À Table: An Overflowing Buffet Dinner With Maryah Ananda

It’s the season for holiday entertaining, and we’ve enlisted the help of the most stylish hosts we know to serve up their party tricks for a holiday hosting mini‑series. Dress code festive, RSVP requested. À Table! When it comes to entertaining, culinary artist and model Maryah Ananda is hardly a creature of habit. Sometimes it’s an intimate gathering with her nearest and dearest; other times it’s a cornucopian fête where the wine is constantly flowing and the dress code is fancy. “This supports all the different versions of me,” she says. “Sometimes, I just want to show up in faux fur and gloves or my favorite black dress and a red wine lip!”

For this particular evening—a cozy dinner served buffet‑style over a soft golden tablecloth to raise funds for One Love Community Fridge—the directive leaned toward the former. “I wanted the tablescape to feel warm and inviting, bringing in the holiday season with care,” explains Ananda. Everything from the comforting dishes to the soft taper candle light to the menu carefully hand‑written on folding notecards was in service of this goal; laid‑back but welcoming, informal but absolutely on‑theme. Ahead, go behind the scenes of Ananda’s holiday dinner party, shop similar pieces, and jot down her cardinal rules of easy hosting, starting with: Always having flowers around.

Crafting the Table

Choosing the Base

Maryah’s approach always begins with the fundamentals: tablecloth, table runner, or none at all? Florals are non‑negotiable. She likes to decide early on whether the arrangement will be a large centerpiece or a scattering of single stems across the table; that choice really dictates the visual flow of the entire setting.

• Tablecloth: Mustard‑colored linen, $140 (Bed Threads) – gives a warm, earthy tone.
• Table runner: Optional, but a subtle wheat‑grain runner can add texture.
• Florals: A whimsical arrangement by Fernando Daquiz Kabigting of FDK Florals, $13 (Etsy – preserved caspia bunch).

Why Mustard Linen?

Mustard is the color of autumn – it’s warm, inviting, and pairs beautifully with the seasonal palette of squash, apples, pears, and herbs. The linen material feels breathable, lightweight, and is easy to clean and polish.

Setting the Scene

When the table reflects the season’s offerings there is already a sense of comfort and a built‑in conversation starter. With that in mind, Maryah considers colors, textures, and materials to incorporate. She also looks at the lighting: taper candles, tea lights, or even a small lantern to create an ambient glow.

• Candles: Dipped taper candles, $8 (Crate & Barrels).
• Candleholder: Spiral candleholder, $125 (Sophie Lou Jacobsen).
• Place cards: Tented place cards, $37 (Smythson).

Pro Tip: Add a Green Accent

Insert a small succulent or a sprig of fresh herbs as a side centerpiece. This adds a touch of nature and balances the overall color scheme.

The Hosting Outfit

Two Outfits, One Vision

Maryah’s hosting formula is simple: one outfit for cooking, tidying up, and getting ready; another for guest‑facing. (Same with aprons!) A black T‑shirt and jeans is her prep outfit while her hosting outfit just needs to be one she feels comfortable yet confident in. She avoids silk if it’s a large gathering because it’s easy to notice stains. Cotton and linen are her ideal picks because they’re breathable, lightweight, and easier to get stains out of.

• Prep outfit: Black T‑shirt + jeans – $45 (J.Crew Feather jersey turtleneck).
• Hosting outfit: Ganni fitted blazer, $725 (SSENSE); Ganni mini skirt, $345 (GANNI); oversized optical glasses, $400 (NET‑A‑PORTER).

Accessorizing

• Silk scarf or a simple beaded necklace.
• Comfortable flats or loafers for walking around the table.
• A small clutch or tote bag to carry essentials.

Tabletop Heroes

From Sophie Lou Jacobsen to Hudson Wilder

Everything from Sophie Lou Jacobsen, Maison Balzac and Hudson Wilder, and anything vintage, just cleanse and polish it first. Candles are almost always a yes. There are rare times when the room has enough beautiful natural light, but most often, I’ll still use some form of candlelight, whether it’s a taper or a tea light. And personally I love a gorgeous table display, going to the flower district to build my own bouquets or stepping up from bodega arrangements with farmers market arrangements! They have gorgeous bouquets ready‑made or beautiful stems to add to your bodega flowers. No matter how big or small, I will always print a menu.

