If you're passionate about combining food with friends and family, you know the value of a good workhouse platter that can multitask on-the-quick and always look good doing it. After much research, hosting experience, and deliberation, I feel confident recommending a Le Creuset large oval platter as the best all-around serving dish you buy.
If you know and love your way around a kitchen, chances are you already have (or are coveting) something made by Le Creuset. The nearly 100-year-old French manufacturer of cookware and serveware is most famous for its range of brightly colored enameled cast iron pieces. For me, the iconic flame orange Dutch oven was the gateway drug, and I loved it so much I now have a pretty good collection of bakeware to match.
Even though the rest of my set is the brand's signature orange, and the entire Le Creuset catalog is available in eight colors, I still recommend plain white as the best all-around serving dish to own. Not only does white complement every tablescape and occasion, its understatedness also lets your beautiful food be the star of the show.
In terms of versatility, I can't think of a more functional and elegant option all-around serving option than this timeless and understated platter. It looks as compelling at the center of your table holding a Christmas ham as it does serving up your latest gastronomy invention. It's also simple and minimalist enough to look perfect serving up hot dogs on a picnic table.
Its durable enamel glaze is sturdy and resistant to chips, and is safe for use in the dishwasher, microwave, and even the oven (up to 500F degrees). It's certainly not the cheapest platter you could buy, but at $80 it's still quite reasonable, especially since this piece is destined to become an heirloom.
Pros: Versatile, well-crafted, oven and dishwasher safe
Cons: None, really, except it's not the cheapest option out there
Buy the Le Creuset large oval platter at Williams Sonoma for $64I feel like chip n' dips are an under-celebrated, under-utilized party hosting tool. Do you remember the "Mad Men" episode where Pete Campbell tried to return a duplicate chip n' dip wedding gift to the department store without a receipt? I bring it up because, first of all, that was an amazing episode, and secondly, 2000's culture gleaned so many fun 1960s hosting practices from that show and brought them back into style. So now I'm calling for the return of the chip n' dip!
Personally, I recommend the Michelangelo Chip & Dip Platter that's available on Wayfair for less than $25 bucks. It's made of thick clear glass that's resistant to chipping, and obviously goes with any décor since it's so simple.
As one Wayfair reviewer puts it, this dish is both "elegant and practical." I also appreciate that its see-through style showcases your food combo beautifully. That may not sound so important if you're just serving corn chips and salsa, but if you're putting out something like fresh crudité with yogurt dip, for instance, showcasing your food's color starts to sound like a good idea.
This chip n' dip comes in two parts with a detachable dip bowl for easy cleanup, which surprisingly is harder to find than a one-piece model. It's also dishwasher safe, which is a blessing to tired hosts. It's not the largest chip n' dip platter I've ever seen, with a diameter of just under a foot, but unless you're serving a large crowd, you should have ample space. It's also easy to refill mid-party, of course.
Pros: Easy-to-clean and simple at a great price
Cons: On the smaller side, so functions best for a small crowd
Buy the Michelangelo Chip & Dip Platter on Wayfair for $24.99I always serve a cheese, charcuterie, or tapas board at any gathering I host. They require little to no cooking, very easy prep, and especially when complementing other dishes, can fill up a crowd easily.
Sure, you can just throw some crackers, brie, and slices of prosciutto on any old kitchen cutting board, but using a specially purposed serving tray like this cheese board and knife set from MaxMoxie.
Ever since I watched "The Barefoot Contessa" segment about how to set up the perfect cheese tray, I've been paying particular attention to the way my appetizer trays are styled. To that end, I love that this board comes with cracker and bread troughs to help keep things organized. There are also two indentations that fit the two accompanying ceramic bowls intended for dips or small snacks like olives or nuts.
Moving right along with this board's litany of amusing extras, pulling a small, removable drawer reveals four bamboo and stainless steel cutting and spreading utensils, as well as two slate stick-in markers with chalk makers so you can label your snack varieties.
Its 100% bamboo material makes this cheese board set beautiful, sustainable, and naturally antimicrobial. There are really very few cons to this product, but I would warn that the MaxMoxie logo in the bottom right corner detracts a bit from overall beauty. Still, you could just cover it with a particularly large hunk of gouda.
