Someone skilled at across-the-table chit chat

• Table-talk adept
• One adept at table talk
• One who excels at table conversation

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Deipnosophist \Deip*nos"o*phist\ (d[imac]p*n[o^]s"[-o]*f[i^]st), n. [Gr. deipnosofisth`s; dei^pnon a meal + sofisth`s a wise man, sophist.] One of an ancient sect of philosophers, who cultivated learned conversation at meals.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"gourmand," 1650s, from Greek deipnosophistes "one learned in the mysteries of the kitchen," from deipnon "chief meal, dinner" (which is of unknown origin) + sophistes "master of a craft" (see sophist ). the word has come down thanks to "Deipnosophistai," ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. someone skilled at across-the-table chit chat

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. A master of the art of dining, particularly learned conversation in the manner of Athenaeus's characters.