Hosting has always been something I’ve loved. Just thinking about having a big gathering with family and friends — a mix of generations and stories all under one roof — brings me joy. A full house filled with laughter, good food, and genuine connection? That’s a perfect day in my book.
I still remember the very first dinner party I hosted after getting married. I spent hours thinking through every little detail — the menu, the table setting, the order of dishes, even which platter would make the food look most inviting. That attention to detail wasn’t about perfection; it was about creating an atmosphere that made people feel cared for. Since then, hosting Shabbat dinners, holiday meals, and casual get-togethers has become something that fills my heart.
Creating Warmth and Welcome
To me, hospitality is about warmth — the kind that you can feel the moment you walk into a space. It’s about having food and drinks that fit the occasion, about arranging the table or buffet in a way that naturally invites people to gather, talk, and linger. Every occasion has its own rhythm and personality.
A Shabbat dinner or a holiday meal might call for something a bit more elegant — a table beautifully set, candles flickering, and dishes passed from hand to hand. But a Sunday afternoon watching the Packers is its own kind of special too — snacks spread out for grazing, people laughing over the game, and everyone feeling comfortable enough to just be themselves.
The common thread through it all is this: when people feel welcome, they connect. And connection is at the heart of hospitality.
The Beauty of the Table
One of my favorite parts of hosting has always been setting the table. I love using my china — pieces collected from different generations of my family. I have my own set now, along with my mom’s, my great-grandmother’s, and my aunt and uncle’s. Each piece carries a story. Every time I use them, I feel like I’m honoring those who came before me and continuing something they began long ago.
There’s something powerful about gathering around a beautiful table — not because it’s fancy, but because it’s intentional. Whether it’s a polished dinner with serving platters and silverware or an informal spread of finger foods and dips, the table becomes the center of connection. It’s where memories are made.
Lessons from Family
Hospitality runs deep in my family. My grandparents and parents both taught me that having a space where people feel welcome is one of the greatest gifts you can offer. They showed me that even when life is busy, making time for others — opening your home, sharing a meal, listening, laughing — is what builds community.
That belief has shaped not just how I host at home, but how I’ve built Mosaic Catering. Every event we create, whether it’s a family celebration, a wedding, or a community gathering, is rooted in that same love of connection. It’s never just about the food — it’s about the feeling that lingers after everyone leaves.
Hospitality as a Way of Life
Hospitality, for me, isn’t just something I do — it’s a way of life. It’s about noticing what will make others feel at ease, creating spaces that encourage togetherness, and finding joy in those small, shared moments that turn acquaintances into friends and friends into family.
At the end of the day, that’s what Mosaic is all about too: bringing people together through food, care, and connection. Because when we gather — when we share, eat, and laugh together — we build something much bigger than a meal. We build community.
