Essential Hosting Tips From The Guests of Our Table 2019

At Our Table 2019, we invited friends from all over the world to the home of Jacob’s Creek to share good food, company and, of course, wine. Thanks to their backgrounds in food, fashion and lifestyle, our guests are all well-versed in the art of hosting, so we asked them to share their most valuable hosting tips to help you elevate your next get-together.

What's your number one hosting tip?

Make people feel very comfortable. Make jokes, make people eat, give them something to drink.
 

How often do you host a social event at your home?  

I work that much that I don’t really have the time, but I love to spend time with my closest friends and with my family. I love when they come over to my place. I like to serve cheese, wine and also our local drink, Rakija.

What's your favourite wine to serve on special occasions?

My number one favourite is always white wine. I would go with chardonnay or something a little bit sweeter. Something like a Pinot Grigio.

How often do you host a social event at your home?  

Probably once every season. I love having friends around and throwing dinner parties.
 

What's your number one hosting tip?

One thing I like to do is to find out what kind of music all of my friends like, and put that on a playlist so that they feel welcome when they come.
 

What's your favourite wine to serve on special occasions?

I think it’s important to think about what type of food you’re having with the meal. It’s nice to start with something lighter and move onto a red; and I like to finish with something sweet, too.
 

Click here to see Sonya’s baked ricotta cheesecake with Jacob’s Creek figs recipe from Our Table 2019.

What's your number one hosting tip?

Be prepared.  Do as much as you can ahead of time.  So you’re not rushing around at the last minute.  And it’s about having a good time yourself.
 

What's your favourite wine to serve on special occasions?

It depends on the food we are eating and I do like to match wines to courses but I think a glass of sparkling to welcome people always gets them in the mood.

What's your number one hosting tip?

Siddhi: The first step is to make them feel as comfortable as we could.  

Varun: And get a bottle of wine.  

Siddhi: Of course. To break the ice.
 

What's your favourite wine to serve on special occasions?

Varun: So for me, definitely the Double Barrel.  I’m pretty sure my friends are going to be super impressed when I introduce a wine which is whiskey infused. They’re going to go crazy.

Siddhi: For me, it has to be white wine. Something very smooth and light. It has to be a classic chardonnay sort of a setup.