Tips For Hosting At Home
Grossi family celebrations have always been a big deal, from baptisms to birthdays.
The atmosphere is rarely formal but is a festival of family and friends getting together for a real feast. When I was young my mother always prepared more food than was needed for the guests she knew were coming, because once word got around there would always be a few extra mouths to feed.
My friends would often come around even uninvited if they knew Mamma was cooking, celebration or not. It is still like this today. Whenever we get together for big celebrations there are usually a few more ‘casual’ guests that come and go – but no one goes away hungry.
Like many Italian mothers, my mamma made sure that religion was a big part of our lives growing up, and we were all churchgoers as kids. We had the Catholic ‘guilt’ – she made sure of it. I think it was her way of making sure that we did not do anything bad. I guess it was effective to a certain extent. But one of the upsides of being raised Catholic is the many celebration days involved. And when traditional Italian Catholics celebrate, they go all out. Easter was always a huge deal, followed by Christmas, weddings, baptisms, communions, funerals – the list goes on.
The biggest celebration of the year for our family was, and still is, Easter time. On Good Friday we fast before attending mass in the afternoon. The smell of my mum’s calamari ragù, the baccalà roasting in the oven in a bath of rich tomato sauce alongside the trays of eggplant caramelising under their cheesy tops, has always been a sort of exquisite torture we all go through on Good Friday. Our mouths water all day and the rumbling tummies at mass are audible. But the excitement about the seafood feast awaiting our return home keeps us going.
Easter Sunday is different. Church is in the morning and then we return home. The challenge is to get the meal ready quickly enough. The menu usually consists of bowls of hand-rolled pasta nestled in the richest of sauces, meats roasted until tender with a multitude of vegetables, followed by sugar-dusted desserts and baked custards that are so easily consumed. Even on a full stomach. The young and the old in our family love the tradition that surrounds these religious festivities and we hold on to them as very precious.
We make a point of gathering as a family at least once a week in one way or another. Whether there are nine or forty of us, there always seems to be something to celebrate. It’s great to catch up, to talk and eat – it really is what makes life fun.
1. Feed More Than You Think You Need
An Italian table should feel abundant and while we may always have leftovers we like to make sure the table is full.
Put food in the centre of the table to share and allow guests to help themselves.
The worst thing that can happen at an Italian table is someone asking, “Is there any more?”
2. Don’t Overcomplicate the Menu
If the produce is good, you don’t need tricks. Just simple, homely recipes that your guests will love. Start with some antipasti then a simple pasta and roast meats. Dolci is a must but can be as easy as some biscotti or gelato.
3. Prep So You Can Sit Down
A true Italian host sits at the table. Choose dishes that can be finished in the oven, make desserts the day before, set the table early.
4. Always Offer Something Immediately
The moment someone walks in offer them a drink (even water with lemon), assaggini like olives, nuts, taralli, or bread with olive oil.
5. The Table Matters
It doesn’t have to be fancy — it has to feel considered.
Real plates and proper glasses, A simple tablecloth, some candles, bread on the table and water ready before someone asks
6. Pace the Meal
Italian meals unfold organically. Conversation is part of the meal. There’s no need to rush.
7. Wine Is Generous, Not Precious
Keep glasses topped up!
8. Dessert Is Not Optional
Even if it’s simple, torta caprese, ricotta with honey, strawberries with balsamic, Espresso and a small biscuit.
A sweet finish makes the evening feel complete.
9. Insist — But Gently
Italian hosts will always say:
“Have a little more.”
“Are you sure?”
“Just a taste.”
It’s affection.
10. It’s all about hospitality.
People remember how they felt, not what they ate.
If your guests leave feeling full, relaxed and slightly unwilling to go home — you’ve hosted like an Italian.