69 Fancy Food Names For Your Dinner Parties

Georgia Stone
May 07, 2024 By Georgia Stone
Originally Published on Dec 10, 2020
Edited by Joan Agie
Fact-checked by Martha Martins
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A food box with sandwich cookies nuts fruits and avocado.



Planning a dinner party is more than just making food; it's about mixing flavors and how you present them. Using fancy names can add a special touch, making everyone excited even before they start eating.

Serving luxurious foods, some even decorated with edible gold leaf or packed with deep flavors will surely make your parties stand out.

You might want to impress with the smoothness of whipped cream together with the sharp taste of lemon, or you might want to show off the bright colors of bell peppers in your meals. The right names go hand in hand with the richness of fancy fruits and the softness of high-quality beef.

With this list, you'll learn how to match fancy names with the best flavors and textures, making sure every dish, from the appetizer to the dessert, feels luxurious. Prepare yourself with these creative names, and ensure that the presentation and flavors of your dishes wow your guests.

Appetizers To Make Your Starters Better

A slice of pizza taken out of a pizza pan.

Improve the first impression of your gathering with a variety of mouth-watering appetizers and recipes that make any meal's start better. These small starters are made to wake up the appetite, blending flavor and how they look to set a high bar for what comes next.

1. Baked Feta With Sumac & Grapes: It is a great starter choice with tangy, sweet, and tart flavors if you are on a budget and will take about 45 minutes to prepare.

2. Beetroot & Blackberry Cured Salmon: You can serve this on crackers as a canape, and the beetroot and berries make it a great version as a starter.

3. Carpaccio Scallops: This dish requires a little more effort than average, but if you are looking to impress, then this is a dish for you.

4. Chargrilled Mackerel With Sweet & Sour Beetroot: Grilled mackerel gives a different kind of charred taste, and the beetroots perfectly complement the sweet and sour starter.

5. Charred Leeks With Anchovy Dressing: This simple starter is the star of the elegant dish, and the small fish adds a depth of flavor.

6. Charred Spring Onions & Romesco: This is a vegetarian dish appropriate for a dinner party. It takes 20 minutes to prepare, and the sauce can be made ahead of time.

7. Cheesy Sprout Fondue: Transform your leftover cheese into a versatile starter recipe, served perfectly with crusty bread.

8. Chicken Liver & Pineau Pâté: This is a sweet pâté recipe that is rich in taste using pineau. It goes well as a dinner party starter.

9. Faux Gras With Toast & Pickles: The easiest parfait ever; with only two ingredients, you'll have this served in no time.

10. Gravadlax With Celeriac & Fennel Salad: A Nordic salmon starter, cured with dill and served with a nice dressing of mustard, honey, and dill with a crisp salad.

11. Grilled Lobster Tails With Lemon & Herb Butter: This is an impressive party dinner dish that takes a lot of effort to put together. Parsley, lemon, and garlic butter complement the lobster tails.

12. Ham Hock & Pistachio Roll: This dish can serve as both a starter and a special Christmas treat.

13. Minted Melon, Tomato, & Prosciutto Salad: This is an ideal sharing platter to start your dinner or summer event.

14. Onions & Goat's Cheese Tarte Tatins: The caramelized onions with thyme and goat's cheese on the puff tarte tins make a great vegetarian dish as a party starter.

15. Potted Crab: A hint of smoked paprika with your potted crab adds a new mix to party starters.

16. Runner Bean Samosas: It is a great starter to nibble on for a few people. Runner beans go well with spices, creating the perfect balance.

17. Saffron & Lemon Risotto Balls: These crunchy rice balls have the special smell and taste of real saffron, making them a fancy starter. The fresh lemon peel goes well with the saffron. Enjoy them with a sharp-tasting tomato sauce for dipping.

18. Scallops With Chorizo & Hazelnut Picada: Add a touch of Spanish elegance to this meal. This is a vibrant starter for any occasion.

19. Sushi Rolls with Caviar: A luxurious starter featuring rich caviar, it's sure to impress your guests with its decadent flavor.

20. Tomatoes, Burrata, & Broad Bean Salad: It is a simple yet tasty dish that requires a few ingredients.

21. Tripple Cheese & Tarragon-Stuffed Mushroom: This is a super fast and easy dish to make for a light starter. With just five ingredients, you can have it ready to eat in 15 minutes.

22. Watercress & Celeriac Soup With Goat's Cheese Crouton: This is a simple starter you can freeze ahead for your friends and family, and for extra richness, add the goat's cheese.

