Welcome to Come On Over, a Food52 publication about internet hosting life’s huge and little moments. It’s the place we share our private suggestions and tips, from modern-day etiquette—sneakers off or sneakers on?—to creating further seating out of each floor of an house. This week, Kelly is internet hosting a French fête.
This text was created in partnership with Maker’s Mark.
I spent a semester on the Sorbonne in Paris simply as I used to be turning 21. To say it was formative is an understatement—Parisiennes have life on lock. Lengthy, luxurious lunches (al fresco, all yr spherical), dinners that final, and final, and final… There’s a scarcity of urgency, the joie de vivre, that I believe we might all profit from these days. So, take this as your signal to throw your personal French backyard occasion this summer season—possibly even with a twist.
1. À La Carte
For me, a lot of the enjoyable is planning the menu. The French love gentle bites that facilitate straightforward connection over lengthy durations. Assume: cheese-heavy charcuterie, pastries, decadent fruits, baguette (ripped and dipped, not sliced), and wealthy butter. You will get a bit fancy: escabeche in case you’re grilling, a home made quiche, duck liver pâté, tomatoes provençale. The purpose is to convey family and friends collectively, at all times.
2. The Spritz de Résistance
There’s nothing I like greater than going a bit overboard, and there’s no higher manner to take action than planning a signature, refreshing summer season cocktail to your soirée. Enter the Southern Spritz: a brilliant, citrus-forward cocktail constructed round Maker’s Mark 46*, a Kentucky-made bourbon completed with French oak staves that lend notes of vanilla and caramel. It’s the right twist-in-a-glass for a French backyard occasion with a bit Southern aptitude.
Picture by Food52
3. Curate, Don’t Complicate
Mismatched plates, silverware, and glasses (with balanced colours) convey vitality to the guts of your tablescape. Small touches like namecards or knife rests are nice, however don’t overdo it. Ajiri Aki says in her ebook Joie: A Parisian’s Information to Celebrating the Good Life to choose one essential point of interest, like vibrant plateware, and keep on with it.
4. Flower Energy
I can’t overstate this: contemporary, lush flowers and greenery in all places. Nobody can have a foul time with a lot magnificence round. Hold desk flowers low and sprawling, so company don’t need to peek round them to see each other. Add candles, maintain lighting low, and curate the playlist.
5. Put the Prep Work In…
… and get the satisfaction out. It’s all about lowering stress so you may absolutely benefit from the soireé. For those who’re shopping for pastries, seize them the day earlier than (from a French patisserie if potential). Pre-cut cheese for charcuterie, marinate your escabeche in a single day. Set the desk the night time earlier than, too, and ask for assist. The setup is a part of the conviviality.
6. Sluggish and Regular
Most significantly: Breathe. Decelerate. Be current. When emulating joie de vivre, that is very important. Julia Youngster stated, “It doesn’t matter what occurs within the kitchen, by no means apologize.” Nobody will bear in mind a mishap, however they are going to bear in mind the way you made them really feel. Bon braveness!
*Maker’s Mark 46®️ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky Barrel Completed with 10 French Oak Staves, 47% Alc./Vol. ©️2025 Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., Loretto, KY
How are you internet hosting this summer season? What are your greatest backyard occasion suggestions?
