In her journey as a Chinese Australian food writer in New York, Hetty Lui McKinnon always envisioned sharing meals around a round table, which she finally acquired. This table became a symbol of inclusivity, fostering a warm and engaging atmosphere for her gatherings. McKinnon hosted monthly lunches in her Brooklyn apartment, testing recipes from her new cookbook, Linger, with friends.
Initially, she found hosting daunting, driven by the pressure of perfection in dinner parties—extensive planning and elaborate table settings weighed heavily on her enjoyment. However, through her experiences while writing Linger, she embraced the notion that hosting should be natural and enjoyable, not a performance. She underscores the importance of connection over presentation, suggesting that simply sharing a meal is what truly matters. McKinnon aims to alleviate the pressures traditionally associated with hosting, advocating for informal yet meaningful gatherings.
Her first lunch was unpretentious, featuring generous platters of salads, and didn’t require her guests to be acquainted beforehand; many left with new friendships. She joyfully affirms that “food tastes better when you share it with people,” and her planning process is straightforward—guided by seasonal ingredients and her cravings, ensuring a balance in the dishes served.
To set the mood for her lunch gatherings, McKinnon entrusted her daughter, Scout, with selecting the music, creating a unique generational bond. While she favours upbeat tunes from the 80s and 90s, she prefers to avoid instrumental music to keep conversations flowing. Hosting in her cozy apartment, McKinnon embraces its slight disarray, realising that a home’s imperfections often reveal personal stories. She believes that guests are rarely judgemental about their hosts’ space, which promotes a relaxed atmosphere.
Efficient preparation is part of McKinnon’s hosting ethos; she prepares elements of dishes in advance, allowing her to enjoy the occasion alongside her guests. For her cookbook, she anticipates guests arriving to a beautifully arranged table filled with room-temperature dishes, removing the stress of timing. McKinnon encourages aspiring hosts to remember that the meal itself doesn’t have to overshadow the joy of being together.
Ultimately, through her experiences and philosophy on cooking and hosting, McKinnon inspires others to create simple yet heartfelt gatherings centred around shared meals. Embracing the idea that inviting people for a casual lunch can be fulfilling and memorable is a significant takeaway from her journey with Linger.