If you’re lucky enough to attend one of Jessica Seinfeld’s legendary dinner parties, you might walk away with a new best friend—or maybe even the love of your life. That’s because the executive producer and bestselling cookbook author knows a thing or two about creating an atmosphere that really brings the people together. Her secret? Thoughtful seating. “I take a lot of pride in really thinking through what my friends are working on, what their hopes and aspirations are, and I like to match them with the right person,” she told us when she stopped by Food52 HQ. And the results speak for themselves: she’s seen her guests exchange numbers, plan future gatherings, and even collaborate on creative projects.
Photo by Mark Weinberg
We couldn’t help but ask Jessica for even more of her hosting wisdom—from setting the table to always having dessert ready. As it turns out, her fifth cookbook, Not Too Sweet, is the ultimate solution for the latter. (We’re going straight for the Roasted Grape Turnovers and Apricot Rugelach.) Here’s what she shared, in her own words.
