Korina Sanchez Joins Small Laude On "It's A Small World," And Gives 10 Tips On The Fine Art Of Entertaining
The seasoned hostesses share nuggets of gracious wisdom we all need to hear
“I love pampering my guests! That’s such a Pinoy trait, and I’m totally embracing it,” Small Laude says in Episode 2 of her Metro Channel show, It’s A Small World.
For this slice of Small’s life, she invited none other than esteemed news and TV personality, Korina Sanchez-Roxas. “Since Korina loves to entertain, I thought it would be good for her to set our table upstairs,” Small narrates.
For the afternoon, the setting was in her rooftop gazebo, where they also picked fresh herbs to accompany the flavors of the salad they made, a simple one, something that “anybody can do at home,” as Korina put it.
Korina’s 1.1 million followers on Instagram know that she is no stranger to the intricate details of living well.
So it was but fitting that Small sought her advice on entertaining. “I’ve been friends with Korina for many years, and I love having her as my guest because we have the same things in common, like we love setting plates, we love cooking and arranging flowers… I’m so lucky because I learned from the best, so I’m paying it forward,” Small says.
Welcome to Korina’s master class in entertaining:
10 Entertaining Tips By Korina Sanchez
10 Entertaining Tips By Korina Sanchez
Flowers never really go out of style.
You don’t really have to buy the super expensive ones like Ecuadorian roses. Local Baguio flowers are very inexpensive, but putting them all together creates a beautiful effect. Carnations and roses are mixed in her arrangement of orange, pink and fuchsia hues.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
Feel free to style fresh flowers with fresh fruits.
A combination of fruits gave more life to this table setting. Apples, lemons and oranges added color, texture, depth and pizzazz to the tablescape. Korina notes, “Parang nakakadagdag siya ng appetite, ano,” affirming that a pretty tablescape has the power to lift up the spirits and enhance the meal.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
Be guided by a theme.
For this afternoon, Small and Korina even matched the floral theme with their outfits that also had floral prints and colors to coordinate with the afternoon’s theme. “When you choose your plates, kailangan terno rin,” Korina advises. Green glasses, pink napkins and natural woven placemats completed the setting.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
Placemats are important. They dress the table, and make it feel so much more special.
The placemats’ earth tones created a fitting contrast to the green hand painted leaf patterns on the plates.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
Dress up and show up. It’s about the way you live.
Korina says, “Pwede Naman tayong kumain ng naka-pajama, pero magbibihis tayo para maganda lahat. It’s about the way we live!”
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
It’s always nice to invest in colored napkins (and napkin rings).
“Just to cheer people up, I would put pink,” Korina says.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
Another tip she shares is from Asia’s Best Chef, Margarita Fores, who happens to be her husband, Mar’s cousin. “She told me that the less handling of the napkin, the better,” shares Korina.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
Korina veers away from complicated napkin arrangements and instead, she opts for a simple napkin dressed up with a napkin ring, and situated front and center of the place setting.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
Some of the best things in life are fattening!
When your table is set, and your friends surround you, sit back and enjoy the best part of any good table setting: the meal! When having pizza, by all means, use your hands! When serving pasta, make sure they’re not soggy. Make them al dente.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
It’s so important that with every get-together, you learn something new each time.
“In conversation, there’s always something new to learn. So you grow. You grow with the right company and you laugh a lot. Never mind growing, but laughing a lot is important,” Korina shares.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
Enjoy hosting… Be happy!
“When you go to a home and the hostess is forever stressed, the guests also get stressed,” Korina says. “Life is complicated enough, so when people come together, it’s good to be positive all the time and to be happy!"
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
You can’t fake it. People will like you for who you are, especially in this age of authenticity.
Photo Credit: Still from "It's A Small World" on Metro Channel
Pottery by The Ivy
Curious about the plates, bowls and serveware from the episode? Small narrates that she bought them from The Ivy, her favorite restaurant in Beverly Hills. Known for the scrumptious dishes it's been serving since 1983, as well as its charming ambience, the Ivy also makes it possible for guests to take the experience home with them. In this episode, Small uses The Ivy pattern, but they also carry other patterns: Shore Pineapple and Shore Hibiscus. These were designed by the restaurant's co-owner, Lynn von Kersting, and hand-thrown and hand-painted in Peru.
Feel like you are dining in The Ivy's patio. Shop this story:
Editor's Pick
The Ivy Plates
The Ivy's 10" dinner plates
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The Ivy Bread Plates
Ideal for a slice of cake or a bread and butter serving.
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The Ivy Medium Pitcher
Holds 6 cups of libations, this also makes a great vase!
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The Ivy Pasta Bowl
Perfect for pasta, but also works as a salad bowl.
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The Ivy Oval Platter
Ideal for your next dinner party or family lunch.
Watch the episode here:
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