Laura Jackson’s low-effort tips on how to please garden party guests
The Art of Hosting mastermind and Glassette co-founder Laura Jackson shares her no-fuss tips for summer gatherings people will remember, from why mismatched tableware is a positive to pleasing all of your guests without going to too much effort…
Go-to summer cocktail for greeting guests?
A paloma (tequila or mezcal with grapefruit juice), and I’d treat it just like a margarita, dressed up using a salted rim with some grapefruit grated into it. Or there’s the Hugo spritz: St-Germain liqueur topped up with crémant (you could use Prosecco, but I like to make it fully French!), a bit of soda water and mint. Both always go down well with a crowd.
What are the dishes that evoke summer for you?
It always has to be sharing plates – I like to call this kind of meal a table picnic, because people can just dig in and help themselves. For me, the food that makes me think of sunny days, especially in England, is the tomato. They have such a short season in the UK, but when you get the good ones – wow, you really get good ones! Present them simply with great olive oil and sea salt, then put some burrata or mozzarella on top and serve with crusty bread. Everybody likes that – even my kids enjoy tomatoes!
You love a good tablecloth… Why do you think they are an essential element of an outdoor dinner party?
They are a great way to set the tone; to signal a meal as something a bit special. I’m actually trying to find a place to wax a tablecloth I love. Waxed-tablecloth options are very slim, but I love the idea of a beautiful pattern that is also wipe-clean.
What are your rules when setting the table for al fresco feasts?
I’m a great fan of mixed-and-matched tableware, mainly because I just don’t have enough of one thing. It’s fine not to have a strong sense of cohesion. I always think there are no rules to anything – it’s just about enjoying what you are doing, especially when it comes to summer entertaining, which can already feel quite overwhelming if you have lots of people coming over.
One easy, no-fuss way to pull a table together visually is to fill an amazing old tin can with knives and forks, then fold up some napkins alongside with the plates. The big thing to remember is that if you feel less stressed, everyone will have more fun.
What is your top tip for pleasing guests of all ages?
It may be controversial these days, but I don’t ask for dietary requirements. Instead, I devise a simple menu that caters to everybody. If I do a roast chicken, some sort of potato dish, a salad and an interesting veg dish I’m covering all bases. The kids will eat the chicken and potatoes, adults will love the salad. I always have dips and things on the side (normally some sort of green pesto made from fresh herbs and olive oil). And I always cook much more than I need – it avoids the worry of anyone going hungry, and I get the benefit of leftovers!
Are you a fan of a picnic? How do you turn a patch of grass into a stylish dining spot?
I love creating a gorgeous corner; being able to make any outdoor space homely is really satisfying. Normally I pack a blanket, but for my daughter’s recent birthday party we went to the park and I used a tablecloth instead (it’s much bigger, so there’s space for more bums and food!).
I took a portable lamp, napkins and cups, plus my bag from Anya Hindmarch that you can place a wine glass in, and sandwiches wrapped in greaseproof paper and tied with string. I always make my own hummus, and have loads of carrot batons, plus crisps and a flapjack cake for the kids. The other day we all wanted to picnic but it was really chilly, so I made dhal and put that in a flask that we all shared – even something simple like that can be really special.
