Making Room by Gather

I’ll start here. There have been seasons where I have royally messed up on friendship. Chances are you are either nodding your head as someone who is in the same position or have unfortunately been on the other side of a friendship gone wrong. While I have been grateful for the increasing amount of relationship resources in culture, there still is so much to discover. If there’s one thing I learne...

'What should I serve guests with dietary restrictions'  Over the past few months, this has without a question been our most commonly asked question!   Let's be honest, it can be intimidating! After years of eating, cooking and catering gluten and dairy free myself, I have learned quite a bit along the way. Through this Date with Kayt we will talk through:  -How the way we talk about...

Kids, food, and hospitality have become a trio that leaves both parents and hosts with angst and uncertainty. While we all dream of community dinners, smooth meals at guest homes, and kids that happily eat ALL of everything they are served, we know that is rarely the reality. As with parenting culture in general, people are quick to throw advice around, yet few are actually experts on helping you...

Wine causes both delight and a lot of head scratching when it comes to hospitality. Without a doubt, wine is considered a significant part of hospitality and food culture around the world. We all can think of a time where we have sipped the perfect glass, and stopped to savor the perfect pairing with the meal being enjoyed with it. It isn’t always this way, however. So many of us find ourselves sa...

Cozy: We seek it and we crave it. If we’re honest with ourselves we feel that a certain level of cozy is only achievable by a select few. We can all think of a home we’ve been in, or one we’ve dreamed over through our social screen, that feels nothing shy of inviting. Each detail intentionally placed, each color complimenting the next, all woven together in a way that says, “You’re welcome here.”...

“Wait, but what am I supposed to wear?” Have you ever received an invitation to an event and wondered that very question? We’ve all seen the movie plots where someone underdresses for a very formal occasion AND more times than not, that very plot finds its way into our own lives. So much of social anxiety starts with the invitation. When too little information is given or information is misunderst...

There is something so enticing about BBQ. Around the world this cooking technique is used and well-loved. With the summer upon us, cookouts are on our minds and yet so many of us only fall in the “I can cook a decent burger” category of BBQ skill level. All of us can say that there's a level of BBQ or grilling that we would love to improve in to give us an extra kick of confidence. Pit Master...

* This Episode is not suitable for little ears* This past week a question came into our inbox:  " How do I host someone at my house that is 'creepy' with my kids"  ...The question also included red flags that I believe many of you are facing and likely wondering how to deal with at your table.  Through this conversation I will bring to the table what I believe will be the start...

We’ve all been mesmerized by cookie decorating videos at one time or another. Something about them gives us a sense of wonder and a confidence that, “If they can do it…surely I can too!” We walk down the aisles of the grocery store buying far too many supplies, none of which we know how to use properly. We head home only to find out that we, in fact, should have looked up just a few more tutorials...

Each month I lead one episode to dive deeper into hospitality, community, relationship and intentional living. This episode is one that was brewing in my heart all month, and finally I was able to put it to words!  It is very likely that you have had both of these experiences: - Leaving an event feeling more disconnected than when you walked in &  - Leaving an interaction feeling deeply seen a...

Many of us daydream of leaving our home country to pursue our dreams, yet not many of us find ourselves making that a reality. Amelie Kang was one of the few who took the leap, leaving her home in China to move to America and explore a career in culinary arts. After years of being a student to a Chinese teacher with international cooking exposure and her grandmother's culinary influence, her...

If I could, I would be on the Mediterranean coast with salty air and surrounded by all the olives, mint, hummus, and local flavors one could imagine at any given time! My whole life I have savored (and craved) Middle Eastern flavors and am always looking for new dishes to try and more ways to incorporate them into my everyday life. Like many cuisines, I find that we generally have a limited scope...

Self-care is one of the loudest messages our culture is screaming at us right now. With products, ideas, food, and marketing all created with this end goal in mind, is it possible this may be leading us to an unexpected end result? I have been following Primally Pure, a non-toxic skincare line, for years! A few weeks ago, I heard the owner, Bethany McDaniel, share a unique spin on this topic and i...

