There’s no better time to get creative with new culinary ideas than when you’re sharing a table with family and friends, so we’ve rounded up some of our favourite epicurean Instagram accounts featuring delicious share plates and elegant desserts to inspire a luxuriously laidback gathering this Easter.
As the author of Ostro, A Year of Simple and Family Food and a regular contributor to The Design Files, this Melbourne-based cook celebrates simple, seasonal recipes that bring people together around the table. Time spent living in Tuscany has influenced her community-centred approach to dining and lends a joyful Italian quality to her dishes.
If you’re looking for scrumptious vegetarian meal ideas, the New York-based author of award-winning cookbooks including Family, Community, Neighbourhood, and Tenderheart offers modern, meat-free inspiration, from hearty pasta dishes to flavour-filled stir-fries. Hetty’s uncomplicated cooking style – including a moreish potato and rosemary flatbread – is ideal for gatherings with loved ones.
A childhood spent cooking in her mother’s kitchen in Egypt has influenced USA-based cook Suzy Karadsheh’s easy Mediterranean recipes, from colourful salads to finger-friendly appetisers. Her Middle Eastern-style nachos and lemon ginger tea are the perfect additions to a relaxed alfresco lunch, complete with freshly picked herbs, textural layers of linen and a generous drizzle of olive oil to complete the quintessential European table scheme.
As the name suggests, Ashley Alexander’s simple, wholesome and beautifully styled recipes are made for sharing. The self-taught Melbourne cook believes that when it comes to entertaining, the atmosphere is just as important as the food itself, so her table settings are elevated with neutral, earthy linen, delicate foliage and handcrafted accents that create a sense of occasion while letting her gorgeous dishes take centre stage.
English food writers and sisters Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley are known for their simple, vibrant meals and fun, playful approach to cooking. You’ll find nutritious grazing platters and one-pot wonders alongside tasty dessert ideas and sweet snacks that can be enjoyed at the table or gifted as a take-home treat for guests. You’ll also find plenty of delicious vegan and gluten-free options to satisfy everyone’s dietary needs.
It is no coincidence that Australian-Japanese food writer Emiko Davies’ elegant dishes look picture-perfect – Emiko is also a talented photographer who has produced several stunning cookbooks focusing on the cuisine of Italy where she now lives. Visit her Instagram account for traditional-with-a-twist recipes, rustic farmhouse kitchens and relaxed European style.
Visit Shop Our Style for more tablescape inspiration.
