I spent more than a decade in restaurants, and I still believe the best part of a meal is what happens around it. A first drink that puts everyone at ease. A table that gives people something to talk about. The point in the evening when no one is looking at the time.

Matchbook grew from my love of hosting and from a family that always called it supper. My father kept a bowl of matchbooks by the door, each one a reminder of somewhere we’d been. I wanted to create gatherings that stayed with people in much the same way.

Today, I bring women together for suppers shaped by the season, the setting, and the people taking their seats. I also create private gatherings for occasions worth making your own. The food and details are considered; the best moments belong to the guests.

When I’m not planning the next supper, I’m probably looking for vintage glassware, practicing my oyster shucking, or sharing popcorn with Ophelia and Albert.