If you were cooking a meal to impress what would it be?

Always dauphinoise potatoes; Nigel Slater's version.

Then I quite like duck breasts with fat rendered down slowly on a low heat, and French beans or some kind of greens, with a ridiculously easy cherry sauce that consists of cherry jam reduced with red wine.

Boeuf Bourguignon, I agree, is also amazing. Or lamb shanks cooked in a similar way. Might be hard for 8 though as they are quite physically big.

For pudding, I love Green & Black's pear and ginger, chocolate frangipane tart, or sticky toffee pudding, or Nigella's chocolate Guinness cake. Or pavlova. I'm quite practised at puddings.

i would do both with the lasagna as the veggie option. Also I’d cook at least 3 chickens if I was serving 10 adults. You can make the lasagna in advanced freeze it and take with you

My own fave would be a beef bourginon with potatoes dauphinois. Followed by tiramisu

Both your menus sound good, I'd prefer the lasagna though, (I am assuming it doesn't have tomato sauce).

I roast chicken so often, I'd enjoy it however to cook to impress, how about coq au vin? Just chicken cooked in wine, with mushrooms and bacon. Skinless chicken pieces on the bone are better than using chicken breasts. Added a couple of recipes.

PS. I use peameal bacon when I make it, in place of bacon.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/slow-cooker-coq-au-vin

damndelicious.net/2022/01/08/easy-coq-au-vin/

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2001/nov/25/foodanddrink.shopping

You've said no beef, however if this was me I'd do a hearty beef stew with big chunks of carrot and roast potatoes; I'd probably do some mixed veg too.

Easy salad of rocket with grilled hallumi, avocado and pistachios with garlic oil and lemon wedges. Serve with simple fresh fish and quinoa.

I'd cook and freeze some things in advance at home.

My go to pudding is profiteroles and chocolate sauce. I freeze the profiteroles and chocolate sauce. On the day pop the pastry in the oven to puff and dry allow to cool, fill with cream, warm chocolate sauce in pan and drizzle over. Always a success.

If the other couples are outstanding cooks I think you are right not to try to hard to compete. Simple and tasty is the way to go. Why don’t you let husband enjoy the limelight with his signature dish and you could pre prep a fantastic pudding? Maybe a cheesecake, a clafoutis, a mousse or a trifle, anything that can be made ahead of time will work. Trifle is so retro it’s coming back!

I'd love the spinach and ricotta lasagne but it's not something my DH would choose in a million years. I suppose it depends what you think other pepple will enjoy. You can't go wrong with roast chicken.

Something I've cooked several times which is reasonably easy but absolutely dinner party worthy is the Ottolenghi Bridget Jones Salmon. I use some chopped preserved lemon skin rather than the fresh lemon zest but either would be lovely. I've served it with a simple risotto or some crushed roasted new potatoes with garlic and herbs and something like wilted spinach or tenderstem broccoli. It never lets me down.

https://ottolenghi.co.uk/pages/recipes/grilled-salmon-pine-nut-salsa

Both sound nice but I would probably do potato dauphinoise instead of fondant, it's less faff and more delicious!

Salmon risotto. Few ingredients, one big pot.

I'd hang up my cooking apron for the duration and let your DH do his speciality meal.

Enjoy your break.

My go to for impressing people is Delia Smiths individual beef en croute and her chocolate mousse for dessert…never fails

I love both. But I think your partners sounds great x