all these perfect balanced flavours,' raved one impressed reviewer. .'They offer a great selection of wines and I am looking forward each day to discover something new for my taste buds. Highly recommend!' With our exclusive discount code, you'll have access to a whopping £80 off a case of 12 wines, with the option to personalise it to suit your tastes. Whether you prefer smooth reds and crisp whites, big reds and rich whites, or would rather have one or the other, your case will reflect your tastes to a tee, with bottles from Puglia, Bordeaux, Stellenbosch and so much more. Originally worth £144.99, you'll receive this tailored-to-you case of wine for just £64.99 with our code, bringing each bottle to under £6 each. With zero tie-ins and zero time limits, you shop how you want and when you want with Naked Wines, and if you don't love a wine, you can even get credits back to try something new. And for the true wine lovers? Naked Wine's Angel wine club allows you to pay into your wine account every month to help put towards your next wine purchase, allowing you to snap up a delicious wine using your balance when you're after that perfect tipple. Then you'll be free to enjoy up to 33 per cent off every bottle. And did we mention you'll get gifted a free bottle per month to say thank you for being an Angel member? And it's the good stuff, too – sometimes even a magnum. Better still, by putting money into your wine account each month, you're also directly supporting world-class winemakers – and getting their bottles for a fairer price while you're at it. It's a win-win. Ready to revolutionise your wine rack? Follow our link and use code DAILYMAIL to score a huge £80 off your personalised mixed case. Like the over 10,000 five-star reviewers, you're sure to love it. 'Customer of Naked Wines for number of years,' raved one happy Naked Wines member. 'Can get not only wine, but knowledge about wines, get to know winemakers. 'Find their team work highly professional. As customer always feel attention paid to me and I heard.' Another added: 'Worth every penny. Fantastic selection at reasonable prices and great service to boot! Lots of insight from the wine makers themselves as well, which makes the experience that much better. I've been an Angel for a year now and both my Christmas crates have been exceptional.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hosting tips we've learned from the royals
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If there's one thing the royals know how to do well, it's marking an occasion. From lavish gala dinners to ceremonies upholding centuries-old traditions, events attended by - as well as those organized by - the British Royal Family are usually an elaborate affair. With the Royal Family's lives very much in the public eye, we've managed to learn a few hosting tips along the way, from how to hold a teacup in public to, most recently, stylish presentation tips from Meghan Markle's Netflix documentary, With Love, Meghan. Here are hosting tips we've learned from the royals covering how to greet guests in a regal style at a dinner party, invitations, menus, and table manners. As well as some tips on how to elevate simple dishes and make welcome drinks feel personal and unique. In other words, everything you need to bear in mind while hosting a dinner party fit for royalty. During her hit Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, Meghan Markle (or Sussex, as she corrects one guest in the show) says one of the most important parts of hosting is to ensure guests have something to snack on as soon as they arrive. "Never let a guest arrive without something to feed them on the table," she advises viewers while explaining her love of crudités platters. Another of Meghan's clear priorities when she has guests round is to ensure she's seen to be on top of her housework, as well as her cooking skills. She says when awaiting an LA chef for dinner in an episode of With Love, Meghan, "I need to impress this man! Not just with my doughnuts - with my tidiness, with my kitchen savvy, my cleanliness." A quick cleaning session after each task makes cooking and baking a lot less of a messy job. Meghan explains in an episode of With Love, Meghan, "So, just as with cooking, I will always have like a garbage vessel. "Everything stays organised, clean as you go," Meghan explained. "Lili has made a song out of it," she said, before singing herself: "Clean as you go – clean, clean, clean, clean." Lady Elizabeth Anson, a royal party planner who has worked with the British Royal Family (and is a first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II and a niece of the late Queen Mother), told the New York Times, "Lady Elizabeth uses high-end e-vite service Paperless Post. But clarified that wherever possible, it's best to send a physical invite and put some time and effort into it, as cheap invites make people "imagine there's going to be acidic wine and miserable food". Windsor and royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams has previously revealed exactly how the royals drink their tea, according to reporting from Reader's Digest. "The royals love their tea time, so it's especially important that they hold their cups correctly," he explains. "You pinch the handle with your thumb and index finger, so they meet in the middle rather than looping through the handle. Every time you drink, you look into the cup to show control and make sure the tea doesn't go all over. Kate does this very well.' Fresh flowers will always instantly brighten up a dinner space. Meghan revealed in an episode of With Love, Meghan, "First thing I do is