Former ballerina Jessie-Sierra Ross — the voice behind the “Straight to the Hips, Baby” blog — knows a thing or two about the art of presenting something beautiful.
Growing up, she writes, she loved helping her mom bake and observing icons like Julia Child and Martha Stewart make culinary magic. As her career into professional dancing progressed, she found that role complicated her relationship with food — she describes feeling like she had to deny herself decadence in what she ate, but she continued to develop an appreciation for plating and the artistry of a well-laid table.
Retiring from professional dancing gave her time to dig into cooking and hosting parties, where she found a winning formula. Now, she’s passing that advice on in her book, “Seasons Around the Table: Effortless Entertaining with Floral Tablescapes & Seasonal Recipes” (Schiffer, $36).
“I want you to shake off the notion that home entertaining is a thing of the past, that it’s something reserved for that generation of grandmothers who attended antiquated etiquette classes and innately knew the difference between a dessert and salad fork,” she writes. “Home entertaining isn’t about being perfect, and it isn’t about doing everything. It’s about having the best time possible with family and friends.”
For a Hanukkah tablescape, she advises, focus on a color palette of blue and yellow-orange. Add fresh blooms like roses, purple lisianthus, aster, Queen Anne’s Lace and stalks of millet. Add detail and texture with blue table runners, dreidels and chocolate gelt — and delicious food, like classic latkes with sweet or savory toppings.
New Year’s Eve cocktails? Focus on bright whites, accented with touches of green and gold, and flowers like roses, hydrangea, willow branches and greens. Use vintage cocktail glasses, candles and plenty of Champagne, Ross says.
