Food is not just fuel. Food is about family, food is about community, food is about identity. We nourish all those things when we eat well. – Michael Pollan
I have wanted to host a proper dinner gathering with close friends for years. A few weeks ago, I was able to witness that dream coming to fruition. About fifteen of my close friends gathered for a night of delicious food, hand crafted drinks, a carefully curated playlist, and most importantly conversation and community. There were a handful of us that crafted plans, thrifted linens, created beautiful papeterie, perused the farmer’s market, hand-picked leaves from the fiery fall trees and made it happen! I loved watching it all come together—to see everyone coming alive in their own way, following their talents and passions. That is community—people coming together, giving of themselves, enjoying each other, breaking bread together, being intentional, telling stories, and listening intently. Food is definitely something special. It’s a necessity for survival, but it’s also most enjoyable. It brings people together in a way that’s different than almost anything else. Gathering together around a common table to take part in a meal feeds not only our body, but our souls.
My husband carefully curated a playlist for the evening. Listen in the player below.
^Apple Thyme Gin Fiz
^Kale salad with Pickled Rainbow Carrots
^Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Sage 
^Sous Vide with a Black Currant Gatrique and Duck Confit Hash
^Bourbon Apple Pie with Salted Caramel Gelato
^Cinnamon Pear Cider
Listen to the playlist from the evening below:
This dinner could not have been possible without the help of so many gracious and talented friends:
Beautiful Table Setting + Co-Host: Georgia Miller
Tasty Food + Wine Pairings: Savannah Wright, Clay Hunt, & Ashley Couse
Delicious Dessert: Jesse Carter
Lovely Invitation + Menu Design: Megan Towle
Carefully Curated Playlist: Michael Couse
Film Photography: Austin Gros
Short Film: shot by Austin Gros + edited by AJ Gibboney
Bloom & Nourish 
Just lovely! I grew up hosting good old-fashioned dinner parties with my grandmother and still continue it today. I need to be better about documenting, though. Thanks for the inspiration!
thanks carrie! it’s so fun to have it documented, and i would love to see yours. having that tradition with your grandmother was probably very special. 🙂
Oh I’ve been waiting for this post for so long! Everything looks beautiful and sounds lovely. If you ever have a bad day, all you have to remember is how lucky you are to have such great company and nourishing food in your life! xx
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