see what colour I gravitate to, and then everything goes from there. "Kind of think about it like an outfit, and once you pick the base look, you have to accessorise in a way that makes sense and matches." "The Duchess of Cambridge is known to be an excellent hostess," Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette, told Woman's Day. "She loves to cook, host, and is known to personally serve her guests. "While she may love to throw a party, Catherine also must be the perfect guest, as she attends many parties annually, personally and professionally, and spends long weekends with the royal family or Christmas lunch as a guest of the Queen at the Sandringham Estate." "If you have nine guests, you should serve a selection of at least three foods," explains Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette, when advising on royal hosting. "Include a vegetarian option, and make them small enough to eat in one bite. Serve with cocktail napkins and offer toothpicks for oily foods. (Nobody wants to shake hands with greasy fingers.)" Meghan's one-pot pasta dish had mixed reviews online after With Love, Meghan aired, but her guest and long-time friend, make-up artist Daniel, had only good things to say about this easy-to-prepare dish. "This is literally cosy," Daniel said in appreciation. Meghan explained to viewers how she often opts for a one-pot dinner to save on prep and washing up. This is something that Kate Middleton is thought to be extremely good at. "As the host, your job is to speak to and engage each of your guests, making sure everyone is happy, comfortable, and feels welcome," says Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette. One of Meghan's dinner party tricks was to personalise her margaritas according to her guests' likes and dislikes. In With Love, Meghan, she made a margarita base and then different syrups for each guest, including a spicy mix for those who like a little heat with their cocktail. Personalized labels also add a thoughtful touch. "When it comes to banquets, all the menus are traditionally written in French, even if they're describing English dishes; that's just the way it's done," Tom Parker Bowles told Harper's Bazaar. "Happily, the Queen speaks flawless French, and she has the most incredible memory, so she remembers what every single guest likes and doesn't like." Make sure you're clear on what you're serving guests and feeling organised before a dinner party, if you want to host like a royal. 'She's [Queen Elizabeth II] intricately involved in what's on each menu, which is important if you're hosting the president of France or Japan,' Tom Parker Bowles told Harper's Bazaar. In With Love, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, focuses on presentation a lot, using simple adjustments to make her dishes look more attractive. For example, on her crudité platter, she artfully arranges peas still in their pods, prompting her guest to say, "Why doesn't anyone ever present peas like this?!" There's no need to overcomplicate things. "A party with good table wine and good pasta or good sausages and mash can be just as much of a success as one with Krug, caviar, oysters and lobster,' party planner Lady Elizabeth told the New York Times. 'It's not about expensive ingredients. It's about people." "Typically, ' the Duchess Slant' is used when a lady has to sit for an extended amount of time while keeping poise and posture," says Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette. This is seen as a more elegant way to sit on a sofa or chair, perhaps during a drinks reception before dinner, and you'll notice it's a familiar posture for all the royal women. Holding a glass by its stem rather than the bottom will prevent heating the liquid, and you'll often see the royals adhering to this rule. When serving, remember that wine should typically be poured only to just below the widest part of the glass, according to traditional rules of etiquette. Another thing we learned from With Love, Meghan is that the Duchess really likes edible flowers - she sprinkles them everywhere. While the merits of doing so on one's own breakfast may be more questionable, when it comes to a finishing touch for a dessert on a fruity cocktail, they look stylish and sweet, particularly in the summer months. Dehydrated fruits were also popular with the Duchess during the first season of With Love, Meghan. This timeless garnish will instantly elevate a drink and can be easily made at home using an air fryer or by slowly heating slices in the oven on a low setting. Try lemon, lime, grapefruit or orange, depending on the notes in the cocktail. This is a big one for the Royal Family - they're always extremely discreet. When royals need to use the restroom, they won't announce the details and instead will excuse themselves quietly. 'When they get up, they cross their knife and fork so waitstaff know they'll continue to eat when they come back,' royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams explains regarding how the royals break away from the table at a dinner event. Windsor and royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams advises a modest dress code if you want to make like a royal at a dinner party. "The outfit has to be modest, elegant, and appropriate for the occasion, and it should never distract from the royal's role or risk causing a scandal or public debate,' he told Reader's Digest. A firm, assertive handshake is typical among members of the Royal Family. 