Mumsnet users share who they'd invite for dinner after lockdown with Barilla

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Lockdown measures are still firmly in place and getting together with friends and family can feel like a distant memory, and it’s easy to daydream about what we’ll do once our daily lives begin to resemble our old version of normality again, including inviting friends or family over. With that in mind, Barilla would like to hear about how you’ve hosted and socialised during lockdown and who you’re most looking forward to welcoming into your home for a big bowl of pasta once this is over.

Have you missed hosting family and friends? Watch Barilla’s cookalong from last week and create a virtually () perfect Italian night with Gennaro Contaldo.

Here’s what Barilla has to say: “Italians love nothing more than getting friends and family around to share good food and good times. Barilla is the biggest family pasta-maker in Italy, so we’re proud to be right at the heart of those moments. Lots of people have been eating our authentic pasta on lockdown, all around the world. But we know the key ingredient is the other people around the table. So we’ve been looking for ways to help people play host – even if that means, for now, doing so at a distance.”

How are you hosting or taking part in social events during lockdown? Perhaps you’ve been hosting quizzes with friends, taking part in virtual cook alongs or group Zoom calls? Are you eager to host a dinner party with friends once this is over, or to simply have your sister over for drinks once the kids have gone to bed?

All who post below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher towards a weekly food shop (from a supermarket of your choice) provided by Barilla.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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My single brother in law and my brother both who have been having a hard time lately. I would love to have a little "do" to cheer them both up.

My sister and her family. She works so hard and has no love of cooking, and it is my absolute pleasure to treat her and her family to a special meal occasionally. I'd usually have done her a meal at least once a month, but it has been 5 months since I last invited her. She's shielding so likely to be quite some time yet.

My best friend who shares my love for cooking. We cook together, and over lockdown have been buying the same cookbooks and doing online cook alongs with one another. Can't wait to cook with her in person again

i did a virtual cook along thing with a friend, it worked out well but won't be repeating - too much faff with the laptop getting splashed, wifi is crap in the kitchen - so logistics working against me!

My sisters. We will eat drink and be merry all night. Can't wait

I used to have my dd’s friend and his family over for a big meal together. I have a joint in the freezer ready for when we can all do this again.

I cannot wait to have friends round for a barbecue. My husband is South African, so it's a braai for us.. and our favourite thing to cook is steak.. sliced into slivers from the fire..

I'd invite my closest friend and her husband. Good food, good wine and great conversation....miss it so much.

As many friends and family as I am allowed. Plus my children's friends as they have missed out on so much of life. And there would be lots of good food.

I'd like to have Joanna Lumley over for dinner. I've been watching her travel show on TV and would love to hear her stories about where she has been and what she has been up to. She seems so lovely and genuine.

I have 4 sisters I am really close to and id love to have a dinner and good catch up with them all

I have missed socialising with my "mum" friends most. I am really looking forward to being able to host them and their families again one day (assuming the rules will allow this). A lovely homely meal, shared around a busy and chatty table is good for the soul.

Cannot wait to have our friends over for dinner while the kids play together. We've really mm issued everyone this summer

My mum and dad and sister

I cannot wait to have my parents over 😍

Definitely friends and family. In the garden. Red wine , good food, lots of love and laughter. Can't wait!!

My 93 year old fil, my ds, dil and grandson. And bojo!

I've resisted having anybody over until things have really settled. We've made tutorials for each other to try and recreate our signature dishes. Hopefully Christmas will be our first gathering - my mum, sister and brothers.

My friends who I miss dreadfully

my sister and Mum

I usually go away with a group of friends once or twice a year. Fingers crossed we can still do our new year house party...

My good friend and my daughter would love all her friends round to play

My older brother has online quizzes that we do that is fun. We make it into a competition with real prizes so adds that little extra incentive.

We always do facetime calls though with every family member. It's not the same obviously, but better than nothing.

I'd love to have my friend who is shielding due to having had a kidney transplant over, along with our group of friends to really celebrate life. I miss seeing them and none of them have met my baby girl yet as she was born in May in lockdown.

Definitely my sister ❤️❤️ miss her so much - can not wait for wine night and a nice meal when we are allowed.

My beautiful parents who are in Switzerland 💜💜