• Tableware: West Elm stone platters, $41 (West Elm).
• Glassware: Tall wine glasses or crystal goblets for the cocktail hour.
• Utensils: Rustic wooden serving spoons and a decorative ladle.

Adding a Touch of Personalization

Print a handwritten menu on folding notecards – a simple but elegant way to keep guests informed and engaged. You can also add a small handwritten note or a quote about the holiday season on each card.

What’s on the Menu

Seasonal Inspiration

The menu also reflects seasonality. A lot of my inspiration comes from nature and feelings – with that in mind, I may create a menu highlighting squash, apples, pear, grapes, and herbs like thyme and sage for this time of year. Currently, I’m loving a miso sage honey nut squash gnocchi with comté or a kabocha squash risotto with thyme and pecorino. For dessert, earl grey poached pears with rose and vanilla creme anglaise or a pavlova topped with begrü̈e‑fresh berries.

• Appetizer: Miso‑sage honey nut squash gnocchi with comté.
• Main course: Kabocha squash risotto with thyme and pecorino.
• Side salad: Mixed greens with a balsamic vinaigrette.
• Dessert: Earl grey poached pears with rose & vanilla creme anglaise.

Pro Tip: Prep in Advance

Chop the squash and sauté the gnocchi the night before. Keep the risotto warm in a covered pot until guests arrive. This reduces the workload on the day of the event.

Cocktail Hour

Cheers to the Holiday Season

Maryah’s cocktail hour is a vital part of the evening – a quick, refreshing drink to keep the guests energized while they mingle and enjoy the buffet. She usually chooses a light, citrus‑based drink that complements the savory dishes.

• Drink 1: Sparkling apple cider – $12 per bottle.
• Drink 2: White wine (dry or semi‑dry) – $15 per bottle.
• Serving: Tall wine glasses, crystal goblets, or rustic wooden cups.

Pro Tip: Add a Herbal Twist

Infuse the cider or wine with fresh thyme or rosemary. A small sprig of rosemary or a pinch of crushed mint can add a bright, aromatic note.

The Party Playlist

Tracks for the Holiday Spirit

“The Party Playlist” is the soundtrack of your evening. Maryah curates a mix of classic holiday tunes and contemporary pop‑influenced tracks that create a lively, yet cozy atmosphere.

• 1️⃣ “Winter Wonderland” – Artist A – 3:45
• 2️⃣ “Holly Jolly” – Artist B – 4:12
• 3️⃣ “Season of Joy” – Artist C – 3:58
• 4️⃣ “Fireside Fires” – Artist D – 4:07

Setting the Mood

Play the playlist through a portable speaker or a small Bluetooth speaker placed on the table. This keeps the music at a comfortable volume and allows guests to listen while they eat.

Stress‑Reducing Secret

Timelines & Checklist

Maryah follows a clear, step‑by‑step timeline to keep the evening running smoothly. Here’s a quick checklist you can follow:

• **6:00 pm** – Prep: start cooking, set the table, light candles.
• **7:00 pm** – Serve the main dishes; guests begin to mingle.
• **7:30 pm** – Cocktail hour: pour wine, serve drinks.
• **8:00 pm** – Dessert: serve pears and pavlova.
• **8:30 pm** – Wrap‑up: clean, thank guests, and collect donations.

Pro Tip: Create a “Guest‑Facing” Checklist

Write down each task on a small card and place it in your tote bag. This ensures you don’t forget anything and helps keep the evening on track.

RSVP & Final Touches

Dress code: festive, holiday‑themed. Bring your favorite accessories, a big smile, and an open mind. Please RSVP by December 18th so we can adjust the headcount and finalize the donations for One Love Community Fridge. Feel free to share this guide with your friends, family, and neighbors – the more people we bring together, the stronger the community impact!

Contact & RSVP

Email: maryah@example.com | Phone: (555) 123‑4567

Thank you for reading and for joining Maryah’s holiday hosting mini‑series. Let’s make this evening unforgettable – one table at a time!

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