We partnered with Karen Mordechai, the founder of the communal cooking school Sunday Suppers, and her culinary community to host a spirited Friendsgiving dinner in her Williamsburg, Brooklyn studio. Guests feasted on a rustic menu featuring recipes from Karen’s new book, including a truffled turkey, luxurious mashed potatoes and a pumpkin creme brulee served family-style. Read more interviews with the guests and get the recipes here.
Lizzy Sall is a New York-based interior designer and stylist that has collaborated with Sunday Suppers on a variety of shoots. Read on to find out more about her design background, her cooking and entertaining philosophies and where she finds inspiration.
Tell us about your background and how you got started in interior architecture/design and styling.
I have always loved design on all different scales. Directly out of college I worked in fashion for a number of years. When I decided I was interested in working on a different scale I delved into styling with Karen while applying to go back to school. I was always drawn to interiors because of an innate love of space, and the home, and entertaining, but I had never had any introduction to Architecture until a summer program at Parsons that fostered an immediate love.
How did you become involved with Sunday Suppers?
I got involved with Sunday Suppers when a friend forwarded me the blog knowing how much I would love Karen’s beautiful photography and entertaining. I signed up for the Sunday Suppers picnic on a whim and after attending I knew I had to be a part of it–the aesthetic, the community, and the delicious food spoke to me immediately. I emailed Karen after, we met for lunch at Diner, and the rest is history!
What is your process when you are styling a shoot? Where do you get your inspiration?
New York is an easy place to find inspiration. Even Duane Reade windows are styled thoughtfully. Street fashion, beautiful stores, and such diversity make NYC an inspiration playground. Beyond that I do a LOT of digging through the Internet and image blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram to find that one corner of an image — directly applicable to what I’m doing or not — that starts a theme of color or mood or geometry and I go from there.
Do you cook and entertain at home? If so, how would describe your entertaining style?
Over the years I have entertained a fair amount at home. I love a small dinner party with lots of wine and good friends. The menu can be super simple, like make your own tacos or a huge chopped salad and baguette, to a way more intricate recipe I’ve wanted to try, but what’s most important is that I make it myself and nothing comes out of a box or can. There is something about the handmade aspect that makes it feel like more love and care was invested.
What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving rituals? What are your favorite things to eat and cook during the holiday?
I love to bake. The architect in me loves to make things that come out looking exactly as I want them too. So for as long as I can remember, I have made a slew of desserts for large family Thanksgivings (30 +) even though they’re at my aunt’s house and not mine. Holidays are the perfect excuse for too many pies, cakes, whoopie pies, and cookies.
Have you ever hosted or been to a Friendsgiving? What are the elements that make a memorable gathering?
My fiance and I plan on hosting our first Friendsgiving this year at a family house on the Bay in Rhode Island. For me, a well matched guest list that is a little unexpected, good music, and a cozy environment where everyone feels at home usually means a very memorable gathering.
What is your favorite Sunday Suppers dinner/menu?
Everything I have eaten with Sunday Suppers has been insanely yummy but I think that first picnic left such an impression on me it will forever be my favorite.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you are excited about?
Yes ! I am working on a few beach houses that are ground up projects. I love the ocean to my core, and I love the idea of a family gathering space that is so focused on fun, activity and loved ones, so I am super excited about them.
You can have anyone in the world at your dinner table—who would you pick?
Three of my favorite women and biggest role models in life have passed away. Bringing them all down from heaven and having them at my table would be better than anyone famous. Nothing beats people who know and love you.
What’s for dinner tonight?
If I am being honest I am mid move so dinner will probably be takeout. However, in general we do a Farm share in Harlem, and my fiance sells grass fed beef — so our fridge usually has a lot of random seasonal ingredients we need to experiment with before they go bad. It is a fun way to try new things we typically wouldn’t. And with fall here now I am excited to get back to great roasted veggies like squash and sweet potatoes.