Lionel Hampton private chef Meredith Hayden became a TikTok whizz partake in her “ day in the life ” video . Now a cookbook author with over 3.7 million combined follower , she spills the secrets to hosting in her Long Island home .
In 2020,Wishbone Kitchen ’s Meredith Hayden was turn as a private chef for clothing interior designer Joseph Altuzarra and his family ; she actuate into the spare bedroom of their Hamptons beach house to cook for the family full - time . While she spent belated nights scour down the range and other mornings slash up hot cake batter , Hayden could n’t have dreamed that just a few years later she would be bribe her own family on Long Island ’s fame - filled East destruction .
Thanks to a serendipitous ( but extremely successful ) career as aculinary content creatorand cookbook generator , Hayden and her Bernese Mountain Dog , Poppy , are settle into their new home , a bright and airy converted b . After a cosmic string of stocky New York City rental apartments , Hayden ’s Modern distance feels peculiarly roomy — and idealistic for harbour . When hosting her friends and kinsfolk ( whether for holiday feasts orbackyard barbeque ) , Hayden ’s style is equal division casual and generous , with overflowing platters of comfort food , many bottles of bubbly , and a come - as - you - are vibe . Still , she has some mansion pattern for herself and her guests .
Credit:Annie Schlechter
Wishbone Kitchen’s House Rules
Here are the maxims Hayden inhabit by to make her home feel cozy and personal — while still uphold her peace and her space .
Dogs Are Family
The dogs — both my pup and my fellowship ’s dog — are always in the kitchen with me when I ’m wangle . I get outrage about it on social media , but that ’s just how I was raised . My dogs are where I am — at all times .
No Food on the Furniture
I never thought I ’d wish about stains , but once you invest in a nice couch you commence to rethink everything . One time , at my apartment in Brooklyn , I say my good friends that if they want to drinkred wine , they had to sit on the floor . I might be too embarrassed to ask that of guests who I ’m not as close with , but I ’d probably think it !
Keep It Comfy
I love finger comfortable , whether that means wearing my softest clothes or envelop up in a bleary cover . get home to a space that feels clean , overbold , and cozy is a antecedence for me .
Annie Schlechter
How to Host, According to Wishbone Kitchen’s Meredith Hayden
Hayden ’s millions of buff do it her for her advance - but - still - insouciant approach to every gathering she hosts , but it take body of work to make hosting wait easy . Read on for Meredith Hayden ’s tried - and - true host habits that make each of her soirees a succeeder .
Q: How do you set the mood when you have guests over?
I have a go at it when my family smell beneficial and I enjoy standard candle . In the summertime , I prefer garden scent like love apple leafage , and in evenfall and wintertime , I love any balsam scent . When I entertain , I like to light cd while I ’m cooking ( and before multitude arrive ) to odorize the firm . When Edgar Albert Guest come over , I blow out the odorous candle so they do n’t interfere with the taste of the nutrient . For the table , I stick tounscented tapers .
Q: How do you deal with hosting stress?
As a former private chef , I ca n’t turn off the part of my brain that say I ’m going to get in trouble if dinner party is n’t ready on metre ! To relieve some of that pressure , I always havesomething set out for hoi polloi to nibble onwhen they arrive for a meal — just in case any kitchen disasters pass off .
Meredith Hayden
Just keep me fellowship , and let me hack .
Q: What’s the best hostess gift you’ve received?
I love hostess gift that feel personal in some way . If you gift a bottle of wine , tot a little tag enjoin why you blame it or what it would pair well with . I also love a tradition looker towel or a limited set of napkins . My best-loved present latterly was a little watercolor picture of my dog .
Q: Are guests allowed to help out?
I do n’t desire to be by myself in the kitchen while all of my client are having fun in the other room . I like when someone bellies up to the counter and schmooze with me while I ’m cooking , but , honestly , I do n’t care assistance . Just keep me society , and let me hack .
Q: As a chef, is your kitchen always organized or are you more laidback?
I ’m someone who really wants to be organized but is very bad at it . I let thing get really out of control and disorganized , but every few month Iempty out all the drawers and cabinetsand do a full home version of a factory reset . I know it would make my life easygoing if I just put everything away in the correct place after using it but that does n’t seem to hap . I am render !
