Create the Perfect Dinner Party

Plan a complete dinner party for the following:

Occasion: [casual gathering / celebration / impressive dinner / themed evening / dinner club]
Number of guests: [X people]
Guests' dietary requirements: [vegetarian / vegan / gluten-free / allergies / mixed — describe]
Host's cooking skill: [beginner / intermediate / confident cook]
Budget: [modest / comfortable / splurge]
Time available to prepare: [day of only / one day ahead / two days ahead]
Kitchen equipment: [standard home kitchen / well-equipped / limited]
Atmosphere goal: [relaxed and fun / elegant and impressive / cosy and intimate / lively and social]
Guests know each other: [well / some do, some don't / strangers meeting for first time]

Deliver a complete dinner party plan:

THE MENU:
- Cocktail or welcome drink (with non-alcoholic option)
- 2-3 canapés or nibbles
- Starter
- Main course
- Side dishes (2-3)
- Dessert
- Cheese course (optional)
- Wine pairing suggestions per course

For each dish:
- Recipe overview and difficulty
- Can it be made ahead? How far in advance?
- Plating suggestion
- Substitution for dietary requirements

COOKING TIMELINE:
- Two days before: what to prepare
- Day before: what to prepare
- Morning of: what to do
- 2 hours before guests arrive: what to do
- 30 minutes before: final preparations
- During the meal: timing guide for courses

TABLE SETTING AND ATMOSPHERE:
- Table setting description
- Centrepiece idea using easily available materials
- Music playlist mood for arrival, dinner, and post-dinner
- Lighting suggestion
- Seating arrangement strategy (if some guests don't know each other)

CONVERSATION AND ENTERTAINMENT:
- 3 conversation starters to introduce early
- A light game or activity for between courses
- How to handle awkward silences
- When and how to move from table to sitting area

HOST SURVIVAL GUIDE:
- How to be present as a host, not just a cook
- What to do when something goes wrong
- Graceful ways to wrap up the evening
- The one thing that will make guests remember it