Half of Brits worry something will go wrong when they host dinner party at home

Memorable Come Dine With Me contestant stars in comical video

More than eight in ten adults feel the heat when hosting for friends and family – with 41 percent happy when it’s over. A poll of 2,000 people, who have played host in their home, found 76 percent feel pressured when it comes to making sure their guests are having a good time.

Half are concerned something will go wrong – with 30 percent admitting they have cooked a dish that didn’t turn out as expected.

And 17 percent weren’t prepared for their guests’ arrival, while 15 percent didn’t spend enough time talking to those they were hosting.

Meanwhile, 14 percent have burnt something they were cooking, and one in ten have experienced a red wine spillage.

The study was commissioned by cracker brand Ritz, which has teamed up with former Come Dine With Me contestant, Kevin Riley – aka “Whisk Man” – to showcase his hosting hiccups in “Host Right with Ritz”, narrated by iconic TikTok comedian, Shabaz Says.

Kevin Riley said: “I may have become synonymous with whisks, but my culinary skills have definitely improved since the nation saw me last.

“Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of leaning on all-round crowd pleasers that are always ready to go, even if you’re not. After this, I hope the nation can learn something from my attempt at hosting redemption.”

It also emerged 64 percent feel stressed when guests don’t arrive on time, which leaves 92 percent uninspired to host again.

For 11 percent, hosting is seen as more pressured than meeting a new partner’s parents, while 10 percent feel more relaxed while public speaking.

And eight percent would be less stressed during a job interview, with seven percent rating moving house as easier than entertaining.

To avoid a mishap, 49 percent practise new dishes in advance – but a brave 41 percent attempt an unfamiliar recipe for the first time on the night.

And although 10 percent of those claim it was a success, 64 percent do have a “fail-safe” dish they always turn to.

Pasta is the top go-to meal for 25 percent, with lasagne and spaghetti Bolognese also popular choices.

And eight percent of those polled, via OnePoll.com, will opt for a cheese board, to avoid any unnecessary drama.

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But hygiene also seems to be lacking for some hosts – with 18 percent admitting to taking packaging out of the bin to re-check cooking instructions.

Nearly one in five (17 percent) have “taste-tested” their dish with their fingers – with 16 percent even doing a double-dunk.

And one in ten have pulled a hair out of their guests’ food but not told them, while 11 percent have continued to use ingredients they accidently dropped on the floor.

Ella Jonas, for Ritz at Mondelez International, said: “Incorporating a simple dinner party classic dish or two can help reduce the pressure of hosting.

“This allows you to focus on welcoming your guests and having a great time together, rather than worrying how your soufflé is going to set, or getting your meat the perfect colour.

“Sometimes hosting can go wrong – be that overcooking your meal, or rushing to get your home ready as guests arrive – but relying on a dinner party classic as part of your menu will help you glide through even the most stressful of dinners.”

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