I fondly remember slow, summer afternoons with family and friends gathered around a table of delicious finger-food during my childhood – the adults chatting and laughing, the kids pretending they understood the jokes. My parents had continued their Mediterranean traditions long after settling in Australia – and the simple joy of an effortlessly elegant gathering was one of my favourites.
What I don’t remember is my parents ever being stressed about the gatherings. It all just seemed to ‘come together’. Ah, how times have changed!
There’s something about the Italian style of entertaining that’s still so alluring in our fast-paced family lives. The idea of La Dolce Vita: a sweet life surrounded by family, friends, food and minimal fuss. Which is why we’ve enlisted the help of the entertaining experts at Sandhurst to share easy tips for elegant, memorable summer get-togethers.
We also asked our community of mums to share their tried and true, easy summer entertaining ideas, and we can’t wait to share them with you!
Euro-Inspired Entertaining
Before we dive into the delicious world of sumptuous, simple summer entertaining, it helps to know a little about the inspiration behind our guide. And that’s the concept of Italian entertaining – where time is taken to lovingly grow ingredients, before enjoying them with those you love.
Established in 1988, Sandhurst was born from the time-honoured traditions of generations of the family behind the brand – a proud Italian Australian family passionate about quality produce sourced from world’s best growers.
At the helm of Sandhurst are brothers Mimmo and Ray Lubrano, who live and breathe the impeccable ingredients that become the centrepiece of so many gatherings in Australian family homes.
“Tradition is what we stand for. We’re custodians of Italian values,” explained Mimmo. “When we go to Italy we see it in our grandparents, our parents came from Italy in the 50s. The tradition is a set of values: honesty, teamwork, participation, family – all the things you would associate with Italian family are the values.”
And it’s these beautiful values that make summer gatherings in Australia an extension of the European table.
Easy Summer Entertaining Starts With … Time Saving Secrets!
A sweet summer of entertaining doesn’t need to be stressful. In fact, it shouldn’t be. It’s a chance to spend time with loved ones. To press pause on life and make memories. And it can be simple! So here are some really easy tips for making your home the place where everyone wants to gather this summer.
Create An Entertaining Kit
Whether it’s pre-planned or you’ve had friends or family drop-in, having a few things ready to go immediately melts away any stress. Here are some things to include in a summer entertaining kit:
- A red table cloth: It instantly says festive!
- Some platters and serving dishes
- Candles
- Some quality antipasto ingredients that simply need to be decanted and enjoyed!
Many Hands Make Light Work
As mums, we tend to be our own worst enemy when it comes to delegating tasks. But remember, a summer of entertaining is about creating memories – not perfection. So let the kids help, and accept offers from your guests who’d like to bring something along to share.
“It can be overwhelming, so just delegate, and prepare. I do one dish prep per day and pop them in the freezer. Then they just need to be heated up. Let the kids do the decorating for you – plus keeps them busy!” – MoM Member Kirsty
Decorate With Happiness
There’s no need to pull out your finest crystal to pull off an elegant get together. Take a look around your home and garden to see what will bring your table to life. A bowl of lemons is a gorgeous addition, as is a bunch of gum leaves. Keep it simple and understated.
Finger Food For The Win
Nothing says simple summer elegance more than a charcuterie board (or three!). When my friends and our families get together, it’s our go-to – every family is asked to ‘bring a board’. Some do savoury and some sweet, so we’re covered for a long afternoon of catching up.
“Food wise, I keep it simple by doing cold deli meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and veggies.” – MoM Member
But just because boards are easy to put together, doesn’t mean they can’t ooze elegance. And that comes down to including quality ingredients. Choosing Sandhurst products is the easiest way to guarantee the highest quality ends up on your table. We love the premise behind the brand: from our family to yours – it invokes that nostalgic feeling of shared stories, history, gatherings and family.
How To Put Together A Charcuterie Board
There are no right or wrong ways to create a charcuterie board, but to ensure a balance of textures and flavours try to include:
La Dolce Vita!
A summer of sophisticated entertaining doesn’t have to be hours and hours of work. We don’t want it to be! By grabbing some beautiful ingredients to fill your pantry next time you’re shopping, you’ll know that at a moment’s notice you’ll have everything you need for a Euro-inspired gathering. No fuss, but plenty of substance and style!
Ready to host your own summer gathering? Choose Sandhurst’s quality produce and look for the red lid.
Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Sandhurst to bring you this article.
We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
I fondly remember slow, summer afternoons with family and friends gathered around a table of delicious finger-food during my childhood – the adults chatting and laughing, the kids pretending they understood the jokes. My parents had continued their Mediterranean traditions long after settling in Australia – and the simple joy of an effortlessly elegant gathering was one of my favourites.
What I don’t remember is my parents ever being stressed about the gatherings. It all just seemed to ‘come together’. Ah, how times have changed!
There’s something about the Italian style of entertaining that’s still so alluring in our fast-paced family lives. The idea of La Dolce Vita: a sweet life surrounded by family, friends, food and minimal fuss. Which is why we’ve enlisted the help of the entertaining experts at Sandhurst to share easy tips for elegant, memorable summer get-togethers.
We also asked our community of mums to share their tried and true, easy summer entertaining ideas, and we can’t wait to share them with you!
