We like to get together in fashion! /Photograph credit score Fotostorm/GettyImages:
The unofficial begin of summer season 2026 has arrived (even when it rains lots)! After an extended and brutal winter, we’re right here for the brand new season. Summer time means cute summer season clothes, longer days, rooftop events, yard events, and extra enjoyable outside gatherings, so go for it! Are you continue to on the visitor checklist however now wish to throw your individual memorable get together? Say much less: Amber Mayfield Hewett entered the chat.
Hewett is an award-winning occasion producer and the writer of the forthcoming e book, It is Your Flip to Host: A Information to Main Events and Gatherings. Moreover, the multi-hyphenate inventive who started her skilled profession at main networks together with Bravo and NBC is the founding father of To Be Hosted. Because the founding father of To Be Hosted, Hewett has gained over her spectacular checklist of purchasers starting from Pinterest, Peloton, Pepsi, and Spotify. She additionally helped make CultureCon the favored occasion it’s immediately.
The dog-loving mother shares her industry-tested secrets and techniques to being the hostess with essentially the most hostesses on this unique interview. Even should you’ve by no means hosted a get-together at residence, are on a strict funds (as a result of aren’t all of us?), or are afraid to even be too near a grill or range, Hewett has suggestions for throwing a memorable, Pinterest-perfect get together that may wow all of your family and friends.
ESSENCE: Congratulations in your fantastic new e book, Your flip to host! What was your best Iany inspiration to write down it?
AMBER MAYFIELD HEWETT: THANKS! Many books within the lodging house are literally cookbooks with a lodging lens. I’ve spent the final decade working as an occasions planner, producing all the things from dinners and weddings to galas, festivals and TV present premieres, so my perspective is completely different. I used to be excited to write down about my ideas on events and internet hosting and share data past recipes and flower preparations. I hope to assist others strategy internet hosting with extra confidence and care. I used to be additionally deeply motivated by the chance to current a sheltering e book centered on black tradition.
ESSENCE: Our economic system at the moment sucks and can undoubtedly impression how folks entertain themselves this summer season. What are your suggestions for entertaining to economize?
HEWETT: 1) Create a small co-host scenario with one or two associates who additionally wish to host. You’ll every deliver one thing completely different to the desk and ideally, you’ll divide and management prices. 2) Rethink the kind of get together. Not all the things must be a sit-down dinner or a full bar. Sport nights, afternoon tea, film nights, and craft nights are all gatherings that do not require heavy investments in meals and flowers, which are usually costly. 3) In the case of friends, much less is extra. Greeting in small teams and with a relaxed sentimentality will assist preserve prices down.
ESSENCE: Your grandmother’s epic espresso cake recipe is within the e book! Past this recipe, what has it taught you about being an important host?
HEWETT: I’ve such a candy tooth. I’ve at all times beloved truffles, cookies and pies. Actually, I feel I inherited this gene from each of my grandmothers, however it was by way of exploring my grandmother Ruth’s kitchen and serving to my mom bake truffles for church that I actually developed my love for baking. Past that, my grandmother Ruth gave me the mannequin for making easy issues really feel particular. I at all times loved birthday events or after church meals at her home with all my cousins. The meals was plentiful, the decor was modest and the laughter was at all times there. This has additionally change into the spirit of how I host.
ESSENCE: Do you and your husband have an annual gathering in the summertime?
HEWETT: I like that the summer season solar and lengthy weekends change into this pure invitation to be collectively and have as a lot enjoyable as doable. We entertain casually and you could find us close to a grill or pool as typically as doable. This summer season we will likely be touring lots for my e book tour. I host a cake adorning get together in New York, a wine occasion in Washington, DC, a celebration visioning session in Los Angeles, and a celebration planning workshop in Detroit. I additionally attend occasions in Cannes, France, New Orleans and Martha’s Winery. Ticket data will likely be posted on my Instagram account for anybody within the internet hosting section who wish to be part of me.
ESSENCE: How essential is it to inject cultural parts (past meals) into occasions in our residence?
HEWETT: That is important. There’s a lot about internet hosting and entertaining on social media that it is easy to get misplaced in what’s fashionable and exquisite, however an excessive amount of concentrate on these items can rob us of our personal private rituals, cultural nuances, and household traditions. What I hope folks take away from my e book greater than the rest is that an important host balances the previous, the borrowed, and the brand new in a method that feels deeply private and significant.