These dinners are often divided into three or more courses. Appetizers consisting of options such as soup or salad, precede the main course, which is followed by the dessert. A survey by Jacob's Creek, an Australian winemaker, found the average evening meal time in the U.K. to be 7:47pm. Parties A dinner party is a social gathering at which people congregate to eat dinner. Dinners exist on a spectrum, from a basic meal, to a state dinner. Ancient Roman During the times of Ancient Rome, a dinner party was referred to as a convivium, and was a significant event for Roman emperors and senators to congregate and discuss their relations. English In London (–), dinner parties were formal occasions that included printed invitations and formal RSVPs. The food served at these parties ranged from large, extravagant food displays and several meal courses to more simple fare and food service. Activities sometimes included singing and poetry reciting, among others. Formal A formal dinner has several requirements. First, it requires the participants to wear an evening attire such as a tuxedo, with either a black or white tie; second, all food is served from the kitchen; third, "neither serving dishes nor utensils are placed on the table. All service and table clearing is performed by butlers and other service staff;" fourth, multiple courses are served; and finally there is an order of service and seating protocols. See also Early bird dinner Formal hall Snack Supper Tea References Bibliography Flanders, Judith, The Victorian House: Domestic Life from Childbirth to Deathbed, 2003, Harper Perennial, Strong, Roy, Feast: A History of Grand Eating, 2002, Jonathan Cape, Further reading Gallery External links "Dinner" definition from Cambridge.org Wikibooks Cookbook BBC article on history of dinner Meals