Taste of DC Dinner Party and Dessert Contest

Last weekend, I hosted a Taste of DC dinner party and dessert contest for a group of friends and neighbors. It turned out to be such a fun and memorable night. Not only did it give us an excuse to gather everyone together, but it also created the perfect opportunity to discover local favorites. Not to mention introduce new friends to old friends, and add a little friendly competition into the mix. Best of all, this party concept is incredibly flexible. This means you could easily recreate it in any city or neighborhood. Read on for all the details and ideas.

So here’s how it worked. We invited everyone over for a Taste of DC dinner party and dessert contest. To keep things simple, we took care of dinner. Instead of asking guests to bring a dish, we made the “buy-in” for the night. We asked everyone to bring a favorite dessert from a local restaurant or bakery. This small twist made the evening feel special while still supporting local businesses. Plus, it gave everyone a chance to show off a hidden gem they love.

For dinner, we ordered takeout from a few iconic DC restaurants—think Ben’s Chili Bowl and District of Pi. This way guests could sample different flavors from around the city without ever leaving our backyard. Once dinner wrapped up, the real fun began. Everyone sampled the desserts, compared notes, and voted for their favorites. To keep things exciting, we awarded winners with gift cards to local restaurants. In the end, though, everyone walked away a winner with new dessert spots to add to their must-try list.

Next, we focused on décor to tie everything together. To set the tone, we added blue letters to pre-made red and white banners from Target. Since September weather in DC is still warm, we were able to host the party outside, which instantly made the evening feel relaxed and festive. As the sun went down, we turned on the patio lights, which added a cozy glow and kept the party going well into the night.

To keep the tables simple but on theme, we used white tablecloths and layered in red and blue streamers for a pop of color. The centerpieces were especially fun to make: we stamped the DC flag onto linen, wrapped it around mason jars, and added candles inside for a soft, warm light. Finally, to make cleanup easy, we served dinner on paper plates, while silverware was wrapped neatly in napkins and secured with washi tape. These small details tied the look together without adding extra stress.

Overall, this Taste of DC dinner party was such a hit, and it’s a concept I’d happily repeat again. Whether you live in a big city or a small town, swapping “DC” for your own local favorites makes this party idea both personal and easy to pull off.

Happy Planning,