How to Entertain, Hamptons-Style

If there ever were a place synonymous with summer, The Hamptons would be it. The exclusive Long Island enclave is among the most famous—and most flocked-to—seasonal getaways on the East Coast.

But for all its celebrity (and the ones who make their homes there), many of the East End’s greatest luxuries are also its simplest. Vacationers revel in the region’s abundant farm stands, verdant gardens, coastal sightlines, and striking sunsets with as much gusto as they partake in the storied social scene.

It’s the Hamptons’ natural beauty and keen sense of place that set the scene for Hamptons Entertaining , the latest book by author and philanthropist Annie Falk. In it, she shares farm-fresh menus and casually elegant decor from the Hamptons soirees of nearly 20 of her friends and colleagues—names like Georgina Bloomberg, Peter Thomas Roth, and Kara Ross— that perfectly capture the essence of a summer out east.

Here, Falk gives us the highlight reel, sharing must-haves, top tips, and menu ideas for celebrating summer as she does, all season long.

What inspired you to write this book?
Planning events, entertaining, and trying new recipes is truly a joyful experience for me, and creating entertaining books is my way of giving back. 100 percent of the author’s proceeds are being donated to the Peconic Baykeeper. All around, it’s a feel-good project! 

What makes entertaining in the Hamptons so special?
Glorious weather, painterly light, and the scent of the ocean create a fantasy backdrop for any occasion. The easy access to delicious, organic, farm-fresh produce is positively inspiring, as are the local wineries and microbreweries.

You previously wrote a book entitled “Palm Beach Entertaining.” How is entertaining in the Hamptons different?
While both locales are world-renowned for their beauty, quality of life and small-town character, the Hamptons is much more laid-back, and rarely will an invite require black tie. Guests may arrive at gatherings in their tennis whites, golf apparel or cover-ups. The Hamptons culinary scene is highly elevated yet relaxed, with family-style table service and buffets.

Who are some of the people you featured in the book? How did you choose who to include?
Featured in Hamptons Entertaining is "A Fashionable Table by the Sea," created by accessories designer Kara Ross and her husband Steve; philanthropists Joan and George Hornig invite us in for "Dinner and a Movie"; we celebrate "Father’s Day with a Hungarian Accent" at the home of skin care executives Peter Thomas Roth and Noreen Roth, and my husband and I take you to the beach for "Lobster and Libations by the Sea." There is so much more, including a special chapter filled with favorite summer sips. We toast power broker Timothy Davis at the American Hotel; share a glass of rocket fuel with soul cycle’s Senior Master Instructor, Stacey Griffith; and reveal the secret recipe for Cyril’s Bloody Mary.

All of the hosts and hostesses highlighted are friends. I’m very familiar with their entertaining style and wanted to capture their unique panache for hosting parties so I could share it with my readers. Entertaining is as unique and personal as dressing oneself, and I encouraged the hosts and hostesses to stay true to their style. It was a wonderful surprise that I was presented with a Hungarian theme, Panamanian fare, a Halloween party, and more.

The book highlights many different styles of celebrations, but what are the common denominators of parties in the Hamptons?
Every party in the book embodies the essence of great entertaining: a seemingly effortless combination of authentic food and imagination presented with a personal touch and enjoyed in good company. What gives the Hamptons its unique style is geography. It is in close proximity to NYC and surrounded by water, yet a vibrant farming community sits amidst some of our most magnificent homes. It exudes relaxed sophistication—think urban-meets-the-outdoors. Our cuisine is inspired by fresh, local ingredients like lobster, oysters, crab, duck, striped bass, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables. The South Fork is known for its wineries, microbreweries and hand-crafted, small batch epicurean delights, making it easy to enhance any menu. When it comes to the tabletop, we keep it stylish and simple with artfully placed bunches of farmstand flowers, hydrangeas freshly cut from the garden, or clusters of sunflowers.

What are must-haves for a Hamptons-style soiree?
Begin with locally grown, seasonal produce and fresh-from-the-water seafood. Then, create a Hamptons atmosphere with hurricane lanterns punctuated by seashells, sea glass or flowers. Hydrangeas, sunflowers and dahlias are our go-to blooms and evoke the Hamptons perfectly. Joss & Main is a great resource for blue & white décor, fabulous picnic items, fire pits for roasting s’mores and unique tableware. I even found a set of blue and white orbs that perfectly mimic those featured in Dinner on the Dunes.

What are some of your favorite entertaining tips from the book?
There are so many great tips, but here are five of my favorites:

"In the early summer, when friends are traveling and transitioning homes, e-mail is the surest way to deliver invitations in a timely manner—and it reduces your carbon footprint." – Hostess Annie Falk

"Consider setting your table the night before the party. Cover it with a light blanket, and add the flowers just before guests arrive." – Hostess Margarita Allinson

"Keep it local. Locally sourced items— from seafood to flowers—give a sense of place and help the local economy thrive." – Hostess Cindy Sulzberger

"Take pictures at every dinner party of both the food and the seating to ensure you don’t always put the same people together or feed them the same menus." – Hostess Joan Hornig

"To maximize the fun quotient, plan an interactive component. “The point is to have everyone do something. I like to incorporate a crafting element, because everyone has fun with it."  – Hostess Judith Giuliani