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  1. Home
  2. Entertain

Easy winter entertaining

5 ways to entertain with style - by Imogene Abady
  • 19 Jun 2019

Entertaining in winter is all about preparation. Plan ahead and set a warming scene to welcome guests into your home.

An impeccable host, HB creative & food director Imogene Abady loves to entertain during winter. However, with her cosy home in the NSW Southern Highlands blessedly removed from the hustle and bustle of the city shops, Imogene says the secret to her success lies in her behind-the-scenes planning to have everything at hand ahead of time. 

"I do a one-stop shop and then hibernate."

Imogene Abady HB creative & food director

Here are Imogene's tips to entertaining with ease in winter:

1. Awesome cheese

"I love a triple cream brie and this serving it at room temperature to guests as a pre-dinner snack is sure to impress," says Imogene.

Easy winter entertaining
Chris Warnes

2. Hearty soups

Homemade ahead of time or bought fresh and hearty in a pinch, a good quality soup shines with a quick stir through of creme fraiche and a topping of fresh herbs. Serve with crunchy bread, naturally.

Try our Quinoa and vegetable winter soup recipe

5 ways to entertain with ease
Cath Muscat

3. Pizza party

"I have three kids so weekends are frantic with sport, so I keep quality pepperoni and three-cheese mix in the freezer," says Imogene. "That way they can make their own lunch but can also jazz them up to a gourmet level."

Easy winter entertaining

Click for Barbecue meat lovers’ pizza recipe

Nicky Ryan

4. Simple desserts

Always keep good quality icecream, sorbet and frozen berries on hand for a simple and delicious dessert. "I love a dessert, but if I'm pushed for time, I make a quick berry coulis," says Imogene.

5. Lay a lovely table

"Nothing beats flowers and foliage from your own garden," says Imogene of her ideal tabletop dressing. "It's cheap, seasonal and when in doubt, use succulents." 

Easy winter entertaining
Chris Warnes

Love these winter entertaining tips? Click here for even more year-round entertaining ideas.

You might also like:

Caramel nut ice-cream cake

How to entertain a crowd

Whole roasted spiced cauliflower

  • Entertain
  • Lifestyle
Imogene Abady
Imogene Abady
With a career of almost 20 years working on Belle, Vogue Living, Elle Cuisine and Vogue Entertaining + Travel, Imogene is now Creative + Food Director of Home Beautiful, where she embraces all of her passions: interior design, lifestyle, entertaining and decorating. A tree change sees Imogene now in the Southern Highlands of NSW with her family.

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