Ina Garten Shares Genius Dinner Party Trick Learned in Paris

The Barefoot Contessa reveals the three-part structure that makes for a lively and memorable evening.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 7:07pm

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In a recent talk, celebrity chef Ina Garten shared a clever dinner party trick she and her husband Jeffrey learned from a friend in Paris. Garten explained that the key to a great dinner party is structuring it in three distinct parts: cocktails in the living room, dinner in the dining room, and then moving to the library afterwards for digestifs and desserts. Garten said this final step helps the evening continue on in a more relaxed and intimate setting.

Why it matters

Garten's three-part dinner party structure provides a blueprint for hosts looking to create a memorable and engaging social experience for their guests. By incorporating a post-dinner transition, hosts can encourage deeper conversation and connection among attendees in a more casual setting.

The details

According to Garten, the three-part dinner party format involves starting with cocktails in the living room, then moving to the dining room for the meal, and finally transitioning to the library or another cozy space for digestifs, desserts, and continued socializing. Garten said this final step is crucial, as it helps the evening 'really get going' in a more relaxed atmosphere.

  • Ina Garten recently shared this dinner party advice during a talk in Birmingham, Alabama.

The players

Ina Garten

Also known as The Barefoot Contessa, Garten is a celebrity chef, author, and television personality known for her Emmy Award-winning cooking show.

Jeffrey Garten

Ina Garten's husband, who joined her on stage to discuss dinner party tips the couple learned from a friend in Paris.

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What they’re saying

“One of the things Jeffrey and I learned from dinner parties in Paris is that there are only three distinct parts.”

— Ina Garten, Celebrity Chef

“That's when it really gets going, you know?”

— Jeffrey Garten

“I think this era, having dinner parties and taking care of each other is just so important.”

— Ina Garten, Celebrity Chef

The takeaway

Ina Garten's three-part dinner party structure - cocktails, dinner, and post-meal socializing - provides a proven formula for hosts looking to create an engaging and memorable social experience for their guests. By incorporating this Parisian-inspired format, hosts can encourage deeper connections and conversations in a relaxed setting.