By Phebe Wahl By Phebe Wahl | June 5, 2024 | People, People Feature,
We checked in with Hamptonite and stylesetter Sasha Benz (@sasha.benz) for her secret recipe for a perfect party.
Summer entertaining season is here. How do you keep things easy but still elevated when hosting at home? Our Montauk home has always been a very open-door policy with lots of people in and out, which I love, but it also comes with a level of chaos. So, when it comes to hosting, simplicity is key. I have my go-to easy-to-clean table setting, which includes large woven place mats from Bali and statement decor vases with large florals that require very little effort to still give wow factor. Background music always adds some class; we love cool jazz to set the tone. And candles—the easiest way to create a mood.
Are there any staple pieces in the Wyld Blue store that are musthaves for hosting this summer? Are there any go-to host or hostess gifts you recommend?
Cloudy Bay 2023 sauvignon blanc, ReserveBar
Absolutely! I am such a fan of so many home pieces that I personally have woven into our regular tablescape. I adore these shell martini glasses and the Jill catchall for a ‘wow!’ moment at a dinner party. When it comes to bringing a host gift, my absolute favorite go-to pieces are these designer candles, topped with a gift card from my little boy, who sells his cards in-store.
Pet peeves when hosting or attending summer dinner parties? How to avoid them?
I hate when you can tell the host is stressed out or weighed by constantly cleaning and working all night. There are a few ways to avoid this: 1. Prep as much before and try to cook food that requires minimal serving platters. 2. Have a wine (or two) before and during the dinner so you can relax, let the plates pile up and enjoy your company. 3. If you have the luxury, hire someone to help in the kitchen and clean as dinner is happening so you can be completely present with your guests.
Cloudy Bay x LAFCO gift set, Reserve Bar and Wyld Blue
How do you plan a summer menu and table when hosting—from food to drinks to tablescape? What is your process for bringing it all together cohesively?
I’m a big Pinterest fan, so I use inspo from what I have seen for table settings as ideas to change things up. I love to get fresh flowers the day I am hosting too. Just the ritual of doing that excites me to set the table and get creative with what I am serving.
I am not a great cook, but my husband, Oli, is, so I will handle most of the prep, shopping and setup, and I will lay it all out ahead of time so all the dishes are cleaned and platters are laid out. I am a heavy planner, so I like to ensure everything is done well ahead of time (maybe even set the day before) so it’s not a stressful process day-of.
I also like to create a bar area close to the table so people can help themselves during the dinner and decanting some special wines, which I place on the table to pour during the meal.
Favorite hosting memory from past summers? What is your favorite part about hosting?
We have had some really beautiful dinners at the house, but some of my favorite memories are the unplanned meals in our garden. When we all decide to put something together at the last minute, friends and family are all in the kitchen helping out, grabbing things from town. It’s such a casual but perfect harmony of just wanting to hang out and eat good food and drink good wine, which ends in hours of amazing conversations, loads of belly laughs, great music and kids running around your feet.
The zesty , vibrant and captivating sauvignon blanc has been the brand’s flagship wine since 1985 and put New Zealand on the wine map, forever changing the perception of “new world” wines and sauvignon blanc as a variety .
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF SUBJECT AND BRAND