We love to share stories of friends, families – communities – coming together, as many are happily doing much more often these days, whether over garden, farm, table or stove. Maybe it’s the warm summer months or perhaps it could be the trend toward old-fashioned, whole food cooking – but whatever factors are to blame, we’re all about it!
Food blogger Adrian Hale of Communal Table recently found an unexpected dinner party cohort amidst the members of her own community and the two quickly joined forces to throw a supper soiree that brought together their community of friends from all over the city. Here’s Adrian…
Within 20 minutes of meeting my hair stylist Taylor, I knew I wanted to share a table with her. Regularly.
Sitting down in her chair once a month, we’d clear space for some serious discussion between bang trims and color applications. By the time we were done, I was never ready to go. So it wasn’t long before we were hatching plans centered around the dinner table.
Taylor owns the Lucas Hair Salons in both Portland, Oregon and the Echo Park neighborhood of LA. Apparently, I’m not the only one who wants to stay cuddled up in her salon chair long after dry time is over. Taylor was anxious to make plans to bring like-minded people together and to continue all the conversations she starts with those who plop down in her chair for an hour or two.
As a chef and food blogger, I was more than willing to turn her dream into a reality and so our tradition of the ‘Lucas Family Dinner’ was born! Our first dinner was magic, creating new pathways for people to connect. Taylor paired me up in the kitchen with the talented Jenni Grishman on a whim, and we’ve been cooking and working together ever since.
Recently, we were back at it again. We gathered 30 people in her space for fresh citrus cocktails (made by the host),
homemade ricotta and pickled fig crostinis, celery root soup, braised short ribs with creamy polenta and olive oil cake with candied kumquats.
Here are a few recipes from our recent ‘family dinner’. We hope these recipes inspire you to plan a community gathering of your own!
