Setting The Table With… Lily Vanilli
Introducing Setting The Table, The Handbook‘s brand new series celebrating the art of the dinner party. And we couldn’t think of anyone more fitting to get the party started than London’s Queen of Cakes herself, Lily Jones of Lily Vanilli fame.
Fresh from her exciting collaboration with the Four Seasons Hotel at Tower Bridge, where she’s launched a decadent afternoon tea brimming with mini cocktails and show-stopping cakes, Lily reveals her own dinner party style. Forget the sponge – think oysters, endless champagne, mountains of roast potatoes, absinthe-laced ice cream, and a playlist featuring the legendary Janis Joplin and Nina Simone. Intrigued? We certainly were. Join us as Lily talks us through her ultimate dinner party…
I love an all-out banquet… and I love hosting, but not fine dining. It would start with oysters, scallops and champagne, followed by big sharing steaks and mountains of roast potatoes and seasonal sides. Lots of wine. Drinks into the evening and then head out into Dalston or Soho.
I really love cooking for people… on the guest list would be a healthy mix of old and new friends, all ages, anyone is welcome in my house and at my table.
Snacks are basically half of my personality… I like to make this flatbread with melted anchovies fried onto it in the pan, with some citrus and fresh herbs. It’s a good drink snack to pair with Martinis or Margaritas.
On the playlist is Janis Joplin and Nina Simone, and I’m always wearing something totally impractical to cook in.
I have a few signature dishes up my sleeve… I’m always roasting everything, especially potatoes. I have dozens of versions depending on the meal, but it’s definitely a staple. I also have this fab absinthe and mint chocolate chip ice cream I make that’s essentially a drink in a dessert – it’s 68% proof as you add the booze at the end of the churn, so it doesn’t cook out. It’s a delicious palate cleanser and a party starter.
I keep the table focused on the food… big sharing plates, wine on the table and a bucket of chilled stuff too, maybe some candles. It’s all about the food, though. I like to get my crockery, glassware and linens from Spode and a great Mexican shop, Milagros, next to my bakery.
I love to host long lunches or dinners that run into the night… I have quite a big dining table in an open-plan dining room with a pool table that connects to the kitchen space. It’s not just the table that we use, but the whole room.
My guests always expect a cake, unfortunately, they rarely get it.
It’s good to have some hacks that make the process quicker and easier… like boiling and cooking potatoes in advance for roasting, or making sauces or gravies in advance, as well as things like ice cream. Having a bakery is also really handy for picking up dessert!
On the dinner party playlist is… Janis Joplin and Nina Simone, and I’m always wearing something totally impractical to cook in.
There’s no strict cut-off point… I love it to turn into a party and roll for as long as it’s fun.
My guests always expect a cake… unfortunately, they rarely get it.
London by Lily Vanilli is priced at £48 per person and will be available from Friday to Sunday, with reservations open from 2 pm until 7 pm.
