THE HOSTING EDIT
Contributor - Lindsey Friel | Lifestyle Consultant • 3/19/26
The dinner party has long been the most effervescent night out – or in – in the city. The intimacy, the whimsy, the customization makes an ordinary meal into something out of a storybook. It’s the magic of inviting others into your home, your space, and somehow transporting the evening far beyond the four walls.
Below, our roundup of the ones who make hosting look effortless: from private chefs and caterers, to cakes, homeware, florists, linens, and host gifts. The quiet magicians in the world of hosting — making it all look just a little easier.
PRIVATE CHEFS & CATERING
A streamlined service that connects you directly with a private chef for any occasion, from intimate gatherings to larger events and in-home meal prep. They handle all the logistics behind the scenes, making the entire process feel like a true one-stop shop for effortless hosting.
A true farm-to-table experience with the ease of home, Chef Sean brings an artistic, globally inspired touch to private dining, shaped by years working with celebrity, political, and international clients. His cooking is seasonal, thoughtful, and designed to make any gathering feel both intimately personal.
For the “more is more” mantra believers, Elegant Affairs is the go-to for beautifully over-the-top entertaining from Manhattan to the Hamptons. Andrea’s signature is in the execution: stunning presentation, seamless service, and the kind of party where all the little things come together brilliantly.
For curated menus and whimsical grazing boards, Plated by Kelly makes every spread feel personal, polished, and a little eccentric. From multi-course meals to seasonal grazing tables and creative content, Kelly brings her passion for food presentation and delivers the delightfully unexpected.
CAKES & SWEETS
SOMA Cakes NYC | East Village
A true boutique cake studio in the East Village, SOMA Cakes is known for highly custom, artful creations by owner and designer Hiroyo Ruiz, whose background spans Tokyo, Paris, and some of New York’s most respected pastry kitchens. Her cakes are works of art: a true centerpiece of any gathering.
Solid Wiggles | SoHo, Williamsburg
Part art project, part pastry experiment, part cocktail hour: Solid Wiggles lives in the wonderfully strange space where food, design, and bartending meet. Their signature boozy jelly creations are part playful, part nostalgic, and completely unexpected. Order either their shots or go for a whole jelly cake.
To experience firsthand: Tatiana by Kwame Onwauchi, Champer's Social Club, Quality Meats, Zou Zou’s, Bar Primi, Ernesto’s and Lise & Vito.
FLORALS
Michael George Flowers | Hell’s Kitchen
For those who believe flowers should feel as considered as the table itself, Michael George is the gold standard of New York floral design. Known for their clean, architectural arrangements and quietly luxurious style, their work brings that effortless uptown polish to everything from intimate dinners to full-scale events.
Élan Flowers | Tribeca
A longtime favorite among New York hosts, Élan Flowers is known for timeless arrangements with just the right amount of drama. Their designs feel classic but never predictable, always using the best of the season to create florals that instantly make a table — or a room — feel finished.
LINEN AND TABLESCAPE RENTALS
Every good gathering starts with the table, and Spoon + Salt knows how to make a first impression. With an eye for detail and a very good sense of mood, their personalized tablescapes make any dinner feel intentional. They handle the tablescape, deliver everything, pick it up after, and even do the dishes — which might be the best party trick of all.
Ours at Yours by Forbes Functions
A trendier approach to setting the table. Founder Cameron Forbes’ answer to the booming dinner party scene: sustainable, NYC-ready tablescape rentals with maximalist looks, minimal waste, and step-by-step guidance via QR code. A playful excerpt perfect for young adults eager to host.
HOMEWARE & HOST GIFTS
And a little TLC to the most coveted of all: the host/hostess gifts.
Big Night | West Village, Upper East Side, Greenpoint
For those who never show up empty-handed, Big Night is the go-to for host gifts that carry practicality and whimsy. From imperfect glassware to pantry surprises, the options are never boring. A great place to pop in for a host gift — or something for yourself. If nothing else, you’ll leave feeling inspired to be the one hosting next time.
John Derian Company | East Village
For niche and otherworldly finds, John Derian knows best. The shop feels like stepping into a cabinet of curiosities, full of perfect host gifts and beautiful oddities. He has carved out an iconic place where the pieces speak for themselves. Think vintage and antique imports, bed and table linens, stationery, plate-ware, lighting and original art, and of course their well-loved Cereria Introna Candles.
Contributor — Lindsey Friel | Lifestyle Consultant
Originally from Pennsylvania, studied hospitality at Boston University but learned the most by wandering through the nooks and crannies of the industry itself. I spent time writing for small publications, highlighting lifestyle and hospitality through storytelling — my favorite medium. Admittedly, my love of the field has grown into an insatiable curiosity: always chasing the newest and coolest, the biggest and smallest, the in-betweens and overlooked. Now based in New York City, I remain enamored with the endless ways people gather, connect, and create experiences that stay with you long after you leave.
