Dinner Party The Lucy and Michael Every month asks a reader to invite some friends
to their home for the evening so we can see behind the scenes at their dinner party
On the table Lucy likes to plan in advance what her dinner-party tables will look like, but she prefers an informal feel. She chose her favourite John Lewis tablecloth with clashing gerberas in bright metal pots from Longacres Nursery in Bagshot. The very pretty tea-light holders are actually homemade. Lucy explains: ‘I got the idea from a magazine. They are made from empty jam jars. I borrowed some of Anna’s plastic bracelets and slipped them over the jars.’ The placemats are classic wooden boards, which Lucy chose because they won’t date and can fi t in with whichever table linen she uses.
On the menu Starter • Michael’s home-cured gravlax, which was marinated for three days in dill and brandy and served with sweet mustard and dill sauce and Lucy’s rosemary fl atbreads.
Main course • Beef wellington made with meat from CH Wakeling butchers in Godalming, encased in mushrooms, Serrano ham, English mustard and ready-rolled puff pastry. Served with griddled asparagus, boiled new potatoes and baby-carrot mash.
28 JULY 2011
Pudding • Summer fruit crumble with Surrey strawberries, Berkshire raspberries and Kentish bramley apples fi nished with Anna’s oaty topping. Served with crème fraiche and Lucy’s homemade custard.
Cheese • A selection of British and French cheeses.
Michael and Lucy and Lindsay and Al take it in turns to host dinner parties and the stakes are high. They write what they have eaten in a book with comments and pass it between them, depending on who is cooking next. Michael says: ‘Lindsay and I are
Michael’s Tip
Make one of the courses, like the starter, in advance to save time on the evening
really competitive. We will try and outdo each other in terms of how complicated our dishes are and how well they are cooked. It’s friendly and we encourage each other, but we both like to try out new techniques. ‘Lucy and I have lots of cookbooks and I enjoy sitting down and planning menus. It’s a hobby that I can share with the whole family as well as my friends.’ Lucy did most of the party shopping and preparation. ‘I love baking and quick, comfort food,’
Lucy’s Tip
It’s worth making real custard and far easier than you think
The hosts Lucy Cavey, 35, a teacher, has been married to Michael, 40, a service manager, for eight years. They live in Windlesham with their children, Anna, seven, and six-year-old Harry. They entertain often and are keen to challenge themselves.
On the guest list Andrea Burke, 32, an HR advisor, is married to Lucy’s brother David, a credit manager. They were wed six years ago and live in Frimley with their daughters Lauren, fi ve, and 22-month-old Elise.
Andrea and David
Lindsay and Al
Lindsay Vetch, 39, who works in PR, and her management consultant husband Al,
42, have been
married for 11 years. The couple live in Camberley with their two children, Phoebe, seven, and Rufus, fi ve. Lindsay and Lucy met at a local toddler group.
PHOTOGRAPHS: Martin and Jess Reftal Evans
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