Hostess with the Mostess

“I’d love to show you in.” -Me. A hundred times a day.

I have had several people ask me why there have not been any new posts recently.* I sincerely apologize for the lack of fresh recipes and the fact that you’ve probably been subsisting on a diet of bacon wrapped artichokes and fancy roll-ups since March. The truth is, I have been incredibly busy and important the past couple of months…

As I’m sure you know, I take this blog very seriously. I thank you, my loyal readers, for trusting me with your domestic training, and I want to provide the highest possible level of indoor tutelage. A few months ago, I considered my domestic skill-set. Obviously, my Cordon Bleu medal qualified me to order you around the kitchen, but what credentials did I have to justify me telling you how to be a wonderful host/hostess? Besides my natural charm, none. Therefore, I felt that some professional hostess training was in order. The fact that I needed a day job was just a happy coincidence. So, in the spirit of research, I joined the host team at a new hotspot called The Nomad Restaurant. Five days a week I put on a pair of practical heels, a black dress, and a smile, and I practiced those hostessing skills like it was my job. Because it was.

The training facility.

Now, many people dismiss the restaurant hostess as a mindless service industry job. However, there is so much more to hosting than checking coats and pulling out chairs. There is also smiling, showing people to the bathroom, getting to-go coffees, and looking hot. And those are just the easy things. The most important aspect of being a restaurant host is making the guests feel welcome and at home. Everyone that comes into a restaurant is looking for the same thing: to be taken care of. And there is no better way to take care of people than by serving them a good meal in a beautiful and welcoming environment.

In a restaurant, just like in your home, things will go wrong from time to time. Reservations will get lost, food will take too long, somebody will drink too much and throw up outside the bathroom…but don’t panic. If there is one thing I learned in my research, it is patience. And wear comfortable shoes.

After five months of hard-core professionalism, I felt ready to take on the challenge of any party as a hostess with the most-ess. Therefore, I left the NoMad a few weeks ago to pursue other life goals.**  My last day happened to coincide with the restaurant being awarded three stars by the New York Times. I can only take partial credit for this feat.

The Three-Star Celebration aka my going away party. I went out with a bang.

Long-story short: I am now a trained chef and hostess. I also have lots more free time now. Prepare to be bombarded with awesome recipes and entertaining tips.

*like, more than two.

**These have been previously outlined. i.e. having my own cooking show, posing for GQ etc.