Summer Soirées
Curating the Perfect Summer Dinner Party
Summer is my favorite season to entertain. The longer days, golden light, and abundance of fresh ingredients set the perfect stage for unforgettable gatherings. But a fabulous dinner party is never just about the food or the setting—it’s about intention.
When every element—from the table setting to the menu to how guests feel—is considered, you create more than a dinner. You create a memory.
I approach cooking the way I approach entertaining—as an art form, guided by instinct, creativity, and a love for beautiful detail. My background in design, luxury, and retail has given me a deep appreciation for the details that elevate an experience. I see the table as a canvas and the evening as a chance to curate joy.
HOSPITALITY + SETTING
Where Hospitality Becomes Art
Entertaining, at its core, is the art of hospitality. It’s not about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s how you welcome people in and make them feel seen, cared for, and indulged.
A handwritten place card, the soft glow of candlelight, or the sound of water spilling nearby—these are the touches that create emotional resonance. That’s where the magic lives.
Set the Stage—With Style and Soul
The setting matters. It’s about creating atmosphere that feels transportive and intentional.
For a recent gathering, I styled the table with:
- Woven rattan chargers shaped like oversized blossoms—organic, sculptural, and unexpected
- Crisp white dinnerware layered on deep green placemats—a nod to nature’s palette
- Lemon-printed napkins gathered in lemon leaf-accented napkin rings—a playful citrus detail echoed in the evening’s menu
- Chocolate brown etched vases filled with yellow calla lilies and tulips—bold, joyful, and just a little wild, as summer should be
MENU + ESSENTIALS
Let the Food Reflect the Season
Summer entertaining isn’t about fuss. Guests want freshness, flavor, and beauty on the plate—not complication. The key is using seasonal ingredients and letting them shine.
On the menu:
- Stuffed Figs Green and purple figs, gently split and filled with Gorgonzola Dolce, prosciutto, pistachios, and herbs. A perfect bite of salty, sweet, tender, and crisp.
- Heirloom Tomato, Corn, Peach & Burrata Salad A vibrant mosaic of summer: juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, ripe peaches, peppery arugula, and creamy burrata. Finished with balsamic and cracked pepper.
- Grilled Lemon Chicken Flame-kissed, citrus-forward, served with charred lemons and caramelized onions. A crowd-pleaser that ties back to the lemon motif on the table.
Additional Recipes Available: https://soffiawardyrecipes.com/
My Essentials for a Beautiful Gathering
✔ Edit and elevate: a few beautiful elements done well
✔ Think in layers: linens, flowers, lighting, scent
✔ Be seasonal: let nature lead
✔ Add a signature: color, dish, or story
✔ Make it a gift: beauty wrapped in care
Because when it’s done right, a summer dinner party is never just a meal. It’s a moment. A memory. A joyfully curated experience, shared with intention.
For more tabletop inspiration and styling ideas, visit my style blog at
SoffiaWardy.com/blog/style, and explore a curated collection of luxury tabletop pieces
available for purchase at AmenWardy.com.
