All Of It – "Dan Pelosi Wants to Help You Throw a Dinner Party"

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Dan Pelosi, aka Grossy Pelosi (Cookbook Author, Instagram personality)
Air Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart, features Dan Pelosi, also known as Grossy Pelosi, celebrating the release of his new cookbook "Let's Party: Recipes and Menus for Celebrating Every Day." The conversation dives into the art of hosting accessible, joyful dinner parties for any space or occasion. Dan shares practical advice, memorable party anecdotes, and walks listeners through some of his favorite menus—covering everything from menu planning, prepping ahead, and making the most of small apartments to handling dietary restrictions and curating a warm atmosphere. The episode features lively listener participation, laughter, and down-to-earth entertaining wisdom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Menus, Not Just Recipes

• Dan’s Approach: Dan structures his cookbook around menus rather than individual recipes, aiming to answer "what goes with what" and "how do you pull off a whole meal."

  "I really wanted to answer the question of, like, what does make a good menu...and how do you do it without it all being cold or burnt?" – Dan ([03:06])

• Menus include not just dishes, but also a cooking and prep order—what’s okay at room temperature, what’s best served hot, and what can be made ahead.

The Joy and Comfort in Planning

• Growing up Italian American, the presence—and knowledge—of a menu was always central to family gatherings:

  "A menu is kind of the thing that calms me. Right. So as a host, if I know what I'm making and how I'm gonna get there, that calms me." – Dan ([03:53])

• Encourages hosts to plan thoroughly so they can relax and enjoy their own party.

Practical Hosting Advice

The Golden Rule: Read the Recipe First

• Read every recipe from start to finish before beginning; avoid last-minute surprises.

  "It's like jumping into a pool and not knowing there's a shark in there." – Dan ([05:24])

How Much Food?

• Dan designs recipes for 6-8 people but insists on adaptability ("I need the bios of everyone coming!" – [06:11]). Err on the side of too much—leftovers are a bonus!

The "Grossy Pelosi" Attitude

• Nickname from Never Been Kissed—spirit of not taking yourself too seriously; enjoy cooking and hosting with humor and friendliness.

  "Don't take it too serious. Like, have fun. Laugh at yourself before you laugh at anyone else." – Dan ([07:07])

Pre-Party Preparation Essentials

• Deep clean your space (especially bathrooms and the refrigerator); it’s less about impressing guests and more about your peace of mind ([08:04], [16:22]).
• Restock pantry basics: Salt, pepper, olive oil, pasta—be ready for emergencies or spontaneous gatherings ([08:38]).

The Power of Make-Ahead Dishes

• Many menus and recipes are designed for prep-ahead, from lasagna to sauces; Dan is an unapologetic "make-ahead person" ([09:07]).

Entertaining in Small Spaces

The "Mug Party" Philosophy

• If you don’t have a table, embrace it. Dan narrates how, in his tiny West Village apartment, he threw parties using only mugs—serving soups, salads, even sundae desserts—all eat-with-a-spoon fare ([10:27]).

  "My mug runneth over because you're so blessed to be able to throw a party anywhere." – Dan ([10:20]) "If you're gonna fill a mug with marinara, I do suggest you should drink it." – Dan ([11:25])

• Listeners are encouraged to make do with what they have—folding tables, floor seating, creative containers—and prioritize coziness and connection over formality ([18:43]).

Table Setting Pragmatism

• Use whatever works as servingware; no need for Pinterest perfection:

  "If you put the sheet pan down, who doesn't want to eat the food right out of the pan?... There's an honesty to that." – Dan ([13:38])

  • Scented candles, however, are a dealbreaker:

    "Don't put a scented candle on the table because we want to smell the food, not, you know, the like, Juniper Breeze Bath and Body Works candle." – Dan ([14:49])

Listener Calls: Community Tips and Questions

Go-To Recipes From Listeners

• Chicken Provencal in a Dutch oven—impressive and hands-off ([15:28])
• Pineapple upside-down cake—“the trick is to melt the butter and brown sugar together first” ([16:51])
• Mussels for groups: quick, fancy, minimalist prep ([18:46])
• Cheese platters, pantry staples, and easy pot pies ([27:15])

