Now that summer is finally here, there’s nothing we love more than entertaining our friends outdoors & serving up fresh finds from our local markets.
We asked the hostess with the mostess, Mademoiselle Jules, what her go-to summer recipes are and what tips & tricks she’s got in her back pocket for the ultimate summer entertaining experience.
What are your top 3 summer recipe go-to's and why?
1. TOMATO SALAD
2. BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE
3. RUSTIC APRICOT & PEACH PIE
All 3 are my summer classics. I always like to use ingredients from the season. I like to highlight seasonally - Ontario peaches, blueberries from QC. Buying locally is super important to me! Cooking with a farm-to-table vibe is what I love about these ingredients.
What is your favorite thing about hosting in the summer? Is it the weather, fresh produce, getting inspired by nature? Montrealers love their summer gatherings - how do you make your events special?
All of the above! I love all those things. I like to gather around a table. When you sit down and really "break bread" (haha!), you get to talk and catch up with the people you love. Around a table over food is the most special, cozy and comforting way. That's how I love to host.
Give us your number one hostess tip! What’s something that makes prep go smoother? How do you get your guests to feel comfortable? What are your table-setting must-haves?
PREP IN ADVANCE! I always, without fail, set the table the day before because the day I host I’m overwhelmed with the cooking and perfecting it!
Always cut, wash and dry your herbs in advance so that when you're cooking or doing final touches, it's easy! I love to prepare a nice playlist - I like the energy it brings.
I love making the aesthetic and mood right, so let's say I am hosting at night- there's tons of candles! During the day, there's fresh flowers... you know what I mean!
As for setting the table, I go for natural fabrics - they are my faves. I love the Maison Tess linen napkins - I use them as place mats too! I’ll pick a colour to use for placemats and a complimentary hue to use as napkins - love the versatility!
What are your fave items you’d love to receive as a hostess gift?
I like things that I wouldn’t buy myself like scented candles from Diptyque or Byredo, for Aesop Soaps are the nicest gift ever!
A very expensive & luxurious soap is definitely not something I'd splurge on for myself every day, but when I get it as a hostess gift - I loooove it!
So I myself always gift it when I am hosted somewhere. Another good one is a nice coffee table book that meets the interests of the person's home you are going to.
