If your neighbours are prone to dropping by unexpectedly, or your colleagues like to invite themselves round on the spur of the moment, don't panic. Putting food on the table and presenting it with style is easier than you think. Simply stock up on some everyday ingredients and you'll be able to lay out an impressive spread at a moment's notice. 1. Cheese and biscuits You can't go wrong with cheese - a platter served with biscuits and grapes or sliced apple is the perfect luxury - so always have a good selection on hand. A trio of popular cheeses, such as brie, Stilton and mature cheddar, will appeal to all tastes. Or you could try mixing toasted walnuts, chopped apricots and sultanas with a soft cheese, to make a deliciously different spread for biscuits. Just remember to remove cheeses from the fridge as soon as your guests arrive, to allow their flavour to develop fully. 2. Pitta crisps and hummus Cut pitta bread into bite-sized triangles, brush with olive oil, and bake in the oven at 190ºC for about 15 minutes to make pita crisps. Store in a plastic bag in the freezer for up to two months as a treat for those impromptu guests. Serve with a shop-bought hummus dip, or make your own by blending together a can of chickpeas, a dash of lemon juice and as much garlic as you think your guests can handle. 3. Bruschetta Toast slices of crusty bread and rub with the cut side of a sliced garlic clove. Then top with a mixture of diced feta cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, shredded basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, to make brilliant bruschetta in a matter of minutes. 4. Olives Dishing up a bowl of olives is a colourful, tasty way to greet unexpected guests, so always have a couple of jars of black Kalamata and green Sicilian varieties in the cupboard. You can also chop up the olives and use as a salad garnish or sandwich filling. 5. Nuts Stock up on bags of pistachio or cashew nuts or an assortment of mixed nuts-nothing could be nicer for your guests to nibble on. You can also use nuts to add a rich texture and flavour to sauces, salads and desserts. 6. Seafood Buy smoked salmon in small 100-150g vacuum-sealed packets, and keep in your freezer. If guests stop by uninvited, the fish will defrost in no time to make a sophisticated appetiser or the focus of a light meal. For no-hassle nibbles, simply serve the salmon on squares of buttered brown or wholemeal bread; for an effortless dinner, just add a helping of new potatoes and salad. Alternatively, keep a 350g bag of cooked, frozen prawns handy, and you can put together a seafood meal in minutes. Just place the prawns in a colander and thaw under cold running water for five minutes before serving with seafood sauce. You can make your own with equal parts mayonnaise, tomato ketchup and double cream, plus a squeeze of lemon juice, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of paprika. 7. To drink As well as the usual tipples, it's always useful to have a good gourmet coffee and a few varieties of herbal teas, fruit juices and carbonated drinks in the house. And don't forget to make up plenty of ice cubes for those cold drinks. Try putting chunks of pineapple, whole grapes or slices of kiwi fruit into your ice trays with the water, to make a truly exotic addition to any glass.