Pros: Elegant design, sustainable materials, makes a great gift
Cons: Visible logo, hand-wash only
Buy the MaxMoxie cheese board and knife set on Amazon for $39.99At your next cocktail party, do yourself a favor and take this hosting shortcut. Setting up a feature punch bowl is one of my favorite ways to class-up a party, while also simplifying prep and keeping costs down. You can mix up a batch of your favorite colorful non-alcoholic beverage and serve it next to a DIY liquor bar, or you can add the spirits right along with your fruity mixers, and serve up your favorite signature cocktail.
Since most punches, from creamy eggnog and cinnamon, to traditional red rum punch, happen to be gorgeous, this highly-rated large, clear glass punch bowl from Crate and Barrel can help you mix beauty and function on your drinks table.
The round fishbowl shape and matching glasses are simple yet chic, and go with absolutely any décor theme. Plus, at a three-gallon capacity, this punchbowl is plenty large enough to serve a crowd. But if you want to go for that spare, elegant style, it looks great when filled just halfway.
The deep ladle is the perfect shape to help guests dole out large portions without spilling. However, the ladle is acrylic, and not glass. This is, of course, to prevent breakage against the glass bowl and cups, but might not be aesthetically ideal for you.
The eight glasses are fantastically versatile for serving anything from juice to working as stemless wine glasses or whiskey tumblers.
Pros: Chic, versatile, inexpensive for a 10-piece set
Cons: The ladle is plastic, and the bowl is hand wash only
Buy the 10-Piece Punch Bowl Set from Crate and Barrel for $49.95Chances are, if you're thinking of using a highly specialized piece of serving ware like a soup tureen, then you're pretty aware of the details that go into a traditional, buttoned-up style of dinner party hosting. Basically, if your serving game calls for a soup tureen, then you're probably looking for something with classic beauty, and we've got you covered.
This porcelain tureen comes from Lenox, which is one of the major longstanding china companies in the US. The careful, botanical carvings in this classic porcelain tureen say dignified beauty, and the included lid, ladle, and easy-to-grip handles scream functionality.
As one reviewer on Amazon puts it, "Holds heat well on its own when I have soup or mashed potatoes." Plus, its capacity is a little over a gallon, so you can feed a hungry, soup-loving crowd if need be.
Lenox also sells a matching set of serving dishes, so if you want all of your serving dishes to go together, this is a good set to invest in.
Pros: Classic beauty, available as a matching china set
Cons: Porcelain isn't as sturdy as some material alternatives, and it's a little on the pricier side
Buy the Lenox Serveware, Opal Innocence Carved Covered Soup Tureen with Ladle on Amazon for $143High-quality dinnerware sets are resistant to scratching and chipping, can go in the dishwasher and microwave, and are appealing to the eye.
While researching the best dinnerware, we pored through hundreds of expert and buyer reviews and ratings of countless sets. Our guide features sets that have a history of durability, are excellent for everyday use, and have a timeless look.
Here are our picks for the best dinnerware sets you can buy:
- Best dinnerware set overall: Gibson Home Casa Stella Dinnerware Set
- Best all-white dinnerware set: Nevaeh White by Fitz and Floyd Rim Dinnerware
- Best vitrified ceramic dinnerware set: Fiesta Dinnerware Place Setting
- Best heavy-duty dinnerware set: Brasserie All-White Dinnerware Place Settings
- Best affordable dinnerware set: AmazonBasics Dinnerware Set
High-quality flatware is appealing to the eye, durable, requires minimal maintenance, and makes eating enjoyable.
While researching the best silverware, we examined hundreds of buyer and expert reviews and ratings of dozens of sets. The flatware sets included in our guide are easy to clean, made of long-lasting materials, have a fashionable look, and feel comfortable in your hands.
Here are our picks for the best flatware sets you can buy:
- Best flatware overall: Villeroy & Boch New Wave Flatware
- Best affordable flatware: Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set
- Best high-end flatware: Aero Flatware Place Setting
- Best simple flatware: 20-Piece Pattern 127 Flatware Set
- Best traditional flatware: Oneida Louisiana Flatware Set
The size, shape, construction, and style of a wine glass can dramatically alter how the wine will taste.
We've selected wine glasses that will work with any wine you choose — red or white— as well as specialty glasses for both red and white wines.
Here are the best wine glasses you can buy:
- Best wine glasses overall: Libbey 4 Piece Signature Kentfield Grande Wine Set
- Best for white wine: Riedel Vivant 4 Piece White Wine Glass Set
- Best for red wine: 2 Piece Riedel Veritas Cabernet/Merlot Glass Set
- Best stemless glasses: 4 Piece Royal Stemless Wine Glass Set