Culinary Masterpieces For Memorable Main Courses

An image of a main course meal set on a table.

Turn your dinner table into a showcase of cooking skills with meals that capture the heart of a standout main dish. With restaurant-quality dishes that you can afford to make at home, each step from roasting to plating is a chance to cook with passion and precision.

23. Beer-Brined Beer Can Chicken: This dish is tasty and fun to make, using the methods of soaking in salt water and cooking on a grill.

24. Cauliflower Bolognese: This is a great alternative to the meaty original, and it is suitable for both vegans and non-vegans.

25. Chicken Stew With Potatoes & Radish: It makes an excellent choice for comfort food, taking in the flavor of chicken paprikash.

26. Chilled-Marinated Pork With Vietnamese Brussels Sprouts: This is a fresh and tasty main dish with soft pork marinated in a sauce inspired by Vietnamese flavors.

27. Clam Toast With Pancetta: The backbone of this toast is the pancetta, providing a great duo between pork and shellfish.

28. Creamy Squash Risotto With Toasted Pepitas: A paprika-packed squash puree makes this meal hearty and satisfying.

29. Filipino-Style Meatloaf: Meatloaf can be equally beautiful and tasty for your dinner party. You can soak up the juice with rice.

30. Filipino-Style Roast Pork Belly With Chile Vinegar: This is a simple method for cooking pork belly and provides a succulent meaty taste.

31. Grand Aioli: A summer French classic that requires no cutlery. You can serve it with any seafood or vegetable of your choice.

32. Grilled Garlic & Black Pepper Shrimp: It's a quick and easy-to-prepare main course that showcases the bold flavors of garlic and black pepper.

33. Grilled Scallops With Creamed Corn: This is a multipurpose dry dish recipe that will have your guests coming back for seconds.

34. Lemon & Herb Baked Fish: A light and refreshing main course, in which the lemon juice adds a bright flavor to the tender fish.

35. Olive Oil-Confit Chicken With Cipollini Onions: The chicken thighs come out moist and soaked with the juicy flavor of the oils.

36. Pork Chops With Celery & Almond Salad: Two giant pork chops seasoned with garlic and thyme make this dish easy to serve as a family-style meal and is also elegant.

37. Pork Chops With Fig & Grape Agrodolce: Cooking pork chops in balsamic vinegar and honey makes a sweet and sour sauce that perfectly compliments the chops.

39. Roast Chicken With Harissa & Schmaltz: This tenderized chicken packs a lot of heat, making it a great recipe for your main.

40. Roasted Pumpkin, Marjoram, & Blue Cheese Frittata: This is a great vegetarian main course at your elegant dinner party.

41. Seared Foie Gras with Sautéed Eggplant & Bacon: A treat-filled main course featuring the delicate taste of foie gras, balanced by the smoky bacon and the tender eggplant.

42. Slow-Roasted Salmon In Parchment Paper: The flavor of this dish comes from olives and capers, some rum, a squeeze of lime juice, and sweet raisins.

43. Spring Risotto: It is a vibrant and creamy main dish that showcases the fresh flavors of seasonal vegetables, an ideal choice for a vegan dinner party.

44. Steamed Mussels & Chorizo: Make this Mediterranean surf and turf dish for your fancy-looking dinner. Add some spice and a splash of wine for bursting flavor.

45. Tomato Tart With Chickpea Crumbles: Get a filling of protein and flavor with this classic tomato sauce dish.

46. Wagyu Beef Steak with Roasted Potatoes & Onion: This dish showcases the rich flavor of wagyu beef, complemented by the simplicity of roasted potatoes and onions.

Fancy Dessert Creations To Wrap Up

Macaroons, marshmallows and cupcakes.Shutterstock

Enjoy a grand finale with elegant desserts that look as good as they taste, made to beautifully complete any meal. These desserts, ranging from rich chocolate towers to detailed fruit tartlets, aim to impress both the eyes and taste buds, offering a joyful conclusion.

47. Avocado Chocolate Mousse: It is a surprisingly light and delicious dessert that combines the creamy texture of ripe avocados with the rich flavor of chocolate.

48. Chocolate L'Opera: A cake with layers of chocolate ganache and cake soaked in coffee, leading to a culinary standing ovation.

49. Coconut Custard Tart With Roasted Pineapple: This tropical dessert features a creamy, coconut-infused custard filling in a buttery tart shell, topped with caramelized roasted pineapple.