'The handshake should be firm. The thumb goes up, the fingers [go] together, shake for two pumps," advises royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams when it comes to greeting guests. Another fun presentation hack picked up from With Love, Meghan, is creating signature ice cubes with flowers or fruit. However, she advises against using tap water. "I've made this mistake. Do not just use tap water," she said. "Otherwise, the ice cubes just come out a little cloudy, and you want to see the flower." A royal bathroom will be well thought out, but it won't have candles or reed diffusers, Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette, explains. "The Duchess [Catherine] will also probably have lightly scented soap and paired hand cream. Many upper-class British homes prefer bar soap to liquid, so the Duchess may use that in her private quarters." Food writer and critic (and the Duchess of Cornwall's son!) Tom Parker Bowles previously told Harper's Bazaar, "Everything I've learnt about the Queen's preferences is from Mark Flanagan, the personal chef to the Queen. She likes seasonal ingredients - asparagus, lamb - and food from the estate, such as grouse or venison from Balmoral. 'She'll have pheasants from Sandringham (in season from October to February), and she even has her own cheese made using milk from the cows at the royal dairy in Windsor.' A cake makes a beautiful centre piece if having guests over for a special occasion, and according to Meghan Markle in With Love, Meghan, a naked cake is best. While baking in the Netflix show, she said about the cake she's made: "There's something really satisfying about a cake that is bare on the outside but she is so beautiful on the inside and you just don't know how good she is until you go deep and you get to know her better." Duchess Meghan loves a fruit or veggie platter. "We have a veggie platter, crudites, every day in our house,' she said in the Netflix show, With Love, Meghan. "Even for our kids, I think what's been so nice and why they love eating vegetables is because it looks colourful and fun." Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dexter: Resurrection's Michael C. Hall and Krysten Ritter Detail Killer Dinner Party, Dexter and Mia's Instant Connection — Watch
Who would've thought that Dexter Morgan could be a social butterfly? In Episode 4 of Dexter: Resurrection, Dexter infiltrates a luxurious dinner party while under cover as Ronald 'Red' Schmidt, aka the Dark Passenger. After being picked up by Uma Thurman's Charley, he arrives at the beautiful estate of Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage), a man who's obsessed with serial killers, so much so that he collects their trophies and keeps them in his museum-like corridor. Prater has pieces like John Wayne Gacy's clown costume, Jeffrey Dahmer's bloody fridge, Charles Manson's guitar, and even more notably, the Trinity Killer's hammer and the Bay Harbor Butcher's blood slides. More from TVLine And Just Like That EPs Tell All About That Taylor Swift Needle Drop, Why It Was Perfect for Carrie's Big Moment And Just Like That EPs Admit to Hesitating Over Carrie and Aidan's Big Decision: 'Are We Making a Mistake?' Washington Black's Sterling K. Brown and Ernest Kingsley Junior Revel in the 'Brotherhood and Mentorship' Hulu's Historical Drama Gave Them Shortly after, Dexter is introduced to four other killers just like him. There's Mia/Lady Vengeance (Krysten Ritter); Lowell/The Tattoo Collector (Neil Patrick Harris); Al/Rapunzel (Eric Stonestreet); and Gareth/The Gemini Killer (David Dastmalchian). That's a lot of killers all in one place! 'It's unbelievable,' Michael C. Hall tells TVLine in the video above, referencing the eye-opening soirée Dexter attends. 'As an actor, I felt like, 'What just happened? Did Dexter get transported into some twisted serial killer superhero movie?' But I think that's how he's feeling too… We've set the show in an environment where that kind of thing feels almost plausible. That someone [like Prater] with that sort of fetishistic, crazy mindset and unlimited funds might try to pull something like that off.' While each of the killers in attendance is intriguing in his or her own way, Dexter is drawn to Lady Vengeance, a woman who hunts down sexual predators. Dexter immediately wonders whether she has a code of her own. A code that is, perhaps, just like his. 'She's very intrigued by him,' says Ritter about Mia's instant connection to Dexter. 'She's incredulous of all of the serial killers and she wants to know more. I think she finds him attractive and that's the first way in. And Dexter thinks that she has a code, [so] they kind of hit it off.' During dinner, Lowell makes known his plans for his next victim, a woman who's getting a tattoo of a French bulldog. So while there does seem to be some sort of future for Dexter and Mia, Lowell has another thing coming. Dexter drugs the guy just as Lowell's about to take down his vic. Dex then drags him to a local tattoo parlor and straps him to a table with his signature plastic wrap. And just before he stabs Lowell in the chest to watch him bleed out, he reveals his true identity. 'I'm Dexter Morgan. The Bay Harbor Butcher.' Lowell's eyes go wide because he knows exactly what that means. His killing days are done. One down, three to go? Watch our full interview with Hall, Ritter, Stonestreet and Dastmalchian by pressing PLAY on the video above. Then, hit the comments section to let us know what you thought of Episode 4. Best of TVLine Yellowjackets' Tawny Cypress Talks Episode 4's Tai/Van Reunion: 'We're All Worried About Taissa' Vampire Diaries Turns 10: How Real-Life Plot Twists Shaped Everything From the Love Triangle to the Final Death Vampire Diaries' Biggest Twists Revisited (and Explained)
