How To Host A Tasty Yet Simple Brunch With Friends
Because sometimes all you need is bacon, coffee and your favourite people.
Good food, good coffee and a couple of hours chatting with friends – what’s not to love about brunch? And unlike a dinner party, you’re not sacrificing your whole day to host it.
With everyone so busy, a weekend brunch can be a great way to meet up with friends, have a fab chat, and then still have a large chunk of your afternoon left to tackle your to-do’s or do something with your family.
Brunch can be as low-key or all-out as you, the host, want to make it, and might well be the easiest way to get friends together.
Brunch At A Glance
The Quick Plan
(For those short on time or energy!)
- Sausages, bacon, eggs your preferred way (or veggie/vegan alternatives), toast and you’re done
- Pair with some fresh orange juice and tea/coffee as your guests prefer
- Aim for a 10 or 11am start so you can chat for a couple of hours but then still have most of the weekend left to get other things done
Top Tip
If you’re on a budget or inviting a big group, turn it into a relaxed brunch potluck and ask everyone to bring something. One person brings pastries, another brings fruit, someone brings bacon… suddenly you’ve got a feast without running yourself ragged.
Little Touch, Big Impact – Brunch
Put a jug of freshly squeezed orange juice and a vase of fresh flowers on the table. Da-daa! Brunch instantly feels that bit more special without you having to do anything complicated.
Brunch Food & Drink Ideas
Option #1 – The Easy Full English
It’s not exactly health food, but it is filling, comforting and delicious – and actually not very difficult to make.
- Fry or grill (latter is healthier) some bacon and/or sausages (with veggie/vegan alternatives if relevant)
- Make eggs a way you like them – if frying, ask your guests for their preference as people can be fussy on this one
- Get in some tasty crusty bread and heat it in the oven; slice on demand for bread/toast
- Add mushrooms, fried tomatoes, hashbrowns, and baked beans as you prefer and your budget allows
- I think freshly squeezed orange juice always brings some sunshine and a feeling of tropical summer holidays (especially if you’re based in the UK!)
- Have a simple range of tea and coffee options for your guests to pick from
Option #2 – The Any-Pancake-Goes Brunch
Fluffy fat American-style, or delicate French crepes, pancakes can be teamed with tonnes of toppings and are always a popular choice. Potential toppings you could offer include:
Top Tip
Pancakes work best in an open-plan kitchen where you can chat to friends as you fry the pancakes to order, so that they’re fresh and hot off the pan to eat.
Option #3 – The No-Cook Brunch
Croissants + pastries + tasty bread + bagels + cheeses + fruit + yoghurt + granola + ham + smoked salmon + juice + coffee. Put what you fancy on the table and let your guests help themselves. No cooking. No timing. No stress. Just open the door and enjoy time with your friends.
Option #4 – The “Let’s Have Everything” Brunch
If you’re like me and my friends, you make every option known to mankind available on your table – bacon, sausages, cheese, salmon, crusty bread, pancakes and toppings, crumpets, croissants, pain au chocolates, fruit and yoghurt, fruit juices, teas and coffees… delicious! Although you can’t move for the rest of the weekend.
What To Put On The Table For A Simple Brunch
It’s easy to overlook the basics – don’t forget to put out:
- Plates / bowls
- Cutlery
- Mugs & glasses
- Napkins
- Butter
- Salt & pepper
- Ketchup & any other condiments / spreads
- Milk
- Water
- Juice
- Coffee/tea
Want to make it feel like an occasion? If you feel like it, add a simple brunch cocktail. Mimosas and Bellinis are wonderfully easy because you can prepare everything in advance and let guests pour their own.
Set The Mood Music
This is one occasion where no music is absolutely fine, or you could have a mellow background soundtrack if that’s your vibe. Make sure the volume is down so talking is easy.
Brunch Extras
Brunch is good enough by itself. But one of the best things about brunch is that it doesn’t have to end when the plates are cleared. Put the kettle on again, open another bottle of something nice, and let everyone carry on chatting if nobody is ready to leave yet.
And if you want to make a day of it? Brunch is also a brilliant starting point for a longer day together. Go for a walk, visit a museum, play a round of crazy golf… or just move to the sofa and keep talking.
Want To Make Your Brunch More Memorable?
Turn it into a theme! Try a glamorous 1920s brunch, a summer garden brunch, a black-and-white brunch or even a cocktail brunch. We’ve got plenty of ideas to help you take it up a notch when you’re in the mood.
Hosting Timeline
- One week before (or the night before!): brunch is one gathering that can be organised fairly last minute and spontaneously
- One day before: get your food and drinks in
- Two hours before: grab fresh bread and pastries
- 30mins before: set the table and put out all your extras; start cooking things that can be kept hot (such as bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs)
- Guests arrive: people often arrive late, so I’d leave anything that needs to be freshly hot (like pancakes) to just after people arrive, particularly if you have a big enough kitchen to chat to people while you finish the last few items
Our Top Tips For This Theme
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