Do you want to take your upcoming dinner party to the next level? We have just the thing for it – scented candles!
Chef and scent experts explain the best candle pairings for different meals – and the ones you should avoid.
With our sense of smell responsible for around 80% of what we taste, we’ve joined forces with a chef to uncover the ultimate scent and food combinations that will make meals a flavour sensation.
Norah Clark, Pastry Chef and Food Editor at Boyd Hampers 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.”
How To Create The Perfect Dining Experience With Candles
From pizza nights with friends to relaxing wine evenings, chef Norah Clark recommends the best scents to create the ultimate food and drink experience, and we detail the perfect fragrance oils to stock up on.
Pizza – Herb-infused Scents
Planning a pizza night? The right scents can evoke the feeling of a pizzeria, making the experience feel even more authentic. Norah explains: “Italian herb-infused scents like basil, oregano, and tomato leaf can evoke the essence of a pizzeria.”
Try: Lime, Basil & Mandarin Fragrance Oil
Curry – Aromatic Scents
Whether you’re a fan of heat or opt for something a little tamer, complementing spices is key with curry. Norah recommends, “Try scents like cardamom, cumin, and citrus to complement the aromatic spices in curry.”
Try: Cardamom Seed Essential Oil
Steak – Earthy, Smoky Scents
Opting for a smoky candle can make your steak taste even better. “Earthy and smoky scents, like cedarwood or mesquite, pair well with the robust flavours of steak”, Norah explains.
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.
Try: Deep Sea Minerals Fragrance Oil
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.”
Red Wine – Rich, Warm Scents
Red wine is deep and complex, and warm scents can add to the flavour experience. “Rich, warm scents like oak, dark cherry, and leather complement the complexity of red wine”, Norah explains.
Try: Tobacco & Oak Fragrance Oil
White Wine – Light, Crisp Scents
For a white wine, go for lighter scents that bring out the crisp, fresh taste of the wine. Norah suggests, “Light and crisp scents like green apple or citrus work well with white wine’s freshness.”
Try: Lemon & Lime Fragrance Oil
Salad – Fresh, Green Scents
Keep it fresh if you’re serving salad. “Green scents are ideal when enjoying a leafy salad. Fresh and green scents like mint, eucalyptus, and cucumber create a garden-like atmosphere”, Norah says.
Try: Aloe & Cucumber Fragrance Oil
Christmas Dinner – Warm, Earthy Scents
If you want to make this Christmas dinner one to remember, make sure you’re prepared with candles to complement the cooking. Norah says, “Opt for warm and earthy scents, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and rosemary, to create a festive atmosphere.”
Try: Santa’s Grotto Fragrance Oil
Christmas Pudding – Sweet, Spicy Scents
When it’s time to get dessert out, switch up the scents in the room to complement it. For a classic Christmas pudding, Norah explains that “Sweet and spicy scents like vanilla, clove, and orange zest enhance the dessert’s flavours”.
Coffee – Deep, Roasted Scents
Make your morning coffee even more enjoyable by burning a deep, sweet-scented candle. Norah recommends, “Deep, roasted scents like coffee beans and hazelnut enhance the coffee’s aroma”.
Try: Coffee Fragrance Oil
Food & Candle Pairing Tips
Are you planning a meal we haven’t detailed above? Norah has also offered expert advice on how to create the perfect pairings yourself. She recommends you focus on:
1. Balance
As with any scent, it’s important that your candle or wax melt isn’t overpowering “It should complement the cooking, not overshadow its natural aroma. Keep it subtle for the best results”.
2. Complement
You should aim to match scents with the food’s flavours, as well as the overall dining ambience. A warm, smoky scent can add to the vibe if you’re having a romantic, candlelit steak dinner. Similarly, if you’re having a light salad on a sunny day, a fresh, bright scent is ideal for the mood.
3. Experiment
Some of the best pairings come from taking a risk. Try a few different scents with your meals to discover new and unique matches.
4. Candle Placement
Make sure you’re being strategic when you place your candles “They should disperse scent without being overwhelming. For milder scents, you can light candles directly on the dining table, or dot them around the room if your scent is more powerful”.
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! To find the perfect scents for your next dinner party, explore our complete collection of fragrance oils.