Pakistani Dawat Delight: Your Essential Hosting Guide

Hosting a Pakistani dawat (gathering or feast) can be a wonderful way to celebrate Pakistani culture, share delicious food, and spend quality time with friends and family. The best thing of Pakistani dawat is that it will always be a beautiful chaos. Elders discussing politics, aunties gossiping about family matters, cousins taking pictures and laughing together over a stupid joke that Fatima made, kids’ running around for no reason and the delicious smell of the food in the air is the best image of a Pakistani dawat.  

Now managing such a chaos is quite a challenge so, follow the guide given below to host a memorable Pakistani dawat.

Planning and Preparation:

Decide on the date and time for the dawat. Consider cultural or religious events, and the availability of your guests.

Create a guest list and send out invitations well in advance.

Plan the menu. Pakistani cuisine is diverse and flavourful, with a variety of dishes to choose from. Common dishes include biryani, nihari, karahi, kebabs, and various types of bread like naan and roti. Don’t forget to include vegetarian options and accommodate dietary restrictions.

Make a shopping list and purchase all the necessary ingredients.

Decorate the dining area with Pakistani-themed decorations, like colourful tablecloths, lanterns, and traditional artwork.

Cooking and Food Preparation:

Start cooking a day or two in advance, especially for dishes that require marinating or slow cooking.

If you’re not familiar with Pakistani cooking, consider enlisting the help of someone who is or following trusted recipes online or from cookbooks.

Make sure you have all the necessary kitchen equipment and utensils.

Setting the Table:

Set up a dining area with enough seating for your guests. Use traditional floor seating (dastarkhwan) or opt for a regular dining table setup, depending on your preference and available space.

Arrange the table with plates, cutlery, napkins, and glasses. Traditional Pakistani dawats often include serving dishes that everyone shares.

Add a touch of elegance with decorative centrepieces or candles.    

Welcoming Guests:

Greet your guests with warmth and hospitality. It’s a Pakistani tradition to offer guests something sweet, like dates or jaggery, when they arrive.

Provide a place for guests to remove their shoes if they prefer to eat sitting on the floor.

Serving the Food:

Serve the food hot and fresh. Pakistani cuisine is known for its aromatic flavors, so make sure the dishes are well-spiced.

Start with appetizers and move on to the main course. Serve various dishes, both meat and vegetarian, to cater to different preferences.

Consider having some traditional desserts like gulab jamun or kheer for the sweet ending.

Entertainment and Activities:

Depending on the size of your gathering, you may want to plan some entertainment. This could include traditional music, dancing, or games.

Sharing stories, anecdotes, and jokes can also be a great way to keep the atmosphere lively.

Thanking Guests:

Thank your guests for attending and make them feel appreciated. It’s customary to offer guests a small gift or token of appreciation.

Clean-up:

After the dawat, clean up the dining area and kitchen. Pakistani hospitality includes ensuring that your guests don’t have to worry about cleaning up after themselves.

Remember that the key to a successful Pakistani dawat is warm hospitality and delicious food. Enjoy the company of your guests and savour the rich flavours of Pakistani cuisine together.