The Rise of Luxury Dinner Parties: A Status Symbol in 2025
As the world navigates the economic uncertainties of 2025, a new trend has emerged on social media platforms like TikTok: the luxury dinner party. With the rise of expensive groceries and exclusive culinary experiences, hosting an extravagant dinner party has become a status symbol, showcasing one’s wealth and affluence. But is this phenomenon a recession indicator, or simply a new way for the elite to flaunt their riches?
Historically, food has always been a status symbol. In the 18th century, pineapples were a rare and coveted luxury, while in the 19th century, only the wealthiest households could afford to serve celery. Today, with the increasing cost of groceries, fresh food has become a luxury item, with "hotspots" like viral TikTok bakeries and high-end grocery stores like Erewhon offering exclusive and expensive products.
According to Andrea Hernández, author of the food and beverage trends newsletter Snaxshot, "Groceries-as-luxury is definitely a post-2020 sentiment, and as we’re halfway in the decade, it’s no surprise to see it permeate into the mainstream." This trend is not only reflected in the way people shop for groceries but also in the way they showcase their culinary experiences on social media. Influencers and celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Lori Harvey are flaunting their luxurious dinner parties, complete with expensive ingredients, elegant table settings, and gourmet cuisine.
The rise of dinner parties as a status symbol raises questions about the state of the economy and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. As Hernández notes, "Food scarcity and grocery prices skyrocketing is real, and our generation made fancy smoothies a form of affordable affluence." In a world where the ability to buy eggs has become a luxury, hosting a dinner party has become a way for the wealthy to showcase their affluence and exclusivity.
While the rise of luxury dinner parties may not be a traditional recession indicator, it is a cultural cue that cannot be ignored. As Megan Wahn, a writer for Bon Appetit, observes, "Food and clothing used to be essentials for survival — now they’ve come together as things to enjoy. They’re objects of spectacle." In 2025, the difference between the wealthy and the poor is increasingly visible, and the luxury dinner party has become a symbol of that divide. As the world continues to navigate economic uncertainty, one thing is clear: the way we eat and showcase our culinary experiences has become a reflection of our social status and economic power.
