Stephanie Izard is aware of her ceremonial dinner is a success when “it takes some time to flow into the desk and chat with company.”
Through the years, the culinary TV champion (she was the primary feminine winner of High Chef and a winner of Iron Chef Gauntlet) and James Beard Award-winning chef has fine-tuned her understanding of what makes for good chemistry each in her personal skilled kitchens and at an intimate ceremonial dinner desk. Not too long ago, she chatted with Eater by video about celebrating her many profession milestones, fostering camaraderie within the restaurant business, and the celebratory dinner she hosted with Eater and Capital One at Woman & The Goat this September as a part of Eater’s Dinner Celebration Sequence.
“It’s loopy to suppose that it’s been 15 years since Woman & The Goat opened,” Izard laughs, “That’s a variety of time in restaurant years.” In that point, the restaurant has solidified its place as a Chicago (and extra just lately, Los Angeles) mainstay in American-meets-global nose-to-tail eating, and helped catalyze Izard’s many idea eating places within the Midwest and West Coast; as just lately as March 2025, her newest addition, Valley Goat, opened in Sunnyvale, California. When requested about her technique for longevity and growth, Izard is fast to deliver up the cruciality of turning into an inviting, bonafide neighborhood locale.
For all of her success, nonetheless, Izard says that she’s by no means really been a lot of a planner. “However I clearly do have a [thing] for opening new eating places with these nice groups we’ve constructed,” she says, “We all the time appear to tug the very best individuals, and the very best neighborhoods. And when that occurs, it simply is sensible to maintain [the ball] rolling.”
What is evident in talking with Izard is her penchant for making a heat and — maybe probably the most coveted of compliments today — genuine eating surroundings. When creating the menu for her ceremonial dinner with Eater, she pulled standard dishes from her eating places corresponding to Duck Duck Goat, Cabra, and naturally, Woman & The Goat to create a night that felt like an invite to affix her groups in a culinary victory lap; “We even despatched individuals residence [with a goodie bag] of little scones,” she says, including that “this was one of the vital chatty and excited teams. Genuinely. Individuals have been simply actually excited and optimistic and having enjoyable and simply excited to be right here.”
Given her ceremonial dinner internet hosting chops, we requested Izard for some ideas for throwing an unforgettable gathering at their very own houses, from particular platter and glassware suggestions to internet hosting present etiquette.
When Izard is internet hosting dinner at her home, she says it’s normally family-style. “It is dependent upon the dimensions of the occasion,” she says, “but when it’s at my home, it’s normally going to be a buffet. I really wish to put out a bunch of meals in several places in the home, and it doesn’t all the time even hit on the identical time.” She says that having dips on numerous espresso tables or islands, for instance, also can give company enjoyable aspect quests. “You unfold individuals out just a little bit,” she provides, “and other people can discover snacks throughout, and it’s sort of like a enjoyable journey.”
Don’t arrive early — or on (very) on time
If the invitation says 8 p.m., Izard says that, except the meal is famous as time-sensitive, arrival at 8:15 p.m. is sensible. “You don’t wish to be tremendous late, but when it’s 7:45, know that I’m nonetheless in pajamas and drying my hair. Please don’t come early as a result of I actually received’t be sporting underwear but.”
Assigned seating could make for higher mingling
Once more, Izard says this is dependent upon the dimensions of a celebration. “However I’m all about assigned seating when acceptable,” she says, “For one, I feel it’s enjoyable to combine and match {couples} or company. I additionally don’t need anybody to really feel omitted — like they’ve to seek out their seat on the lunch desk.”
Let vibrant napkins get up your tablescape
We’re longtime everyday-cloth-napkin-lovers at Eater. Izard chosen this set from Anthropologie as her ceremonial dinner decide, including, “They carry a lot vibrancy to the desk, with added enjoyable of the napkins not all being precisely the identical coloring. I feel ceremonial dinner napkins needs to be enjoyable! Units the vibe.”
Deliver some new wines to the desk
As Izard says, “Becoming a member of a wine membership (or a pair) is an effective way to get new wines coming commonly! Looks as if the right purpose to host a cocktail party, to create enjoyable meals to strive alongside new wines! Saviah Cellars is one in every of my favourite wineries in Walla Walla, WA. Smaller manufacturing of gorgeous wines produced by a terrific household! (We additionally make our home Goat pink with them!)”
A welcome cocktail is a should — and get inventive with glassware
“All the time enjoyable to have a welcome cocktail or mocktail when pals arrive,” says Izard, “I really like the retro vibe of this glassware. A number of totally different enjoyable designs.”
When unsure, deliver a dip in a cute bowl
Izard additionally enjoys Anthropologie’s array of colourful dip bowls. “It’s turn into a working joke, my obsession with dips once I host,” she says. “All the time a choice of my faves, from tahini-tofu dip to carrot ‘hummus’ to easy French onion. I feel I may simply dwell on dips and be pleased.”
Spend money on an enormous, stunning serving board
Lastly, Izard says that she loves “utilizing a terrific board, both for a terrific unfold of meats and cheeses to start out, or for a big format minimize of meat together with sides and sauces to let every visitor select their very own journey! The little groove to catch any little bit of juices or sauce is essential.”
Try Valley Goat right here and be taught extra about Eater’s Dinner Celebration sequence right here. Discover extra of Eater’s final 20 years of meals and tradition with Eater Off Menu.
