The return of the dinner party

The nations kitchens, dining rooms and conservatories are set to be filled with laughter and conversation once again as the dinner party comes back into fashion, it has been reported.

Statistics in the Daily Telegraph show that sales of dinner party food are outperforming those of last year by 100 per cent.

Furthermore, wine sales are up 200 per cent and Marks and Spencer has recorded a 60 per cent increase in demand for casserole beef as well as a hike in sales of olives, cheeses and scallops.

As people shun high-priced restaurants and turn to hosting their own fine meals, some may even choose to set their soirees in the conservatory for added atmosphere.

Meredith Etherington Smith, presenter of TVs The Dinner Party Inspectors, explained that the style of dinner parties has also changed.

"Over the past few years, many people have extended their kitchens into the dining room," she told the newspaper.

"None of us has the energy to polish the silver. People like to go to the farmers market on Saturday, buy some great food and then have pals round the kitchen table that evening."

The Royal Society of Chartered Surveyors recently announced that the average number of transactions per estate agent has fallen to just 9.9 per cent over the past three months – further evidence that people will continue to make the most of their current properties.