You already know how much we adore Kinfolk! So imagine our excitement when we had the pleasure of catching up with Nathan Williams, Editor of Kinfolk! Nathan doled out his expert advice on dining, table setting, springtime dishes and his current literary inspirations. See below for the full rundown!
On creating a relaxed vibe while entertaining
I always try to involve friends and guests in the meal preparation. It’s tempting to plan the food to come out of the oven the minute they arrive, with a pre-set table and ice in the glasses, but this feels more formal and stiff to me. Most people enjoy having something to do while talking and catching up – it breaks the ice. We do this with our Kinfolk dinner series as well; everyone is given a task as they arrive (setting the table, opening wine, lighting candles) and it seems to immediately put them at ease as they help.
Springtime Dishes
The menu should definitely evolve with the seasons and reflect what is available at the time and the dishes that will feel appropriate. These are a few of my recent favorites that seem suitable for spring.
Blood Orange, Prosecco & Thyme Sorbet
Go-To Table Setting
Low glass tumblers, plain white or ivory cloth napkins, well-used candles, and sprigs of rosemary.
Current Literary Inspirations
I’ve been reading Bringing It to the Table by Wendell Berry as inspiration for our next volume of Kinfolk, as well as keeping up with a few of my favorite magazines: Smith Journal, Anthology, and Monocle.
And make sure to check out Kinfolk’s current issue—a beautiful tome on everyday entertaining!
