Riri's table

Riri's guide to hosting

For Riri, bringing together those nearest and dearest to her and celebrating the good things in life is more than an art—it’s in her DNA. Riri’s table is an opportunity for real connection, with beauty and simplicity at the heart of it all. She believes that the key to a successful soirée is for the host to be stress-free and have fun.

The queen of festive gatherings is here to present a three-course meal that’s creative, scrumptious and easy to make. The appetizer, main and dessert are paired with carefully selected beverages. As always with Riri, everything is thoughtfully composed, with pears as the common thread in each dish. And the table is elegantly decorated with a white tablecloth, minimalist red accents, a few candles, and a fresh loaf of bread wrapped in a bow—the ideal ingredients for enjoying time with loved ones.

Homemade with love

The self-professed “creator of custom culinary experiences” has a scroll-worthy Instagram account. The photos of squash at the farmer’s market, fresh pastel-coloured eggs and heart-shaped bagels are her way of conveying sharing and abundance. “Cooking is my love language,” she said, admitting that she often makes way too much. 

Her holiday spread is proof enough—everything on the table exudes passion and generosity. Riri likes printing out her menus, making garlands and napkins, and putting together a show-stopping tree using cranberries. She simply buys a little silicone cone from a craft store and sticks cranberries into the side with toothpicks, adding a little bow on top as a finishing touch. Riri always finds inspiration on Pinterest and puts her own spin on things based on what materials she can find and what she’s able to do herself. 

Joyful and merry

The menu also highlights the pleasure of being together. Big sharing platters are a feast for all the senses. Riri suggests getting things started with a fresh and crunchy radicchio, fennel and pear salad, served with a sparkling pear cocktail made from Moingeon Crémant de Bourgogne. The main course is all about creamy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness, with roasted fennel on top of a white bean purée, accompanied by smashed potatoes with Parmesan cheese—and the best part is this dish can be prepared in advance and easily assembled right before serving. Absolutly perfect with a glass of Is This It? Grüner Veltliner. Last but not least, a simple dessert that never fails to impress: a delicate vanilla panna cotta with poached pear, alongside a spiced warm cider mixed with some Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, that’s perfectly in keeping with the season. The whole meal is Riri to a T—stylish, inspiring, fuss-free, and oh-so merry! 

No matter the occasion, Riri always brings impeccable taste to the party. Crafting little decorations, following the event theme, choosing an understated tablecloth and dishware, adding a few candles to the table, thinking about the colours on the plate, preparing original dishes that can be made in advance and served family-style so everyone can help themselves—it isn’t all that complicated, and it creates just the setting for celebrating and enjoying each others’ company. Consider this an invitation to recreate Riri’s brand of magic at home and appreciate the joy of hosting those you love with style… and making it easy-peasy! 

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