Name: Katy Syme
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Who do you like to cook for? My partner and I—and any of my supper club guests.
Kitchen superpower: Helping everyone feel held and welcome the moment they enter the room.
Growing up in the suburbs of London, Allrecipes Allstar Katy Syme learned to cook by watching her mom and other women in her family create from-scratch meals with ease and love. When she moved to New York City to take her modeling career to the next level, she brought all of those lessons with her.
“To this day, when I don’t know what to make for dinner, I fall back on what mom made for the family. One-pan chicken dishes with as many vegetables as she could sneak in, traditional English shepherd’s pie, and slow-cooked beef stew all still feel like home,” she says.
Thousands of miles from her original home, Syme found herself craving the connection her family shared around the table, so she started a supper club. Someday, she dreams of planting even deeper roots.
“I’d love to purchase land for a farm so I can open a farmstand, bakery, restaurant, and maybe even a hotel,” she says.
Katy Syme
Allrecipes: We’ve loved seeing behind-the-scenes sneak peeks of your supper club on social media. It looks like so much fun—and so delicious! Tell us about how this came to be.
Katy Syme: The supper club, which I began hosting monthly in January 2023, was born from my desire for connection. Many of my friends had moved away, got new jobs, or were having kids; we just all had new rhythms of life that came out of the pandemic. I posted online: “If you’d like to come to a dinner party, let me know.” About 100 people messaged me, including folks I had never even met before. That barrage of interest made it clear that we all have the same need for community. I created a wait list and sent out eight invitations at a time. It was so fulfilling to see a different group say “yes” to my invitation each month; these gatherings have restored my faith in humanity. All the guests had to do was show up and bring wine. I’d handle the rest. Honestly, I got so much from this in return. The club is currently on hiatus as I complete my master’s degree in psychology, but I hope to bring it back to life someday.
Chatting with strangers can be daunting for many of us. How do you get the conversations going?
On each place card, I add a conversation starter for just this reason! One recent favorite: What’s your most extravagant purchase, and do you regret it?
What is your number one secret for hosting a gathering that folks won’t soon forget about?
Besides the basics—helping people feel warm and welcome, serving a balanced menu, greeting them at the door with a drink and an introduction so they feel part of the party—it’s all about the little details. For instance, I bought a personalized stamp, which I press on little goodie bags I share with folks to send them away with a midnight snack or treat for the next day. But it can be as simple and subtle as buying a type of wine you know one guest really loves.
Katy Syme
How about when you’re just attending? What’s your go-to host gift?
As a host, I actually prefer something that I’m not obligated to use that night, since I typically have the menu all planned. A nice candle, some great olive oil, a beautiful tea towel, or cocktail napkins; all of these are lovely, although bringing a gift is never something I would expect if I’m just having friends over!
When you’re invited to a potluck, what is your signature dish?
This might be unpopular to say, but the winner for me is a fancy salad. Vegetables are often cooked, and a fresh salad brings bright acidity and relief amongst the heavier dishes. Since it’s winter, my go-to is hearty, finely chopped green radicchio, with chopped dates, pomegranate seeds, nuts, and cheese. Absolutely perfect. Or on the flip side, I’m not scared of baking, so I will take that one for the team! Warm brownies with whipped cream or my friend Erin’s Nutella French Silk Pie never disappoint.
We know that you’re quite the world traveler. If we could transport you to any city in the world to enjoy dinner tonight, where would you go and what would you eat?
I would go to Japan, specifically Tokyo, for ramen. I’ve never been there, but I would love to experience the food and culture. If I can add on an aperitif, I’d love to relive an experience I had with a friend. We drove down Highway 101 along the California coast and stopped at a cafe overlooking the ocean. We had a little bite and a glass of wine there, and I think about it all the time. That was the most amazing glass of wine I had in my entire life!
You use the word “nourishment” on Instagram posts. What does that word mean to you?
It’s not just the food. Feeling nourished is the result of the love, warmth, and connection that occur around the table. Food is a by-product of that. Helping others feel nourished is why I love to host.
Katy Syme
