Are you hosting for fall holidays, gatherings, or dinner parties but have no idea what to make? And more importantly, are you wishing it could be easier and smoother? Autumn is packed with reasons to celebrate — holiday feasts, game-day spreads, or casual weeknight dinners — but hosting can feel overwhelming when you’re juggling dietary needs, timing, and presentation. This episode is your shortcut to planning beautiful, seasonal menus that impress without keeping you in the kitchen all night. By the end, you’ll discover:Four ready-to-roll menus with mains, sides, and desserts that will have guests asking you for the recipeDietary-restriction-friendly swaps to keep your hosting vegetarian-friendly, kosher, or grain-free without sacrificing flavorTips for make-ahead dishes so that hosting can feel calmerPress play now to plan fall gatherings that buzz with energy, taste incredible, and keep you at the heart of the party!***This week’s episode is sponsored by La Baleine, makers of ancestral sea salts harvested from France.La Baleine’s Kosher Sea Salt is uniquely naturally harvested from the Mediterranean Sea, crystallized by the sun and sea breezes, and responsibly sourced.Additive free and 100% pure, its small, flake-like crystals make it perfect for everyday cooking. It seasons evenly, is easy to pinch, and enhances everything from soups and pastas to vegetables and meat.👉 Grab a box here, or find it at your local Whole Foods Market, and make this sea-harvested kosher salt a staple in your kitchen. Use code BALKOS10 for $1 off your order!***Links:Sonya’s Menu 1: Rosh Hashanah or Fall Festive Gathering Salad: Crunchy cabbage slaw with farro and pecorino (swap mayo for pecorino in the dressing to keep it non-dairy) from The KitchenMain: Sonya & Kari’s port and wine braised short ribs from the pop-up they cooked togetherSide: Fried eggplant and honey “Berenjenas con Miel” by José Andrés for Food & WineDessert: Pistachio cake with pomegranate glaze by Tannaz Sassooni for King Arthur Baking, or for a similar cake with plums try Andy Baraghani’s pistachio plum cakeKari Menu 1: “Take it Outside” Picnic, Potluck, Camping, or Tailgate-worthyMain: Swiss Chard Slab Pie by Kristin Donnelly for NYT Cooking (unlocked) Side: Oven-roasted parsnips with hazelnut picada from the Gjelina Cookbook, via Stacey SnacksDessert:

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.