Yes please, whenever we get the chance (see p62 for recipe inspiration) - but not with anything wind-blowable and breakable on the table. These plates look like china but are actually made of durable melamine. Gorgeous is the word. Shagreen dinner plates in jade, £20 (sale price) for a boxed set of 4; oka.com
Sharp relief
If you’re avoiding flying and have managed to book a cottage staycation, there’s one thing every half-keen cook needs to take: sharp knives. Food legend Prue Leith has launched a set with Lakeland that comes in its own securely fastened wipe-clean, easy-to-pack roll. The three knives are well balanced with smart bamboo handles trimmed in Prue’s signature red. £49.99 for the set; lakeland.co.uk