
With dinner party enthusiast, Amber Mayfield.
For Amber Mayfield, founder of To Be Hosted and While Entertaining — the former being a boutique agency specializing in intimate dinners and immersive experiences and the latter, a yearly magazine that highlights Black culinarians and provides inspiration for cooking and gathering at home — entertaining should be simple.
It’s all about the people, delicious food and drink, good music, and conversing around a beautiful table. Read on for her five-step Friendsgiving guide and a tasty recipe, both of which I encourage you to utilize all holiday season long.
Friendsgiving is an opportunity to celebrate the start of the holiday season with the family we’ve built including friends, roommates, and co-workers. For some of us, Friendsgiving has become quite the feast. But I’m here to tell you that Friendsgiving does not have to be a big fuss. If you want want to keep it simple and small, I recommend a casual, late afternoon gathering with plenty of wine and more snackable menu. Does that sound more your style? Well you are in luck, I’ve got just the guide for you…
Send a casual invite and let your guests know upfront that the menu will consist of wine and light bites.
I recommend serving 5 to 6 finger foods, which can be a combination of homemade, semi-homemade, and store-bought (don’t hate the player). Here are a few menu ideas that are perfect for the fall season:
Hummus & Beet Chips: I believe every great story starts over chips and dip (and these are guilt-free).
Ricotta ‘n’ Fruit Dip (ricotta, blackberries, pomegranate seeds, honey): I like to serve this dip with sliced bread, sliced apples, or sliced pears.
Fig & Goat Cheese Toast, Mini Shrimp Skewers (or Shrimp Cocktail), Cocktail Meatballs, Deviled Eggs, Mini Apple Tarts and Sweet Potato Phyllos (recipe below) are also crowd favorites.
Browse Social Studies’ assortment of rentable looks and buy & keep goods — there’s something for every vibe and every occasion. Plus, a simple menu matched with chic tablewares will charm your guests (and they will think you tried way harder than you actually did)!
Head to your local wine shop and select bottles of red, white, and bubbly to complement your menu.
Select a playlist and prepare yourself to enjoy quality time with your favorite people.
While Entertaining Magazine Volume Two is now on sale—use code ENTERTAIN30 here for 30% off!
Leave a Reply