'RHONJ' Star Dolores Catania Shares Her Go-To Secret For Hosting Like A Pro

“Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dolores Catania knows how to throw a party. While it’s not all glitz and glamour behind the scenes, Catania has found a go-to trick to help the party planning and hosting go a little smoother and a lot shinier.

Through a new partnership, Catania shares her go-to hosting secret, offers a peek into her wedding planning, reflects on the current season of “The Traitors,” and opens up about being a “friend of” on the new series, “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island," exclusively with The Blast.

Catania, known for throwing a memorable event, told The Blast exclusively that a big issue she was having is now solved thanks to one specific product - Finish Jet Dry. She said it's helped her so much that she partnered with the brand to get the word out because it's important to always make a sparkling first impression, which often starts with shining dishes.

"I found a solution to a problem I was having with the residue left on the dishes. Me putting them away and then going to serve people on dishes, or cloudy silverware, is totally embarrassing," she told The Blast. "I googled what would be the best thing for that and Jet Dry came up and I tried it. And I am not a gatekeeper so I wanted to spread the word."

Catania shared that Finish Jet Dry, with its 3-in-1 action, is now a must-have staple in her life and explained that it's solved that pesky issue of cloudy glassware, dinnerware, and silverware.

Catania is so excited to share the word about Jet Dry's benefits and how it can help you make a sparkling first impression that she will be spotlighting it at the upcoming South Beach Wine and Food Festival, February 20-22.

"Drinking your wine out of a beautiful wine glass just makes it taste better. Jet Dry is what makes it perfect all the time," she said. "I love sharing it with everybody."

Catania, who said she "loves a theme," is excited for her favorite holiday - Valentine's Day.

"I get a kick out of it. I have my Valentine's dishware out because it's my favorite holiday," she said. "Everything is so cute, pink bows, hearts, and to have these things, it just brightens this time of year. The sun hasn't been out in New Jersey, and it's cold out, so I want to brighten up the home."

When asked about her perfect Valentine's Day, she said she wants to be "treated right."

"I feel like a woman should be made to feel special on Valentine's Day," she said. "And as women, we should get together and make it a day for us - Galentine's. And if it's Valentine's Day, the man in your life should make you feel very appreciated for the love that you give."

This year and next year will include some wedding fun for the reality star. Her son Frankie is getting married later this year and she's currently planning her wedding for next year.

When asked if planning has been stressful, she said she's more focused on her son's wedding at the moment.

"I don't think it's going to be stressful. I am in a stage in my life where if I see something that I like, I can have it, and don't have to worry about how I am going to get it," she said. "At 55, it's different than planning when you are 19 or 20 or when I got married at 24. It's a different stage."

She continued, "But I am more interested right now in planning my son Frankie's wedding. He's getting married in August in Portugal, which is really exciting."

As for her own wedding in 2027, she's thinking perhaps a New Year's Eve wedding, but fans will just have to stay tuned to see what she decides to do.

While "Housewives" fans are used to seeing Catania shining bright on "Real Housewives of New Jersey," they'll also get to see her on the new "Real Housewives of Rhode Island," where she will be featured as a "friend of."

When asked how the experience differed from "RHONJ," she said, "It was a totally relaxed experience as a friend."

"There is so much less pressure as a friend of, and it is so fun," she shared. "And I have to say, the girls treated me like I was part of their life forever. They embraced me, were so respectful to me and as far as including me, they were inclusive in every way. I felt like I had been friends with them forever."

While on the topic of "RHONJ," Catania said she has plenty of standout memories from the show.

"One of them was my charity softball game that I do for Maimonides Breast Cancer Center every year and realizing that I was able, with my friends and cast, to fill a stadium. There were like 4,000 people there and I looked on the field and saw everybody come together," she said. "It was just overwhelmingly unbelievable to me, like how did this all come about in my life?"

Another favorite memory for the reality star was the Ireland girls' trip. She said it felt like the cast's "last bit of camaraderie together."

"We all got along, we all came together as a group," she said. "We fought, we cried, we laughed, we hugged it out and I thought it was just really the last of what 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' was supposed to be."

Catania competed on season 3 of “The Traitors” and ultimately became the first Bravo star to win. 

The show gathers a group together, some are “traitors” and others are “faithfuls,” to compete for a cash prize. The “traitors” must quietly sabotage the group and eliminate players without being discovered. The “faithfuls” try to uncover who’s deceiving them before it’s too late. The show includes challenges, tense voting sessions, and a fun level of drama.

During Catania's time on the show, she said she felt "overwhelming gratitude" for being part of it, and that it was "the best time of my life." One memory that sticks out for her is hanging out of a helicopter over a ring of fire at the end.

"Here I am, suspended underneath the helicopter under all these trees and land in the beautiful Highlands," she said. "I am like, how did I get so lucky to be here?"

As for advice she would share for contestants of the next season, she said, "just be yourself."