The demise of the dinner party, now we have dinner then party

I used to get along to a few dinner parties when I lived in London, but the notion really went out the window when I came to Sydney. Mind you that might be a local thing as no one sits down for more than half an hour to eat a meal, in the “places to go, things to do” town that is Sydney.

Even now though the formal British dinner party is fast becoming a thing of the past, as diners favour more relaxed meal get-togethers.

Researchers studying media portrayals from cookery books to footage of classic television chefs have identified key changes in behaviours and attitudes at dinner parties. There is a move away from the days of dressing up for dinner, laying the table with an arsenal of cutlery or waiting for the host to pour the wine – instead diners are increasingly favouring a more relaxed dress code, with guests serving themselves at the table.