Excerpt for my book Entertaining at Home. Outtake photos by Matthew Mead Perched atop a small hill in Birmingham, Alabama, sits Shoppe, a beloved plant and flower emporium housed in a Victorian-style greenhouse and a 1920s bungalow. The store is just across the street...
I love Fino Sherry. My husband jokingly refers to it as my grandmother drink. Last night we hosted a dinner party complete with a cheese course and libations. Cognac, port, Armagna and, Sherry. Despite its greatness (in my humble opinion), Sherry still draws a...
FULL DISCLOSURE, I am NOT a baker. My strength and love lies with cooking. As any proficient baker knows, it requires following instructions. And for me, that is what makes bakers impressive. As an enthusiastic cook, I love to take creative license with my recipes, or...
There is something wonderful about sipping a classic cocktail. Even though the cocktail hour seems to have been dropped from most routines, I love the notion of setting aside time to bask in a moment of celebration. And what better a time than the Oscars. Whether...
Although I grew up in Texas, and spent my summers on the Gulf Coast, I never ate an oyster. My fondest memories were family dinners at the local seafood joint. It wasn’t until I was in France, well into my 30s, before I tasted my first first raw oyster. Now, I...
For my book, Entertaining at Home, hostess Ruth Davis hosted an easy and elegant dinner, with duck confit served over wild rice taking centerstage. Making confit is a time-tested French technique for preserving duck legs in fat. Although most people no longer need to...
Ronda is the author of Entertaining at Home and Designers at Home. Both published by Rizzoli. Ronda has been cooking and entertaining for 30 years. Inspired and influence by 10 years living in Scotland, and time abroad, Ronda brings an international flair to food. In 2019 Ronda was named to the Salonniere 100, a list of America’s best party hosts.
