NEVER burn vanilla candles with steak! Experts reveal dos & don’ts for the perfect dinner party

It turns out certain smells could change how your food tastes in a good or very bad way.  

Scent experts and a chef are revealing the scent and food combinations to help host the ultimate dinner party – and which scents could actually RUIN your guests’ meals.  

Vanilla – one of the most popular scents in people’s homes – can actually spoil your steak dinner, as the sweet aroma sends conflicting signals to your brain. “Our sense of smell is responsible for around 80% of what we taste,” explains Nicky Story, founder of Supplies for Candles: 

“When you eat a steak, you expect to instantly experience a savoury sensation. A surprising, sweet aroma such as vanilla can confuse your olfactory system and make it more challenging for the brain to appreciate the steak’s natural flavours”  

How to create the perfect dining experience with candles  

Norah Clark, Pastry Chef and Food Editor, explains, “Scented candles can create a multisensory dining experience, enhancing flavours and setting the right mood. The key is to harmonise scents with the meal, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the food and drink.” 

From pizza nights with friends to relaxing wine evenings, these are the best scents to make different foods taste better for the ultimate food and drink experience. 

1.     Steak – earthy, smoky scents 

Opting for a smoky candle can make your steak taste even better. “Earthy and smoky scents, like a cedarwood or mesquite candle, can pair well with the robust flavours of steak,” Norah explains. 

 2. Pizza – herb-infused scents 

Planning a pizza night? Scents can evoke the feeling of a pizzeria, Norah explains: “Italian herb-infused scents like basil, oregano, and tomato leaf can evoke the essence of a pizzeria.”   

3. Curry – aromatic scents 

Complementing spices is key with curry. Norah recommends, “Try scents like cardamom, cumin, and citrus to complement the aromatic spices in curry.” 

4. Prawn cocktail – fresh, oceanic scents  

For a prawn cocktail, choose lighter, fresh scents. “Go for fresh and oceanic scents like sea breeze or cucumber to match the seafood’s freshness,” Norah recommends. 

5. Chocolate – indulgent scents 

Make chocolate treats even more indulgent by choosing sweet scents. Norah says, “Indulgent and sweet scents like cocoa, vanilla, and caramel enhance the chocolate experience.” 

6. Salad – fresh, green scents 

Keep it fresh if you’re serving salad. “Fresh and green scents like mint, eucalyptus, and cucumber create a garden-like atmosphere,” Norah says.

Nicky Story, founder of Supplies For Candles, comments: 

“Candles are the perfect way to set the ideal dinner party ambience – but it’s important to choose candles that work with the dishes you’re planning. When pairing candles with food, you engage multiple senses and can perfectly complement the flavours on the plate with harmonising scents. Remember, subtlety is key; you want the candle’s aroma to complement, not overpower, your dish.” 

For more advice on creating the ultimate dining experience with scented candles, visit the Supplies For Candles blog: https://suppliesforcandles.co.uk/candle-college/the-ultimate-scented-candle-pairings-for-the-perfect-dinner-party