It’s a Friday, I’m in the middle of an afternoon meeting with my team, and I notice my phone light up with a text from my husband Jason.

“Just ran into Jen and Patrick and invited them and their friends visiting from NC over for Supper. 7:30 cool?”

I reply with a 👍 and return focus to my team.

This happens all the time in my home and I love it. In fact, this happened all the time in my home growing up too. Both my parents worked full-time and yet we frequently had company for supper. I mean we were already a family of six, plus a dog and two cats, so what’s a few more, ya know?

My Dad would tell my Mom that ‘so-n-so’ was in town from the office and that he’d invited them over. Or my Mom would see a back-packer hiking their way to the local youth hostel. She’d pull over and offer to drive them and their heavy load the rest of the way. While in the car, they’d fall in love with my Mom (literally impossible not to) and delight in her invitation to pick them back up in an hour for supper. TRUE STORY.

I’ve learned that most people like to host but don’t do it often because they find it stressful.

I get it and I’m not here to tell you that hosting a dinner party in 15 minutes is not going to be stressful. I’m not even gonna tell you that hosting a dinner party with a month’s notice is easy. Believe me. I saw my Mom throw laundry in the closet, shout to my sisters and I to “Set the table!!!” while she ran to the freezer to grab some more meat, throwing it under the hot water to thaw. Then, “Peel the potatoes please, Christine.” she would exclaim, as she walked gracefully to the door to greet the guests who had just rang our door bell.

These are among the best memories of my childhood, so it’s no wonder that I grew up to have a life in hospitality. Mind you, I did not say “a career in hospitality,” I said life, because everything I do - both at work and at home - is for that joy and connection that happen with hospitality.

If I can leave my mark on the world in anything, may it be this.

Why?

I’ve suffered tremendous losses these last few years but my memories with those I’ve lost are rich and a plenty! Friendship matters. Relationships matter. Regular connection with those I love is the most important thing in life.

When you really take this on as a truth, it seems kinda silly to say no to hosting ever, right?

So, here’s my recipe for hosting success in 15 minutes flat:

INGREDIENTS

I do most of my grocery shopping online; usually twice per week. If you order delivery / take out often, you likely will only need to grocery shop once a week, but either way, in order to always say “yes!” to hosting, you must grocery shop at least once a week.

On your shopping list, always include the makings for a cheese plate. At a minimum you should have the following stocked in your refrigerator and pantry at all times:

• 4 cheeses (a blue, a soft -like brie, a hard -like manchego, and comte, swiss or gruyere)

• nuts and dried or fresh fruit

• crackers or chips

I always buy at least two quick-cooking proteins in generous quantities. This is usually chicken, salmon, pork chops or ground turkey and loose sausage (for making meatballs). If I end up having a week where I don’t host, then I freeze the meat or make it twice for my family in different ways.

I always buy fresh veggies. For greens in summer, it’s lots of salad. In winter, it’s more broccoli crowns, green beans or brussels sprouts. I always have a few squash on hand all year round. -I love kabocha and acorn the most!

I always buy fresh fruit. At minimum, this is lemons and limes, as tart citrus juice or zest brightens most any meal, plus it’s essential for cocktails. Depending on the season, I also will grab grapes, berries or apples/pears. A bowl of fruit is a staple in my home, so when it comes to hosting, it’s already ready for service!

I always make sure my pantry is stocked with quick rice and pasta especially for any kiddos that join. And it probably goes without saying, but my kitchen is never without: salt and pepper, oil (high temp and olive), white wine vinegar, fresh garlic, canned tomatoes, some fresh and dried herbs, butter, milk, yogurt and cream.

Last but certainly not least, I keep my bar stocked with wine, whiskey and mezcal and my freezer always has a few large, sexy ice cubes. 🧊

METHOD (to hosting in 15 minutes)

PREP

1. Pick a day of the week and make it your goal to repeatedly host on this day. At my house it’s called “Sunday-Funday” 💃

2. Commit to saying “YES!” to hosting, and look for opportunities to spontaneously invite people.

3. Grocery shop, at least once a week, for the ingredients above, and keep it up!

PARTY TIME

1. Take a deep breath and embrace the fact that the fun comes from “the doing” of entertaining. Your food will not be all ready and your table will not be all set. Stay calm and SMILE, and when your guests ask “Can I help?”, let them! Then…

2. Pull the cheese out of the refrigerator to warm up.

3. Make sure your dishwasher is empty.

4. Turn on some music.

5. Light a candle or two.

6. Check that your bathroom has a fresh hand towel, hand soap, toilet paper and the toilet seat is down.

7. Make your cheese plate. Here’s how to make it Flaweless. (Right about now is probably when your guests will arrive but if they arrive before the cheese is out, don’t worry! Pause your food prep and get a drink in their hand. Then go back to the cheese.)

8. Make dinner. (My blog is busting with easy and quick recipes if you need some inspiration!)

9. Set the table.

10. Eat dinner.

11. Above all, enjoy the magical joy and connection that comes with hosting.