Whenever I throw dinner parties I like to establish a theme. Creating a vibe helps define the details of your gathering. This can be something simple like chocolate and cosmos or spicy tacos and margaritas – or more involved, such as a seven-course wine tasting dinner. A loose theme makes it easier to focus on the big decisions: the food, the drinks, the music and the decor.

One theme that always makes for a fun fête: The French Dinner Party. For a recent dinner with Electrolux, I channeled my inner Parisian and threw the Frenchy soiree of my dreams. We’re talking fresh warm baguettes, Beaujolais, Coq au vin and small hints of French decor details such as striped linen napkins and worn in sterling silverware. Here’s how to throw your own:

Setting the table with:
French dinner parties can go all sorts of directions but for this party we wanted to do something simple and clean yet warm so we used:

1. Linen table runners
2. Simple dishes
3. Vintage sterling silver flatware
4. French linen napkins slipped into wood napkin rings and topped with lavender
5. Beaujolais glasses, water glasses and carafes of wine and water
6. Three simple vases filled with flowers down the center of the table
7. With additional flower, tear off buds and line down the center of the table to create a runner
8. Place two tall candle sticks in between vases
9. Toss sheepskin throws to the backs of chairs
10. Add baguettes as decor for the final touch

Preparing the feast: 
To start, a plentiful board of cheese and charcuterie makes for a lovely grazing nosh. Simply add a variety of meats, cheeses and crackers to a wood or marble board and serve with artisanal mustards, cornichons, nuts and whatever else you may fancy.  For the main dish we opted for something very French and very traditional: Coq au vin. Served with green beans and Beaujolais it made for a lovely fall meal and with the Electrolux Range you can keep the dish at the perfect serving temperature just until you want to serve dinner with the ‘keep warm’ setting. To learn how to make this watch the LEAF x Electrolux video here.

Bon appetit!