In Europe we have just huge kitchens for that, or living rooms that double as dining ones. Unless your house is very very small and you're inviting a dozen peo

In Europe we have just huge kitchens for that, or living rooms that double as dining ones. Unless your house is very very small and you're inviting a dozen people may not work (hell, neither a classical dining room may though). But for what you describe, I don't see an issue.