Former ballerina Jessie-Sierra Ross — the voice behind the “Straight to the Hips, Baby” weblog — is aware of a factor or two in regards to the artwork of presenting one thing stunning.
Rising up, she writes, she liked serving to her mother bake and observing icons like Julia Baby and Martha Stewart make culinary magic. As her profession into skilled dancing progressed, she discovered that function sophisticated her relationship with meals — she describes feeling like she needed to deny herself decadence in what she ate, however she continued to develop an appreciation for plating and the artistry of a well-laid desk.
Retiring from skilled dancing gave her time to dig into cooking and internet hosting events, the place she discovered a profitable method. Now, she’s passing that recommendation on in her e-book, “Seasons Around the Table: Effortless Entertaining with Floral Tablescapes & Seasonal Recipes” (Schiffer, $36).
“I want you to shake off the notion that home entertaining is a thing of the past, that it’s something reserved for that generation of grandmothers who attended antiquated etiquette classes and innately knew the difference between a dessert and salad fork,” she writes. “Home entertaining isn’t about being perfect, and it isn’t about doing everything. It’s about having the best time possible with family and friends.”
For a Hanukkah tablescape, she advises, deal with a shade palette of blue and yellow-orange. Add recent blooms like roses, purple lisianthus, aster, Queen Anne’s Lace and stalks of millet. Add element and texture with blue desk runners, dreidels and chocolate gelt — and scrumptious meals, like basic latkes with candy or savory toppings.
New Yr’s Eve cocktails? Deal with shiny whites, accented with touches of inexperienced and gold, and flowers like roses, hydrangea, willow branches and greens. Use classic cocktail glasses, candles and loads of Champagne, Ross says.
