How do you Hostess? Meet Chief Hostess Nicole Elliott

How has Savannah, LA, & Baltimore, influence how you hostess?

  The thing I love about living in three very different cities is that the people may be different, the food and cultures different but being a great hostess still boils down to one thing. To always be gracious and thoughtful.

What is your favorite entertaining moment? 

 In LA I used to host Christmas Eve with friends and I really wanted to showcase “Feast of the 7 Fishes” and was getting really stressed about cooking all of those dishes for 12 guests but then realized that it could all be fun and not stressful so I prepared appetizers like crab dip, shrimp cocktail, and grilled octopus. It was decadent and delicious but mostly fun and easy! It taught me not to worry when entertaining and when I’m stress free the guests are as well.

 What is your bar stocked with? 

 Gin and Bourbon, olives, tonic, Savoy Society bitters

 What is your go to entertaining snack? 

 Salami and more Salami

 How else are you ready to hostess? 

 I like to keep my house stocked with wine and snacks. You never know who might stop by and I like to be prepared!

 Favorite Food?

 Steamed Blue Crabs

 Favorite Drink?

 I have 2. Dirty Gin Martini and an Old Fashioned

 Who is your entertaining role model? 

 My grandmother. Growing up she knew I loved pickles, actually obsessed with pickles. For the holidays, she would put out a family pickle tray but also save a small one for me so I didn’t have to share. It made me feel so special and a good lesson in reading your guests. If I have friends over I try and remember some of their favorite things to offer when I am entertaining.