50. Crème Brûlée au Citron Vert: A sophisticated twist on the classic French dessert, featuring a smooth, creamy custard infused with the bright and zesty flavors of lime.

51. Raspberry Eton Mess: A fun dessert that combines crisp meringue, whipped cream, and fresh raspberries.

52. Double-Decker Tarte: Achocolate tart featuring two layers of rich, decadent chocolate ganache nestled in a crisp, buttery pastry shell.

53. Double-Layer Custard & Chocolate Mousse: A luxurious dessert that combines two classic favorites, silky smooth custard and rich chocolate mousse, into one irresistible treat.

54. Key Lime Pie: This is a pie that features a smooth, tangy lime custard filling in a buttery Graham cracker crust, topped with a dollop of whipped cream.

55. Lavender Poached Pear With Poire Williams Pudding: A refined dessert that showcases tender, aromatic pears poached in a fragrant lavender syrup, served alongside Poire Williams.

56. Lemon & Prosecco Sorbet: A palate-cleansing dessert that combines the bright, zesty flavors of lemon with the effervescent bubbles of Prosecco.

57. Passion Fruit Cheesecake: It is a tropical and refreshing twist on the classic dessert, featuring a creamy, tangy cheesecake and passion fruit on a buttery biscuit base.

58. Pineapple & Ginger Pavlova: It is crunchy and bursting with lots of sweet flavors from pineapple and ginger.

59. Pistachio Soufflé With Pistachio Ice Cream: It is a pudding that features a light, fluffy pistachio soufflé paired with a creamy, nutty pistachio ice cream.

60. Quince & Frangipane Tart: A dessert that combines the sweet, aromatic flesh of poached quince with frangipane filling in a buttery pastry shell.

61. Retro Trifle: This is great for the festive season and features layers of fluffy sponge cake, creamy custard, tangy fruit jelly, and fresh raspberries, all topped with whipped cream.

62. Roasted Fruit Medley with Sugar and Salt: A simple yet elegant dessert featuring expensive fruits, enhanced by the contrasting flavors of sugar and salt.

63. Roasted Vanilla & Honey Crème Brûlée: A special dessert after a cozy dinner with creamy custard flavored with roasted vanilla beans and honey, topped with caramelized sugar.

64. Salted Caramel & Sausage Pasta: A surprising and savory pasta dish, in which the sausage adds a meaty richness to the sweet and salty caramel sauce.

65. Salted Caramel Roulade: A light and fluffy sponge cake rolled around a rich, creamy salted caramel filling is an ideal addition to your dinner party recipe list.

66. Strawberry Cheesecake: A creamy, smooth cheesecake filling topped with fresh, juicy strawberries, arranged on a buttery biscuit base.

67. Tropical Baked Alaska: A mound of creamy, tropical-flavored ice cream atop a small platter cake is a great way to wrap up the evening.

68. Vanilla Panna Cotta With Port Jelly: A silky smooth, creamy vanilla panna cotta topped with a rich, fruity port wine jelly is best made a day in advance.

69. Yubari King Melon: It can be served as a palate cleanser or a sweet treat; this rare melon is a taste of affluence that your guests will appreciate.

FAQs

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What is a fancy dish called?

A fancy meal is often called a 'gourmet' or 'haute cuisine' dish. These terms denote the preparation of the meal with exceptional skill and meticulous attention, resulting in a refined dining experience. Examples are Châteaubriand, Bouillabaisse, and Beef Wellington.

How can using fancy names enhance the dinner party experience?

Dishes like truffled eggplant terrine or beetroot carpaccio with goat cheese mousse can offer a rich and opulent taste while being completely vegetarian.

Why is choosing the right wine important for a dinner party?

Selecting the right wine is crucial, as it can complement the flavor profiles of the dishes served, enhance the meal, and contribute to the luxurious ambiance of the event.

Organizing a dinner party with fancy food names and special ingredients will make your guests remember the evening.

Including the deep taste of wagyu meat, the unique taste of real saffron, and the luxury of edible gold leaf, every part chosen carefully adds to an event that goes beyond the usual. Your dinner gatherings will be something people talk about, making them look forward to what you cook up next.

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Sources

https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/starters

https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/collections/ea...

https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/collections/star...
https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/collection/b...
https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/category/cours...

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Written by Georgia Stone

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia Stone picture

Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

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Fact-checked by Martha Martins

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha Martins picture

Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.

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