Soirée, not sorry

Nigella Lawson won't host fancy dinners any more. Don't let that stop you from planning ahead and pulling off a fun, sophisticated night at home with friends

- SEEMA GOSWAMI

I have to say that my world tilted on its axis when I read that the original Domestic Goddess, Nigella Lawson, was giving up on hosting dinner parties. You know the kind I mean, don't you? They featured on most of her TV shows, all twinkly fairy lights, a brilliantly laid table, and platters and platters of interesting dishes, drawn from every corner of the world.

Well, Nigella is giving up on all that now. She has had enough of being the hostess with the mostest. Now when she entertains, she makes one big dish with a few accompaniments, sets everything on a side table and asks everyone to help themselves, buffet style. Did I mention that nobody is required to dress up either? Her guests are welcome to trundle in wearing their pyjamas.