The three-course meal you eat standing up

There’s no getting away from it, choosing a meal for a large number of people can be enough to put you off your food. Celebrations invariably throw together an eclectic mix of people - suddenly you find yourself juggling great-grandma’s false teeth (metaphorically, of course) with the bright young things’ insatiable desire for sushi. Not to mention the vegetarian contingent and an Anglophile aunt who won’t touch anything with a whiff of the exotic.

It really can be a headache, but Chez Vous has the answer to the harassed host’s dreams. Bring on “bowl food”. Beautifully presented canapés, main courses and cocktail desserts served to mingling diners by staff who constantly circulate bearing the food in ceramic bowls.

There’s no need to disturb the momentum of the party atmosphere while people take their seats or select from a buffet spread. Occasional tables situated around the room provide parking places for glasses, and a few chairs ensure those who prefer to park themselves may do so.

Virtually any type of cuisine can be served in this style, but particular favourites are meltingly tender slow roasts, aromatic curries, seafood casseroles, warm salads and fresh ravioli with imaginative stuffings. For dessert, think light-as-a-feather steamed puddings, delectable ice-cream sundaes, bittersweet tortes or individual mousses, expertly created in an assortment of flavours and colours to appeal to the eyes as well as the taste buds.

You can serve a multi-course meal with choices all the way and really work that wow factor – mixing styles and flavours from far-flung corners of the globe, introducing intriguing and unusual dishes, while keeping less adventurous guests happy.

An added bonus is that you can fit more people into your room or marquee and make savings on table, chair and linen hire. So when you’re planning your party, whether your style is splendidly sophisticated or comfortably informal, the answer to keeping everyone happy is simple – go bowling!