Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties

Everybody wants to be able to throw the perfect dinner party, and in this stylish new series Rachel Allen will show viewers exactly how to do that.

Each week, a different group of people (friends or colleagues) will join Rachel in her studio kitchen for an exclusive dinner party. One of this group will act as Rachel's sous chef helping her prepare a mouth watering three course meal. They will have been nominated by the group because they are the most competitive dinner party host. Now they will have to really "up their game" and prove what an accomplished cook they are. This will be a unique opportunity for our apprentice and our guests to learn from one of cooking's most accessible teachers as to how to pull off the perfect dinner party!

Episodes

Programme One

Tonight on Dinner Parties, Rachel will be helping keen dinner party host Jonny Lacey throw a party to remember by teaching him a gorgeous new menu. A starter of scallops with cabbage, bacon & orange, followed by chicken confit with sautéed rosemary potatoes and creamy lentils. and to finish, a delicious dessert of blackberry mousse and chocolate mendients.

Interior designer Hannah Sandling gets to work in Jonny's dining room and adds stylish finishing touches to dazzle his dinner party guests.

But will Jonny remember all of Rachel's tips on the night? We'll find out if Jonny's dinner party goes without a hitch.

Programme Two

Tonight on Dinner Parties, Rachel will be giving keen cook Michele Davies a dinner party masterclass. Starting with smoked mackerel and goat's cheese soufflé, followed by a main course of roast spiced lamb with spinach & mint orzo and to finish, a beautifully rich blueberry & custard tart.

Interior designer Scott Waldron adds a touch of Moroccan dinner party glamour to Michele's outdoor dining space.

But will Michele's souffle's rise on the night? We'll find out if her dinner party goes to plan.

Programme Three

Tonight on Dinner Parties, Rachel will be helping keen host Avila Lipsett spice up her dinner party by teaching her some mouthwatering new dishes. A starter of sesame & mint chickpea pancakes, followed by a roasted vegetable coconut curry. A creamy dessert of peach jelly pannacotta pots finishes her menu perfectly.

Interior designer Hannah Sandling transforms Avila's dining room into a glamorous gothic space to wow her dinner party guests.

But will Avila's preparation go without a hitch on the night? We'll find out if her dinner party is a hit....

Programme Four

Tonight on Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties, Rachel will be helping keen cook Jesh Persaud to take her entertaining skills to the next level by giving her ideas for a fabulous new menu. Starting with crab bisque, followed by a main course of coq au vin with a winter leaf salad and to finish, a gently spiced rhubarb & ginger crumble cake.

Interior designer Scott Waldron will style Jesh's dining room, adding extra sparkle to wow her dinner party guests.

But how will Jesh get on with Rachel's recipes on the night? We'll find out if her dinner party goes with a bang.

Programme Five

Tonight on Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties, Rachel will be turning keen cook Kate Smith-Bingham into a dinner party goddess by teaching her a fabulous new menu. A starter of spinach soup with rosemary oil, followed by individual beef Wellington with creamy potato & gruyere gratin and French beans with lemon & pine nuts. A decadent chocolate crème brulee dessert finishes her menu perfectly.

Interior designer Hannah Sandling sets the scene for Kate's dinner party with some stunningly stylish flourishes.

But will Kate's beef Wellington go according to plan? We'll find out if her dinner party guests are impressed.

Programme Six

Tonight on Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties, Rachel will be helping Cara Sheerin throw a dinner party to remember by teaching her a French-inspired new menu. Starting with chicken liver pate with sweet apple relish, followed by a main course to die for - steak au poivre with roast garlic colcannon and to finish, a beautifully delicate raspberry millefeuille.

Interior designer Scott Waldron will add some vintage country chic to Cara's dining room, providing the perfect backdrop for the dishes.

But will Cara remember all of Rachel's tips on the night? We'll find out if her dinner party goes without a hitch.

Programme Seven

Tonight on Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties, Rachel will be helping novice cook Jonathan Welford overcome his dinner party nerves by teaching him some impressive new dishes. A starter of poached monkfish with a tomato and toasted hazelnut salsa, followed by a decadent mushroom tart with cooked cucumber and mint. A delightful apricot meringue with apricot puree finishes his menu perfectly.

Interior designer Hannah Sandling gives Jonathan's dining room a stylish new look.

But will Jonathan's preparation go without a hitch on the night? We'll find out if his dinner party is a hit.

Programme Eight

Tonight on Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties, Rachel will be helping keen cook Tony Gallagher to take his entertaining skills to the next level by giving him ideas for a fabulous new Asian-inspired menu. Starting with Thai chicken cakes with sweet chilli jam, followed by a main course of Southeast Asian grilled fish with soy & sesame pak choi and to finish, a wonderfully creamy white chocolate parfait with rich dark chocolate sauce.

Interior designer Scott Waldron will jazz up Tony's dining room, providing a stylish backdrop for his feast.

But will Tony feel the pressure on the night? We'll find out if his dinner party goes with a bang.

Programme Nine

Tonight on Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties, Rachel will be helping keen dinner party host Eva Braga-Ng Kon Tia throw a party to remember by teaching her a gorgeous new menu. A starter of chilled avocado soup with red & yellow pepper and coriander salsa, followed by a main course of roast duck legs with white bean puree and wilted greens with garlic and anchovy breadcrumbs. A very fashionable salted caramel chocolate tart finishes Eva's menu perfectly.

Interior designer Hannah Sandling gets to work in Eva's dining room adding stylish finishing touches to impress her dinner party guests.

But will Eva remember all of Rachel's tips on the night? We'll find out if Eva's dinner party is a success.

Programme Ten

Tonight on Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties, Rachel will be giving keen cook Nerys Royal a dinner party masterclass. Starting with baked beetroot risotto with parmesan crisps, followed by a main course of zesty pine nut crusted fish with salsa verde and to finish, a beautifully rich coffee zabaglione.

Interior designer Scott Waldron creates a girly white look for Nery's girly dinner party.

And we'll find out if her dinner party goes to plan on the night.