Euro-Inspired Entertaining
Before we dive into the delicious world of sumptuous, simple summer entertaining, it helps to know a little about the inspiration behind our guide. And that’s the concept of Italian entertaining – where time is taken to lovingly grow ingredients, before enjoying them with those you love.
Established in 1988, Sandhurst was born from the time-honoured traditions of generations of the family behind the brand – a proud Italian Australian family passionate about quality produce sourced from world’s best growers.
At the helm of Sandhurst are brothers Mimmo and Ray Lubrano, who live and breathe the impeccable ingredients that become the centrepiece of so many gatherings in Australian family homes.
“Tradition is what we stand for. We’re custodians of Italian values,” explained Mimmo. “When we go to Italy we see it in our grandparents, our parents came from Italy in the 50s. The tradition is a set of values: honesty, teamwork, participation, family – all the things you would associate with Italian family are the values.”
And it’s these beautiful values that make summer gatherings in Australia an extension of the European table.
Easy Summer Entertaining Starts With … Time Saving Secrets!
A sweet summer of entertaining doesn’t need to be stressful. In fact, it shouldn’t be. It’s a chance to spend time with loved ones. To press pause on life and make memories. And it can be simple! So here are some really easy tips for making your home the place where everyone wants to gather this summer.
Create An Entertaining Kit
Whether it’s pre-planned or you’ve had friends or family drop-in, having a few things ready to go immediately melts away any stress. Here are some things to include in a summer entertaining kit:
- A red table cloth: It instantly says festive!
- Some platters and serving dishes
- Candles
- Some quality antipasto ingredients that simply need to be decanted and enjoyed!
Many Hands Make Light Work
As mums, we tend to be our own worst enemy when it comes to delegating tasks. But remember, a summer of entertaining is about creating memories – not perfection. So let the kids help, and accept offers from your guests who’d like to bring something along to share.
“It can be overwhelming, so just delegate, and prepare. I do one dish prep per day and pop them in the freezer. Then they just need to be heated up. Let the kids do the decorating for you – plus keeps them busy!” – MoM Member Kirsty
Decorate With Happiness
There’s no need to pull out your finest crystal to pull off an elegant get together. Take a look around your home and garden to see what will bring your table to life. A bowl of lemons is a gorgeous addition, as is a bunch of gum leaves. Keep it simple and understated.
Finger Food For The Win
Nothing says simple summer elegance more than a charcuterie board (or three!). When my friends and our families get together, it’s our go-to – every family is asked to ‘bring a board’. Some do savoury and some sweet, so we’re covered for a long afternoon of catching up.
“Food wise, I keep it simple by doing cold deli meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and veggies.” – MoM Member
But just because boards are easy to put together, doesn’t mean they can’t ooze elegance. And that comes down to including quality ingredients. Choosing Sandhurst products is the easiest way to guarantee the highest quality ends up on your table. We love the premise behind the brand: from our family to yours – it invokes that nostalgic feeling of shared stories, history, gatherings and family.
How To Put Together A Charcuterie Board
There are no right or wrong ways to create a charcuterie board, but to ensure a balance of textures and flavours try to include:
La Dolce Vita!
A summer of sophisticated entertaining doesn’t have to be hours and hours of work. We don’t want it to be! By grabbing some beautiful ingredients to fill your pantry next time you’re shopping, you’ll know that at a moment’s notice you’ll have everything you need for a Euro-inspired gathering. No fuss, but plenty of substance and style!
Ready to host your own summer gathering? Choose Sandhurst’s quality produce and look for the red lid.
Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Sandhurst to bring you this article.
We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
Photos from the Review Team
1:48 pm
No Nasties!
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:57 pm
Best smelling soap
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:19 pm
Beautiful range of products
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
10:36 pm
Beautiful Australian made products
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
11:43 am
Amazing Scent!!
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:52 am
Refreshing and real
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:40 pm
Beautifully scented and very moisturising
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
1:05 pm
Finally a Soothing and hydrating hand wash
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
12:19 pm
Good quality product
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
1:36 pm
WOW! Just WOW!
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
11:58 pm
The rose soap is DIVINE!
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:16 am
My go-to soap bar
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
9:57 am
Looks chic and no nasties
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
6:00 pm
Body wash Review
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
4:38 pm
Freshwater farm Hemp handwash
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
6:06 am
Handwash
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
1:48 pm
No Nasties!
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:57 pm
Best smelling soap
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:52 pm
Gorgeous Aussie Made Soap
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
7:42 am
Fancy without the price tag
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:56 am
Incredibly fresh and clean
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
1:53 pm
Farm fresh products
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
1:39 pm
Loving and saving the soap
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
1:06 pm
Great product to try and use
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:19 pm
Beautiful range of products
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
9:41 pm
Luscious products
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
1:54 pm
Better than expected
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
8:44 pm
Soft and freshwater.
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
6:52 am
Love this soap!
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
3:42 pm
Beautiful smelling products.
this product to
other Mums
this product again
very hydrating for
my skin
of this product
product is
Australian Made
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 21
- »
Click here to post a reviewTo post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.
To register for reviews that are not open yet and for future reviews, enter your email below and we'll send you an email as soon as a review is open for application.