Ep 58: Hosting with Heart: Breaking the Rules of Traditional Entertaining

“The heart of hospitality isn’t about impressing others but making them feel welcome.”

— Saanya Ali

Summary of the episode

Welcome back to episode 58 of nosyAF!

In this episode of nosyAF: Conversations About Art, Activism, and Social Change, host Stephanie sits down with Saanya Ali, founder of Soiree, to discuss how she is hosting with heart and redefining hospitality through her creative and joyful approach to gatherings. Saanya shares how hosting can move beyond stress and formality, focusing instead on connection and generosity. From her international upbringing to her passion for food and community, Saanya highlights how hospitality can be as simple as pizza on the floor with friends, emphasizing that the experience is about people, not perfection.

Topics discussed:

🍜Hosting with heart means prioritizing connection over perfection and making everyone feel valued and at home.

🍕A dinner party doesn’t have to be elaborate. It can be pizza on the floor—the connection matters," says Saanya.

🍽️ By breaking down the barriers to hosting, Saanya shows everyone can create memorable experiences, no matter the setting.

🥂Hospitality is about generosity and bringing people together, whether at a lavish event or a casual get-together.

All About Saanya:

Saanya Ali is a storyteller, writer, self-trained chef, and community-builder. She founded SOIRÉE, a platform that simplifies hosting for a new generation of entertainers. Born in Switzerland to South Asian parents and having traveled to over 65 countries, Saanya is fascinated by how food connects people across cultures and traditions. For her, a shared meal is more than just food—it's a way to break down barriers, tell stories, and bring people closer to their roots and communities.

After graduating from NYU's Gallatin School with a focus on Mixed Media Storytelling and Human Rights, Saanya worked at Well+Good before leaving in 2022 to focus full-time on SOIRÉE. The platform offers playful, practical solutions for Gen Z hosts, prioritizing authenticity, creativity, and accessibility over perfection.

At heart, Saanya is a curious third-culture kid who passionately believes in the power of food and connection. Her journey, from her multicultural upbringing to her extensive travels, has reinforced her belief that food is a universal language that can bridge cultural gaps and foster meaningful connection.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• SOIRÉE Website
• Sign up for the Saanya’s newsletter: SOIRÉE

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“We dont need a run of show!”

"Food is a universal language—it brings people together, and that's what hospitality is all about."

"The heart of hospitality isn’t about impressing others but making them feel welcome.”

Connect with Saanya

Instagram: @justsoiree

Website: https://www.justsoiree.com/

Connect with Stephanie

Instagram: @stephaniegraham

Email: [email protected]

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Episode Credits:

Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)

Lyrics: Queen Lex

Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam