One of our most commonly asked questions is, "What do I cook for large groups?' With questions from meal planning to logistics and everything in between this is an area of uncertainly for many hosts. When I was thinking of who to bring on to add wisdom to this conversation, Tieghan Gerard was the first to come to mind!

If you have spent any time searching for recipes, you have likely come across Half Baked Harvest. Tieghan has become well known and well loved in so many of our homes for her delectable recipes with unique twists for the everyday host. Coming from a large family and learning to cook for full tables from a young age she is a wealth of encouragement and insight on this very topic!

As an exciting addition, we also will be talking about her new book Half Baked Harvest Every Day, available March 29!

Find out more about Tieghan at Halfbakedharvest.com
Expand your hospitality knowledge at Hospitalityacademie.com

Visit this Episode's Sponsors at:
Emily White Real Estate: Contact Emily here!
Durant Olive Mill: Take 10% of Oregon Made Olive Oil w/ code DURANT
Joolies: Take 20% off your order of the BEST dates with code GATHER20
Plants by People: Order your plant based tonic for 15% off with code GATHER15 Kayty's current favorites are BLOOM and HARMONY

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Looking ahead to spring feels good right about now! Sunshine, flowers and then ...the spring cleaning! 

As we looked ahead to this years big sweep, we wanted to approach it from two angles: How to make it attainable, to give us confidence for warm weather hospitality AND How to take on these big projects with safer products. As we thought about who to bring on for the conversation, there was no one better than BRANCH BASICS! 

Kelly Love, one of Branch Basics founders will be leading us through: 

• 5 Focuses for Spring Cleaning 
• The Truth About Disinfecting 
• How to Make Your Own Air Purifier 
• The Difference Between Fragrance Free & Unscented 
• How Branch Basics Products can Replace ALL of your Cleaning Supplies 
• & more! 

Together we will learn the importance of this seasonal clean for the health of our family and preparation for our gatherings! I promise, you'll be excited to start cleaning!

Follow Kelly, Her Story & Get Your Own Branch Basics Products on their website!
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This episode was graciously sponsored by our friends at
Emily White RealEstate on instagram @emilylovejoywhite
Plants by People &
Joolies Order your own for 20% off with code Gather20 

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A few weeks ago a question came into our Instagram Account:
"Asking people to take off their shoes: Big deal or no?"

As we posted our quick response, it opened up a big dialogue which revealed big feelings about the topic. What we found is that there are two sides to the 'shoes in the house' conversation and neither is right or wrong! Yet, it's worth diving into!

For many reasons a host may want guests to remove their shoes. In the same way, for many reasons a guest may feel more comfortable leaving their shoes on. In this conversation we will be talking through understanding why/how each stance holds on to their value and how to better understand the other side.

While it seemed a bit...silly to cover an episode entirely focused on shoes, these conversations are quite possibly amongst the most valuable! So often in hospitality offenses come through the small  details and have the possibility of being a wedge that severs a potential relationship.

I don't want shoes to create relational divide on my watch. SO, Let's talk about it to be better prepared for this situation and develop a deeper understanding for both sides in the process!

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Joolies Dates & Emily Lovejoy White Real Estate! 

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Are you into Jig Saw Puzzles? Truthfully, me neither! However, they've been on my mind a lot lately! I have really be struck by puzzles that are left with just one corner finished. Why? Because they leave you with only a small glimpse into the beauty of the whole picture that can only be discovered when it's put together piece by piece. 

Much like our own lives, and our world views, when we limit ourselves to one set of beliefs, traditions or cultural norms, we aren't able to fully grasp the beauty of what is available, the whole picture. We limit ourself to just one corner. 

I have been incredibly passionate about learning how other cultures approach the table, and with that the many ways we can learn from them! To help me better understand Thai Table culture I welcomed on Hong Thaimee, Entrepreneur, NYC Thai Restaurant Owner & a new Gather Friend! 

Through this episode we will discuss:

• Thai Food 101 
  • The rich history of what formed Thai flavors and cooking technique 
  • The difference between food from Northern Thai food & Southern Thai food 
• How Thai food is served, enjoyed and ordered 
• What table culture is like growing up in a Thai Household 
• What Sets Thai Hospitality Apart
• The beauty of a good question asker 
• & MORE! 

Join us in this conversation that will certainly make you laugh, make you hungry and give you some inspiration for your own table! 

Visit Hong at: 
https://www.hongthaimee.com/
& 
@hongthaimee

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Do you implement systems & stations at your gatherings?
No? Well you are in the RIGHT place!

Stations help your guests, help themselves. Most importantly, stations allow you to step back while the party runs itself! With a little intention in the planning you will find time to focus on other aspects of the gathering, or valuable time with your guests in return!

Kayty, owner and Hospitality Educator of Gather believes that systems and stations are the key to navigating all of our events with ease. Based off her class Ready: Feeling Equipped for Everyday Hospitality from Hospitality Academie, she will be discussing the basics of how to craft a drink stations and why they matter!

From the types of drink stations that you can create to ways to design them with ease, this episode will surely give any host tips that they will be able to directly apply to their next gathering.

Are you looking for ways to enhance your next drink station? Be sure to follow our episode sponsors Plants by People to add stunning, vibrant  plant based tonics to the mix!

Do you want to learn more and continue to grow your hospitality skillset? Join us in Hospitality Academie as a member today! 

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When you first think about etiquette what comes to mind? 

For many of us we quickly think of shows like Downton Abbey or hospitality from our grandparents era. I recently was thinking about this topic and how little we as a culture know not just about it's importance but...what it really is! In this episode Etiquette Coach Courtney Opalko will talk through: 

• The difference between old school etiquette and modern etiquette 
• How etiquette can translate into essential life "soft-skills" 
• Must know etiquette for the modern day adult including 

1.  How to hold your stemware 
2.  How to properly use a napkin 
3.  Learn how to apologize appropriately 
4.  Write & send thank you notes 
5. Posture & eye contact

• 5 etiquette musts to teach our kids from how to set the table to how to properly hold utensils! 

Join us in this conversation that will certainly reframe the way you see etiquette at your table! 

To learn more about etiquette join Hospitality Academie for Courtney's upcoming etiquette classes this winter! Get access to all of her classes for adults and children with 10% off annual memberships with code "Courtney" 

Follow Courtney at @courtneyopalkoetiquette

This episode was sponsored by our friends at Plants by People. Visit their website to learn more and get your hands on your own tonic!

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Before you skip over to the next episode, hang tight, let's talk!

You see, so often at our tables, we want to put a cherry on top of grief. We want to change the topic and move on to something that covers the sting. However, the most precious gift we can give someone at our table, is the gift of making room. Our friend Peace Amadi will be walking us through what it looks like to walk through this very topic with us today:
We will be working through:

What is grief?
What triggers grief and what to expect from those in our life experiencing grief?
Why it's important to not overlook or brush past grief?
How to let people be there for you as you go through grief
How to support those in our community practically

Our tables have the incredible opportunity to allow our guests to be seen, heal and carry the weight that grief can often bring. Join us as we dive into a hospitality topic that helps us move one step closer to cultivating meaningful connection through our tables.

Get your own copy of Peace's book here!

More About Peace Amadi:
Mental Health Expert Dr. Peace Amadi, PsyD, is a Professor, Author, Speaker, Coach, and TV Host who helps high-potential people heal and lead. From leaders, content creators, and entrepreneurs, to pastors, parents, and teachers, Dr. Peace is a coach and cheerleader to the people in our lives that everyone goes to. 

@itspeaceamadi
http://peaceamadi.com/

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Our culture says a few things about hospitality with kids: 
1: "It's not possible, just accept it"
2: "You need to wait for the next season, then it will get better"

Kendra Adachi from The Lazy Genius talks with me in this episode about how hosting with kids is more than just possible, it can be good! We will walk through: 

• What happens when we "wait for this stage to be over"
• How to reframe our expectation of mixing children & Hospitality 
• Why it's important to invite people into your homes as a part of relationship. 
• How and why to stop apologizing for our kids and homes
• Where to start when you are looking for deeper relationships as a parent.
• What to do when someone comes over and the kids are off the walls
• How to not carry the responsibility of your spouses social experience 
• & more 

Join us in this conversation that is transformational for the host without kids that wants to welcome families in, the parents who have been stuck in the "kid phase for too long" and are longing for community... and everyone in between!

Follow Kendra & The Lazy Genius
Pre- Order Kendra's Book The Lazy Genius Kitchen Here!
@thelazygenius

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A few weeks ago, we had the incredible privilege of welcoming Jacques Pepin on the podcast to talk about his life and legacy. Today we are turning the spotlight to further discuss the work he so passionately and generously pursues through the Jacques Pepin Foundation.

To have this conversation we welcomed on the JPF executive director, and Jacques Son-in-law, Rollie Wesen. Through this episode you will learn about the ways community kitchens are being used to empower and give opportunity to those with high barriers of entry into society. You will see how powerful collaboration is and what is being done coast to coast through the non-profits that the JPF supports.

Here at Gather, we are so passionate about this work because about 5 years ago, Gather started as a life skill training program based in my home kitchen half way across the world in Chiang Mai Thailand. We were working to assist at-risk youth re-enter society through baking and mentorship in the kitchen.  While we have moved back stateside and evolved from this specific model, we are committed through all we do to bring awareness to the power of the kitchen, its ability to heal, open doors of opportunity & bring communities together.

Through all we do, our goal is is to support this work being done around the world through education and finances to see that these programs have all they need to continue with strength! Join us in the conversation with Rollie Wesen, and if you are compelled, join us also in giving towards their nationwide, community-shifting work.

Follow the Jacques Pepin Foundation at:
https://jp.foundation
@jacquespepinfoundation

Follow the work of the non-profits mentioned in this episode at:
Wholesome Wave
Community Servings
Southside Community Land Trust

Sign up for workshops with Jacques!
Become a Member
Learn to Cook With Jacques

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Whether we want to believe it or not, the holiday season is here! With that comes the balancing act of making baking fun while also being stress free! Hands up if you would like to make this year's baking a little less chaotic! We are overjoyed to welcome professional baker Joy the Baker to talk through everything holiday baking prep. From her experience in other people's kitchens, to becoming reputable in her own, Joy is a wealth of knowledge for the everyday host! In this episode we will dive into how to create a theme for your holiday baking, why to allow failure in the kitchen, and how to start small by mastering one recipe first!

For the master baker to the first time baker, this episode will help you welcome in the holiday season with new excitement!

Find Joy at:
www.joythebaker.com
@joythebaker

Buy your own conversation napkins that we discussed in our conversation here! 

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