Every month, I’ll be sharing a few of my favourite hosting discoveries, the quiet details that make gatherings feel more thoughtful, more relaxed, and more connected. Here are three things I’m loving at the table right now:
1. Serving salads & Veg on a bed of hummus
This has quietly become one of my favourite ways to serve salads.
A generous swipe of hummus at the base of the plate means you don’t need an elaborate dressing. It adds creaminess, tang, and depth and suddenly the salad feels intentional, not like an afterthought.
It’s also beautiful. Guests scoop through layers, flavours mingle naturally, and the whole thing feels considered with very little effort.
2. AddiNG character with eclectic pieces
I love tables that feel collected rather than curated. Pieces that spark conversation, that make people smile, that feel like they’ve lived a life before arriving at your table. I was gifted these gold snail salt and pepper shakers, a gold seashell serving spoon and I thrifted this antique heavy gold candle holders. When I say I’m absolutely obsessed? I’m already planning my next gathering.
Tables don’t need to be perfectly matched to feel special. Thrifted finds, one-off pieces, and playful details add warmth and spark conversation. These are the details people remember. They make a table feel personal, warm, and considered without spending a fortune.
Character lives in the details.
3. Brining: a quiet hosting insurance policy
Whether it’s chicken or duck, a simple brine is the most foolproof way to ensure juicy, flavourful meat — especially when you’re cooking for people.
Here’s my simple, no-fail brine:
4 litres cold water
¼ cup salt
¼ cup sugar
Aromatics of choice (bay leaves, peppercorns, garlic, herbs, citrus)
Dissolve the salt and sugar in the water, add your aromatics, and cool completely. Submerge your protein completely. Brine overnight or at least 4 hours. Rinse, pat dry, and cook as usual (NB: do not add anymore additional salt when cooking)
It’s one of those behind-the-scenes steps that makes everything feel effortless later.
Love,
V