Denver's dinner party renaissance is here

State of play: Searches for "dinner parties" on Evite increased 148% from this time last year, according to data the online invitation company shared with Axios.

• Millennials and Gen Zers are especially leaning into their "hosting era," with an emphasis on creative tablescapes and themed experiences.
• That's partly because "visually appealing content around hosting is highly valued and widely shared" on TikTok and Instagram, Olivia Pollock, senior brand director at Evite, tells Axios.

Dig in: If you really want to impress your guests, decorated Denver chef Jennifer Jasinski recommends serving a tuna log with a fresh batch of yuzu margaritas, or something bubbly like Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé.

• Buy a tuna log from the butcher (1 pound feeds about five people for an appetizer).
• Coat it in black pepper and cracked coriander, then quickly sear each side on high with canola or another neutral oil.
• Let it chill, slice it, top it with a touch of finishing salt, and serve each slice with olive tapenade. (We're trying out this two-step recipe from The Mediterranean Dish.)

Zoom out: A host of dinner party startups like Hauste and Canary are catering to younger adults, at a time when dining out is still expensive and many have soured on drinking.

• The businesses aim to make food-focused fetês easier to pull off, offering menu ideas, plate rentals, Spotify playlists and other services.

What's next: More couples are opting for intimate dinner parties over large wedding receptions.

• Pinterest searches for "wedding dinner party" grew 150% year-over-year, according to the platform's 2024 trend report.

Go deeper: How to make the most of your dinner party