The One-Hour Hosting Menu

A welcome of olives, nuts, bread or a good dip; a centre of pasta, tray bake, soup or tart; a fresh side of leaves, tomatoes, cucumber or fruit; a dessert of purchased cake, ice cream or an alternative, fruit or cookies; and drinks of water and one additional option.

This four-part structure is the same shape as the everyday menu formula, scaled down to what one hour can genuinely deliver.

A seasonal pasta supper pairs olives and almonds with pasta in tomato, herbs and beans, a green salad with lemon dressing, and good vanilla ice cream or an alternative with seasonal compote. A tray-bake supper pairs bread and purchased hummus with seasonal vegetables, chickpeas and a simple herb sauce, a cucumber or bitter-leaf salad, and purchased cake served with fresh fruit. A soup and table supper pairs nuts and sparkling water with a high-quality prepared soup improved with herbs, beans or grains where appropriate, bread and a simple salad, and cookies and coffee.

Choose whichever option best matches what is already in the kitchen.

Preheat the oven or begin boiling water, clear the main work surface, put drinks in the refrigerator, set out ingredients, and check serving dishes.

Begin the central dish, prepare vegetables, mix the dressing or sauce, and place welcome food in bowls.

Finish or place the central dish in the oven, prepare the fresh side, set the table, and place water ready.

Clear preparation dishes, wipe the work surface, transfer dessert to a serving plate where appropriate, and check lighting and seating.

Finish the main dish, taste and season, place food in serving dishes, and change clothes or pause for several minutes. Do not add another recipe.

Useful purchased elements include bread, olives, dip, soup, dessert, a prepared tart, salad leaves, or a good sauce.

Purchased food becomes part of a considered menu through selection, serving, pairing, temperature and fresh finishing ingredients. There is no need to apologise for it.

Make one element personal - a homemade dressing, a fresh herb finish, a seasonal compote, warm bread, or a favourite cake.

The meal will still feel individual without every component being homemade.