Figlia is a word that captivated me at first glance. It means “daughter” in Italian, but the Figlia Aperitivo team has expanded it to mean, “A tribute to the power of family- the given and the chosen. A community built for honest conversations. To offer a seat at the table and lend an ear. To serve the good stuff and talk about the hard stuff. To laugh, cry, and think together.” I am always drawn...

Renovations and home building always seem a whole lot more glamorous when we’re watching them onTV. However, when it comes time to embark on a project like that ourselves, that’s an entirely different story. From excitement and big dreams, to surprises and messes, renovations and custom builds can seem like a daunting undertaking, but …it doesn’t have to.  We invited Kirsten Erickson from Alma Hom...

Cookies and health sound like an unlikely pair, but not to Sweet Loren’s Cookies owner, Loren Brill. After finding herself with a cancer diagnosis in her 20’s, she gained a new outlook on the connection between food and health. On her journey to learning how to make nutrient rich food delicious, she realized one thing - she was missing a crave worthy dessert that she could feel good about. This le...

This week, we have the unique opportunity of giving you access to an audio clip  from Shauna Neiquests newest release, 'I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet.' Shauna has quickly become one of my favorite authors, after reading her book Present over Perfect. Her relatable storytelling invites you the beauty and vulnerability of all she shares, and in turn makes you feel known.  With th...

Have you ever found yourself in an ‘in-between’ season? A season of waiting, of wondering, of pain, or uncertainty? There is no question that this journey of moving back to America AND navigating starting a business has sparked ALL those and more for us. A few weeks ago, a new book flooded my instagram feed. It felt like everyone was posting about the launch of “What If It’s Wonderful?” by Nicole...

I grew up watching two things religiously: Game shows and Cooking Shows. Something about them inspired me, sparked curiosity and the dreams of what could be. As I got older, my love for these shows grew as I continued to follow new shows, new show concepts and new hosts. Recently, I began following Gail Simmons, chef, cookbook author, Tv personality and Judge on Bravo's Top Chef.  While I was...

This episode is a sweet one! With Easter and spring holidays right around the corner, we will talk through some details I am planning for my own spring entertaining, and fresh inspiration for your tables too! A season full of flowers, vibrant table scapes and  perfect weather, it's my favorite time to host! With the same holidays year after year, sometimes our tables can feel a little dull or...

Stacey Morgan prepared, as much as she could, to send her husband into space. Alongside members of the NASA community, her kids, and the world, her husband took off, leaving her with the sheer reality that this could be the most celebratory season of her life, or the most tragic. Through this striking reality, she was left to question, ‘Where does my hope rest?’ As weeks went by, she faced parts o...

If you've been around Making Room for a while, you have likely noticed our growth and changes along the way! We want you to feel at home in this space, so we wanted to share some updates with you! Coming up on Making Room we will be honing in on three main categories, to prepare you holistically for everyday hospitality. Our episodes will fall in three main categories: Food, Design & Peop...

Many of you are likely looking at the title thinking, ‘Is this week’s guest married to JOHN STAMOS?’, The answer is yes! Caitlin Mchugh Stamos joins us at the table, with her dynamic life and career experience spanning from acting and jewelry design to her newest venture launching a podcast. As a mom of an almost 4 year old, her hands are full with the joys of parenting, the challenges of parentin...

Williams Sonoma is one of those brands that I would consider a pillar in the hospitality industry. They are known for their quality and their cutting edge design, but most of all I know them for the products that have filled my wish list holiday after holiday, year after year. Through their seasonal collections, they welcome designers to curate lines that breathe fresh, unique aesthetic into their...

Our weeknight meal rotation can get pretty dull, quickly! In the hustle and hurry, so often our table gets filled with food that is far from what we’d call…delicious. Quickly reaching for processed foods, and resorting to new recipes that we’re not quite sure how we feel about, many of us are calling out with an SOS. We all crave the skill to be able to serve food that we are proud to put in front...