Your Guide to the Ultimate Summer Dinner Party
Get the menus, playlist, and prep list for a perfect summer night with friends.
Some of you might not know that I started my career as an event planner. In many ways, it was my dream job (getting paid to throw parties!) but it’s a career path that can quickly lead to burnout. Working nights and weekends comes with the territory, and I had my fair share of unhinged clients. That said, I’m forever grateful for that season of my life—it gave me a crash course in hosting parties. It also led me to launch my lifestyle blog, CamilleStyles.com, back in 2009, which ultimately became my whole career.
When I go back and read press interviews with my 25-year-old self, I cringe at how often I used the phrase “perfect party.” I’d been called “the next Martha Stewart” just enough to get a little high on her approach—but the truth is, “perfection” isn’t really me. As I’ve grown more confident in my own point of view over the years, I’ve fully embraced the idea that hosting a great party has nothing to do with a five-course menu or a floor so clean you could eat off it.
Here’s the truth: people won’t remember the perfect tablescape or the multicourse menu. (Perfection is boring!!) What they will remember is the vibe—how welcomed they felt when they walked in the door, the great music, your signature chocolate chip cookies you casually pulled from the oven after dinner. The only two questions they’ll be asking the next day are: “Was it fun?” and “Did I feel connected?”
Of course, “effortless” still requires a little effort. We’ve all made the mistake of taking on too much, only to end up spending most of the party hidden away in the kitchen (hi, last year’s holiday party).
I have a feeling you might want to host something this summer.
A backyard cookout, a birthday dinner, drinks with the girls. Whatever it is, summer gatherings should feel carefree and fun, so it felt like the perfect time to share my tried-and-true hosting handbook with you.
My hope is that you’ll feel inspired to invite some friends over one night this summer. And that you’ll feel confident, knowing that you can plan a gathering that feels both effortless and truly fun.
Before we dive in, I have a favor to ask. We’re putting together a reader-curated list of THE books that define summer for the next issue of our EDIT magazine. Will you pop over here and tell us your favorite summer read? We’d love to feature you in the summer issue!
Let’s set the table.
I’ve always loved setting a table (it’s what inspired my brand, Casa Zuma.) But what I don’t love is fussy tablescapes that require you to buy or DIY a bunch of things. Instead, I keep a collection of earthy dinnerware, linen table throws and napkins, and sculptural vases that I reach for whether it’s a Tuesday night dinner or a Saturday night party.
Here are the essentials you’ll find on every table I set:
Sabre Flatware in either Ivory or Teak
Recycled Glass Carafe filled with water
For a centerpiece:
I lean into simple ideas I already have at home, can forage from the backyard, or grab from the grocery store:
A bundle of seasonal branches from the flower market (or pruned from the olive trees in our backyard)
A low bowl filled with citrus or stone fruit.
A few bunches of herbs placed in glass tumblers down the table.
Votive candles scattered around the center—the quickest, most affordable way to add ambiance.
I also love to place a sprig of herbs on top of each napkin, and if I’m feeling extra, handwritten place cards. I find it’s less stressful for guests when they know exactly where to sit.
Turn on a great playlist.
One of the most overlooked secrets to a great party is a great playlist. (If you’ve ever been in a restaurant with no music, you know what I mean.) I love a vibe that’s chill, happy, and doesn’t overpower conversation—search Spotify for Lo-Fi or laid-back House music.
We put together two of my favorite playlists for summer—follow for when you need a ready-to-go vibe for warm-weather nights:
My go-to menus for summer hosting
Thanks to the fact that I started my career in catering (plus countless dinner parties later), I’ve got a collection of main dishes to feed a crowd that checks all my boxes:
Crowd-pleasers that almost everyone loves
Leverage large-batch cooking like sheet pans or the grill
Can be mostly prepped ahead, so I can actually be at my own party
Below, I’m sharing two full menus — one built for the grill, the other easily prepped indoors.
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MENU 1: An Easy Grilled Feast
Spice-Rubbed Grilled Chicken Thighs
Juicy, flavorful, and almost impossible to overcook — plus they’re perfect for grilling in big batches.
The prettiest side dish that screams summer — and you can prep it entirely ahead of time.
Charred Sweet Potatoes with Dates
Savory, sweet, and people are always obsessed with these.
One-Bowl Salted Brownies (or pick up some brownies from a bakery!)
My signature dessert for entertaining. You can double or triple the batch and make them a full day in advance.
What to drink: Mezcal Palomas and sparkling waters with lime slices
MENU 2: Summer in Italy Inspired
Set it out as a family-style appetizer with crostini for serving.
Ratatouille-Style Roasted Vegetable Pasta
A vegetarian main that’s equally delicious warm or at room temperature.
Honestly, you’ll never eat a salad better than this one—the dressing is addictive.
Summer Fruit Salad with Crushed Meringue
Make it even easier by buying meringue cookies and crumbling them over the fruit.
What to drink: Chilled rosé and sparkling water with lemon slices
And…here’s your permission slip to take some shortcuts.
The goal is to be able to relax and hang out with your guests, so no matter how experienced a party thrower you are, it’s great to have a few hacks up your sleeve. If you’re short on time, don’t hesitate to take a “semi-homemade” approach.
Buy the main course from a fave spot (like a roast chicken from the deli, or bagels from your favorite bakery) and fill in with a couple of homemade sides or salads that can be made in advance. Focus on the experience, not making everything from scratch.
Conversation starters to keep in your back pocket
The real secret to a great party? Good conversation. Every single one of us has moments when we feel a little off our social game, so it helps to have a short list of conversation starters at the ready. Here are a few that never let me down, and always inspire engaging chats:
What was the highlight of your week?
Are you reading any good books right now?
Tried any fun new restaurants lately?
What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?
What are you working on right now?
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Good conversations start with intention. If we approach each interaction searching for connection, we’ll usually find it. In this space, the conversation naturally flows.
I’d love to hear how you feel about hosting this summer (excited, nervous, confident, all of the above?) Feel free to drop any questions in the comments below—let’s keep the convo going.
*photos by Michelle Nash