The Art of Hosting
(and Actually Enjoying it)
So many of my friends tell me they find hosting stressfulāand I get it. But, as the best hosts and the ones who do it a lot, know: there is a playbook to doing it on the reg, in a way that sparks joy.
Hereās my recipe for an easy gathering anytime, even with kids in the mix:
A concept: whatās the party about?
A group of friends: whoās coming?
A plan to execute: how you pulling this off?
First up this summer?
A Coastal Nonna Dinner Party at my houseā¦
Hey Cesca, whatās for dinner?
The number one thing I get asked by my friends is what Iām making for dinner (second only to where to dine out in various cities, but I digressā¦) Itās a universal conundrumābecause dinner happens every damn night. For some, that reality is a source of existential dread. For me, itās 30 minutes of me-time.
Hereās how I think about it. You donāt need to be a culinary genius, domestic goddess or a cookbook junkie to be a great home cookā¦
You donāt need a recipeāyou need a repertoire.
You can make it nice, anytime
On Eagle Street in Newburyport, hosting friends and family is just how we doāon a weekday, weekend, or whenever we need to spark joy. Weāre communal beings after all, so gathering over good food is just how we get together.
Iāve been addicted to all things food since I caught the bug watching endless Food Network episodes and first subscribed to Gourmet in middle schoolāand now after many years working in restaurants, food media, and tech, Iām back to the kitchen with my big eating husband and two hungry kids.
My career in food taught me: you donāt need a recipeābut you do need a few core skills, a repertoire, and a plan. Plus, cooking should be fun.
Join me at home, where having fun while you feed yourself (and the masses) is what itās all about.






