Munch the movies: hosting a dinner party movie screening
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Benvenuto! Welcome to DINNER AND A MOVIE, our blog and YouTube series where we bring iconic films to life through movie-inspired recipes and unforgettable dinner party menus. In each episode, we recreate dishes from the silver screen so you can host the ultimate dinner and a movie night at home.
This time, like prodigal son Michael Corleone, we’re returning to the familiar embrace of THE GODFATHER. Over 50 years since its release, The Godfather is still widely hailed as one of the greatest films of all time, and what better way to celebrate this legendary classic than with a themed dinner party?
Few movies intertwine food into the storytelling quite like this one. From bubbling pots of Sunday gravy to the iconic line “leave the gun, take the cannoli” food in The Godfather isn't just background, it's part of the language of love, loyalty, and power. This menu brings those flavours to your own table, with Italian recipes inspired by the film that are perfect for hosting friends, family, or your very own consigliere.
You’ll find all the written recipes from the episode linked below, from rich, rustic sauces to sweet Sicilian treats. If you haven’t watched the full episode yet, it’s an offer you can’t refuse: packed with cooking tips, fun film facts, and more than a few bad dad jokes. Watch it here, and be sure to subscribe for monthly cinema-inspired dinner party adventures.
Welcome to La Famiglia. 🥀
Love food in film? Check out our Ratatouille dinner party. for more cinematic feasting.
THE TABLE:
We love to throw together a tablescape with items we already have on hand, and then pick up just one or two new items to really nail the aesthetic of the movie. Our theme for this table was 'Mafia Boss having lunch at Nonna's'. Here's what we chose...
For the centrepiece, we put together a fruit bowl with an abundance of citrus, and a couple of drapes of grapes. It as an eye catching moment that you can easily throw together from the supermarket, and bonus points for doubling up as an after dinner snack.
We've started a new tradition of creating a printed menu on the free version of Canva and then printing it on a piece of card. This is such a good way to have a themed item on the table that you can throw together in a few minutes, and virtually for free!
This crochet tablecloth is the stuff Nonna's dreams are made of...
Red roses are an integral part of the iconography of the film, and you can make a cheap supermarket bunch go far, by dividing them amongst lots of little bud vases, and scattering them all over the table.
Bizarrely, we happened to have this scarily realistic looking prop gun lying around from a TV show one of us previously worked on. It's been collected dust for years but now, it's finally having a moment! A nod to the classic line that inspired our dessert "leave the gun and take the cannoli" if you fancy, you can pick up this less intimidating looking version for your table.
These citrus shaped and scented candles scream Italian summer, and continue the fruit theme beautifully.
THE MENU
STARTER
We've swapped out a whole executed branzino for the Sicilian classic
Involtini di pesce spada (Swordfish Rolls)
LUCA BRASI SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES
Features at 53 mins & 10 secs
CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE
MAIN COURSE
There can be no The Godfather inspired meal without...
CLEMENZA'S SPAGHETTI
Features at 56 mins & 30 secs
CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE
DESSERT
One of the most celebrated lines in cinema serves as the
inspiration for our dessert. Leave the gun...
TAKE THE CANNOLI
Served at 54 mins & 55 secs
CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE
