Table Talk with Serena Hood
Our Table Talk series is all about dinner party conversations. If you were sat beside our guests at a candlelit dinner party, what would you want to ask them? We’ve curated our dream dinner party guest list and will be chatting to our guests throughout the year, asking them all about themselves, their area of expertise and, of course, their own dream dinner party scenarios.
Our next guest is Serena Hood, former Vogue editor and co-founder and CEO of shopping platform, Collagerie. Collagerie offers an expert curation of fashion, interiors and beauty, celebrating shopping at every price point. We caught up with Serena to chat about entertaining at home during the autumn months.
What is your favourite way to entertain guests during the autumn months? Do you change how you entertain from season to season?
I love nothing more than a kitchen supper, so tend to welcome autumn with open arms when we move indoors to entertain. We have a wooden dining table I found in a tiny shop on Golborne Road and knew it was ‘the one’. It can seat between 6 – 12 people. Any more than that and it becomes a party instead!
How would you make things feel warm and cosy for an autumn dinner party in your home?
You can never have enough candles. I love mixing tapered candles in different sized candle holders - I’ve been collecting antique silver ones for years. I also make sure to turn off any spotlights.
Do you have a failsafe outfit for hosting at home? Are there any go-to brands that you look to when hosting a gathering?
Usisi Sister make the perfect ‘host at home’ looks. I love the statement suit (top and trousers) that has just launched from their new collection. I usually style it with Lucy Delius jewellery – this vintage-inspired necklace is a forever piece – and a pair of Neous kitten heels.
What would be on the menu for an autumn dinner party? Which chefs would you look to for inspiration?
We love to invite friends over for Raclette nights on Saturdays, after visiting the cheesemonger at our local farmer’s market. My husband is half-Swiss and I bought him a Raclette machine last Christmas which he loves. We just got a fondue set, so we’ll be trying that out soon.
Who would be your dream dinner party guests and why?
My family is always at the top of my list.
What would appear on your dinner party playlist?
I leave that to Spotify.
Tell us about the most memorable dinner party you’ve ever attended.
Our wedding day. It was the most beautiful clear evening and the best dinner party ever!
Which Rebecca Udall products would you use to style an autumn table?
Victoria striped linen tablecloth, burgundy and chocolate
Olivia scalloped dinner plates, raspberry filet
Brass salt and pepper mill set
Alexandra handblown glass jug, clear