Tips and Wisdom From Dan and Listeners

• Clean your fridge!—guests might peek in there ([16:23])
• Don’t wait for the “perfect” matching bowls or fancy dinnerware:

  "Don’t wait to have people over until you have matching bowls." – Caller Rachel ([26:30])

• Accommodate dietary restrictions by sharing your menu in advance, asking questions, and being flexible:

  "It’s a way to signal that you’re caring for them and you see them...and then the second thing is I think that...you really can do it all." – Dan ([25:28])

Pets at Parties

• Ideally, include pets as part of the warmth of the gathering—unless their food-begging skills are too distracting! ([12:38])

Highlighted Menus & Recipes

Farmer’s Market Feast ([19:47])

• Embrace seasonal produce, from salads to roasted chicken and herb steak tips.
• Standout dessert: Roasted figs and goat cheese parfait

  "You roast your figs with honey and rosemary...then you whip some goat cheese into a mousse...I'm telling you, it is one of the best recipes in the book." – Dan ([20:31])

The Tomato Party ([21:50])

• It’s “Tomato Girl Summer” again. Why salt tomatoes?

  "The salt literally like makes your tomato juicier than it even already is. And it brings the flavor and the juice." – Dan ([22:05])

• Tomato Pie: Buttery, salty crust filled with layers of tomato, Dijon, mayo, cheese, then baked and cooled ([22:47])
• Tomato Granita:

  "It’s three ingredients in a blender...and then you put it in the freezer...you just scrape it and make it fluffier and fluffier. And it is so good." – Dan ([23:34])

Picnics in September ([24:07])

• Sandwiches, handhelds (lobster roll, turkey club, grilled veg), and make-ahead salads.

• "Handheld stuff for the picnic is a win...things that carry well, that can be served room temperature and easy to clean up." – Dan ([24:24])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the power of a menu:

  "If I'm going to your house, like, honey, I'd love to know what we're gonna eat. So I know how to prepare." – Dan ([03:53])

• On last-minute recipe surprises:

  "It's like jumping into a pool and not knowing there's a shark in there." – Dan ([05:24])

• On authenticity:

  "It doesn’t need to look like Pinterest right now...there’s an honesty to that." – Dan ([13:38])

• On mismatched dishes:

  "Don’t wait to have people over until you have matching bowls." – Rachel, caller ([26:30])

• On family inspiration:

  "That's my mom, Jackie...My grandfather, who's 104, is in the book...These are the people who taught me how to entertain." – Dan ([28:22])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 03:06 | Why structure a cookbook around menus? | | 05:19 | The vital rule: read any recipe start-to-finish | | 08:04 | Why to deep clean your space before a party | | 09:07 | Make-ahead dishes to reduce day-of stress | | 10:20 | The "mug party" origin and philosophy | | 13:38 | Pragmatism and honesty with tableware | | 14:49 | Setting the mood—candles and flowers | | 15:28 | Listener: one-pot chicken Provencal | | 16:22 | Listener: always clean the fridge! | | 18:43 | Caller: you don't need the "perfect" space | | 19:51 | Farmer’s Market Menu and roasted fig parfait | | 21:50 | The tomato party menu, including tomato pie and granita | | 24:07 | September picnic essentials | | 25:13 | Handling dietary restrictions with ease | | 26:30 | Don’t wait until everything's perfect to host | | 28:22 | Family stories and cookbook photography |

Tone and Takeaway

Dan Pelosi brings a warm, exuberant, and honest approach to entertaining, encouraging everyone—with any space or skill level—to celebrate and connect, whether it’s with a mug of marinara or a perfectly set table. The episode is filled with joyful encouragement, practical wisdom, and the powerful message that hospitality is about people, not perfection.

"I want to share that with people...so they'll throw enough parties that they don't even know they're doing it. They're just—it's just part of their regular day." – Dan ([17:56])