or my recent book review (http://www.dinemalaysia.com/foods_detail/131), I was looking at a book of Thai food inspired by the recipes and cooking of Thailand’s most beloved American, Jim Thompson.

Many people will have either visited JT’s house in Bangkok, been impressed by his silk business or heard the mysterious story of his disappearance on Easter Sunday when he took a stroll in the Cameron Highlands and was never seen again, but not many people will have realised (as I didn’t) that a big part of JT’s time in Thailand was given over to dinner parties.

The image couldn’t be more compelling: JT’s beautiful Thai house filled with curious antiques and even more curious people – actresses, diplomats, businessmen; the creme of Thai’s expat society jostled for an invite to his famous dinner parties. There, amid the candles and the light evening breeze, JT’s chosen guests would drink and eat a whole plethora of Thai dishes, from the traditional through to the westernized versions of local things, and put the world to rights.

This rather captured my imagination, and got me thinking back to all the (less extravagant) dinner parties I have attended, and how it is always the evening that takes centre stage. There is something about the ceremony of dinner parties – the matching cutlery, the candles, the excessive plates and courses – that makes the food taste even better and transforms it from a way to fill your belly to a sparkling social occasion. And yes it takes a lot of effort and leaves you with a mountain of washing up and a heavy head (if you indulged in the wine), but it is a far more enjoyable way to eat.

So next time you are planning a meal out with friends, why not plan to have a meal in instead? Yes you will have to cook (or persuade

someone else to) but you will avoid the rain and the traffic, you won’t have to spend too much money and you will get to spend a more laid-back evening in comfortable surroundings. Let us re-discover the delights of home dining!