Padma Lakshmi Spills Her Summer Entertaining Secrets

Summertime entertaining can be a breeze, if you approach it the right way. All photos: padmalakshmi/Instagram

There’s nothing like a summer soiree, right? Padma Lakshmi agrees. The Top Chef host is a pro at hosting easy, breezy dinner parties befitting of the season. She pays attention to everything from seasonal ingredients to table decor, without ever going overboard. In other words, Lakshmi is all about superb summertime simplicity.

Below, Lakshmi gives us the down low on her summertime entertaining style, and what to do if you don’t have an outdoor space. (Hint: it involves bringing the outside in!) One you’ve got down the basics, check out Lakshmi’s board over at Yahoo Food’s Pinterest page, which includes recipes for plenty of fresh summertime salads, grilled seasonal veggies, and lots of things on toast.

Here’s to you hosting a festive shindig or two this summer!

“Wonderfully refreshing carrot salad on a warm summer afternoon,” Lakshmi posted to Instagram.

Yahoo Food: So you’re a big fan of entertaining. How often do you host dinner parties in the summer?

Lakshmi: I would say about every other week, if it’s planned. People tend to drop by at the end of the day spontaneously just for a drink or tea, too.

What makes summer entertaining special to you?

There is a casual elegance to summer entertaining that appeals to me. I never like a dinner party to be stiff or too formal, but summer brings out an ease in people that makes them relaxed and more likely to mingle.

What are your go-to summer entertaining dishes?

I like to use whatever I can that’s fresh and in season. I go to the green market and plan my menu based on what’s there. I also make sure to do most of my cooking ahead so I can relax. I serve things room temperature, like rice pilaf with a Spanish tortilla and a big roasted summer vegetable salad. Also peaches are coming in now, and I love stone fruits steeped in red wine and chilled for a decadent but simple dessert.

Fresh, seasonal vegetables rule the roost in Padma’s kitchen.

What drinks do you like to serve at summer soirees?

For summer parties we usually serve our “company drink,” which is a mixture of vodka, grapefruit juice, club soda, orange blossom water, pickled jalapeño juice, and mint/basil or a light prosecco cocktail.

How do you like to set the table?

For outdoor dining I keep it relatively casual and accent the table with bright flowers like dahlias or peonies in tiny vases.

What’s your most memorable summer entertaining experience?

Last summer I threw a surprise 70th birthday party for my mom. All of our relatives were in town from India for a wedding and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to do something big for her. That morning I told my Aunt Neela to take her to the spa and distract her while we strung up lights and decorated the garden terrace. We set up a chaat station (Indian street food) had a photo booth and a fantastic tabla player. When my mom opened the door to the apartment, she was met with 80 of her closest friends and family. Needless to say she was completely shocked. At sunset we had everyone take a turn toasting her and tell stories about her life. It was a beautiful experience that I will never forget.

“Another harvest in the garden,” posted Lakshmi.

Have you ever have a summer party go awry? What’d you do to fix it?

Luckily I can’t remember a party going awry, but generally when that happens it’s because of a lack of planning. We always have cans of San Marzano tomatoes and dry pasta in our larder so if worse comes to worst, we just make a big pasta for all and call it a day! A party is about people, so if you have a good group of friends they will all help out. At times, the disaster is what makes people come together.

Do you have any summer entertaining secrets that might surprise people?

Well I have been known to get fried chicken from a local place called Bobwhite and then just make all the sides myself. I make really good fried chicken and so folks tend to ask for it when they’re invited over. Sometimes when I don’t have the time but still want to entertain, I will go this route. I always come clean though. It’s fine. The sides are where it’s at if you ask me!

Lakshmi is a huge fan of fried chicken.

What’s the best setting for a summer party? What if you don’t have an outdoor space?

I always like to do it outdoors in a garden or on a terrace or roof, but if you don’t have access to an outdoor space you can make your home feel summery with light linen or gauzy cotton fabrics strewn about, or keep things airy and breezy by changing heavy drapes. I am not a big fan of air conditioning; leaving the windows open especially on a summer night is very nice. Also, just simple tea lights in canisters against walls can make it feel cozy (but be careful about the hems of dresses!!). I have also strung up a simple string with twinkly lights and put up photos of friends and family with clothes pins if it’s for a particular occasion or someone’s birthday.

As for music, reggae somehow always has an outdoor feel! We did a seafood supper once with paella and lobster and since it was indoors (and hence no wind) I decorated the table with little mounds of beach sand and shells. Just be careful it doesn’t spill into the food — you need to be sparing with it. But if you use glue on a thick paper tablecloth you can even make little designs with the sand and then dust off the excess.

What mistakes do people often make with summer entertaining?

I think when hosts try to make everything perfectly synchronized and aren’t able to enjoy themselves, it’s a shame. I like to keep my parties very intimate and relaxed. I get much of my cooking out of the way before I get ready for the party myself. I ask my guests to help and I try to let go once guests arrive. A big mistake folks make is to cook too many dishes and make it more complicated than it needs to be. Another mistake is not to take people up on their offer when they ask if they can help you. I am famous among my friends for putting everyone to work!

Splendid summer entertaining recipes:

5 Frozen Treats That Aren’t Ice Cream Cones

Cake of the Day: Blueberry Lovers’ Cake

If You Can Make A Smoothie, You Can Make These 3 Summer Soups

Will you host a party this summer? Tell us about it below!