Southern Style Dinner Party Tablescape & Menu

When it comes to entertaining there’s nothing more quintessentially “southern” than Blue Willow china (grandma’s of course), hydrangeas, fried chicken, and sweet tea! I designed this Southern style dinner party as an homage to tradition while making it feel modern and fun.

Every detail gives a nod to the South but you don’t have to live there to enjoy this dinner party menu.

Tablescape Ideas

For a themed dinner party it’s not only about the food; you also have to bring in the ambiance. Blue and white is classic-traditional and sets the scene.

If you have a set of blue and white dishes or Blue Willow pattern, use them on top of rattan chargers to set the table. A more modern print table cloth is the perfect base to the party table.

If you have family heirlooms like lace tablecloth, silver service pieces, or anything vintage, incorporate it into the table decor.

Place Settings

Cotton bolls add texture to the table setting. Place stems on each place setting and attach a place card to each.

Cornbread baked in mini skillets adds a whimsical and interesting twist to regular old pan-baked cornbread. Add a slice of fresh jalapeno on top of the batter before baking, to give them some heat and a cute garnish.

Vintage glasses are one of my favorite items to use on a tablescape. They add charm without looking old-fashioned.

Party Favors

Another Southern favorite is hot sauce. We use it for seasoning cooked greens, fried chicken, and add it to chili or spaghetti. I turned this classic condiment into party favors for guests.

To integrate the mini bottles seamlessly into the tablescape, I added my own hand-lettered labels.

Centerpiece

Keep the centerpiece simple with a vase of blue hydrangeas – almost every Southern garden has a bush planted. Add some greenery and candlesticks, and keep the rest of the table clear to hold food dishes to be served family-style.

Southern-Style Menu

Now that you have the scene all set, lets talk about the menu. Being raised in North Carolina by some of the best Southern cooks around (mom, grandmothers, aunts) it would be ridiculous for me to try to emulate their kitchen skills. Most cooked without actual recipes and let’s face it, food just doesn’t taste the same as it used to.

With that said, I do think you can create a modern version of Southern recipes.

Part of the tradition of southern meals is the 1 + 3 concept, or the “southern plate”. That simply means the meal consists of one entree (meat) and three side items. If you go to any homestyle restaurant, that “plate” will be on the menu!

Easy Recipes

These recipes are a great starting point for a family reunion or dinner party at home.

• Classic pimento cheese spread makes a great appetizer.
• You can make simple fried chicken or you can purchase it. My mom made it very simply with flour, salt and pepper, and cooked it in shortening. I’ve updated the recipe with cooking oil and the addition of paprika, below.
• Southern cooked greens (collards, kale, etc) – don’t forget a cruet of apple cider vinegar on the table to drizzle lightly over it.
• Southern-style pinto beans are seasoned perfectly and is fantastic with the cornbread.
• Skillet cornbread doesn’t have to be from scratch. I use Jiffy brand as my go-to choice for cornbread mix.
• Always include delicious deviled eggs. They’re a staple at a southern potluck.
• My classic potato salad is another winner with everyone, and it’s always on southern menus.
• Easy crockpot green beans are a terrific choice for another green vegetable.

PARTY TIP: Our family reunions take place once a year and it’s potluck style. There’s always several batches of homemade fried chicken from various aunts and cousins. But there’s also purchased buckets from a trusted source – KFC Original Recipe. Don’t be ashamed to phone it in!

Serve iced tea using your favorite recipe or purchased from the grocery store or favorite restaurant.

Cocktails

Sip on some southern cocktails with bourbon-based drinks. They’re great to have ready when guests arrive, and help to get the party started.

Serve a bourbon iced tea cocktail or a bourbon and lemonade cocktail as your signature drink. Or for a little fun activity, set up a bourbon bar and tasting.

For a real throwback to another time, make this modern blackberry moonshine cocktail to welcome guests. They will love it, and it’s not overly boozy.

Desserts

In the South, we love our pies! In fact I would choose pie for dessert over cake any time.

• I crave this family chess pie recipe when I want an old fashioned dessert. It’s so easy to make, too.
• Every southern gathering has at least one pecan pie on the dessert table, and this one is even more special as it’s made with Kahlua!
• Finally, these banana pudding mini desserts are traditional but are made in small cups for individual servings. You can make it in one large dish if you like, though.

What do you think? Are you ready to indulge in a taste of the south and host a Southern style dinner party?