AMBER DAWN SCHULTHEIS is a hospitality and culinary writer, recipe developer, and regular contributor to City Lifestyle. As the voice behind The Host Notes, she shares joyful recipes and thoughtful guidance to help readers create meaningful connection around the table. This month, we decided to "Ask Amber" some questions about how she cultivates meaningful culinary experiences in her own home.
What inspires you to cook and host?
I’ve noticed we hesitate to bring people into our imperfect homes, especially during challenging seasons. It’s meaningful to be able to host and share delicious food with friends and family in times of celebration, grief, and everything in between. I think we all need a bit more hospitality and authenticity right now. Also, cooking and baking for the people in my life has always been a passion of mine.
What lessons from café and restaurant kitchens still show up at your family table?
So many things! We light a candle at dinner just about every night, even if we’re having take out and half of the dining table is cluttered with homework and junk mail. It’s a simple way to create a feeling of ease and slow things down a bit. We also wait to clear plates until everyone has finished eating. This helps people to not feel hurried or awkward if they’re the last person enjoying dinner or uncomfortable if they gobbled their plate up faster than the rest of the table.
How do you utilize local ingredients that are in-season?
My favorite way to cook is by strolling the farmer’s market and finding colorful fruits and veggies to inspire the week’s menu. We’re fortunate to live in a place with so many amazing local farms and producers. I also live in the same world as you do and buy some things from Costco and Trader Joe’s (especially in the winter months) because it’s impossible to be perfect. It’s a balance, and I prefer to source locally where I can.
What’s the best thing you can do ahead of time when hosting?
Know the needs of your guests and plan your menu and space set up accordingly. As far as food prep, baked goods, many desserts, even little jars of granola for parting gifts can be made a day or more in advance. Salad dressings, sauces or even batch-cocktails can be prepped ahead as well to simplify the day of your get-together.
What is your favorite go-to comfort meal?
It’s tough to beat a good risotto. It’s rich, comforting, and surprisingly simple to make, though it takes a bit of time. Served with a side of in-season vegetables that have been roasted to the point of caramelization and a filet of local salmon? Count me in.
What are some of the pantry staples you always have on hand?
My pantry is always packed with an assortment of rice, pasta, beans, nuts, and flours so I can get creative at a moment’s notice. You know I have a growing collection of olive oils and vinegars from A Bit of Taste- Snohomish Olive Oil Company. Everything is top notch from them. I could talk about pantry staples for days!
What are your tips for setting a beautiful table without needing endless bins of holiday-specific decor?
Having a small, neutral collection of dinnerware and linens really pays off. I use the same simple white tablecloth year-round, letting seasonal produce and flowers do the festive work. An old ribbon tied around a vintage brass candlestick adds just enough charm. I don’t like to store more than I need, so keeping things lean matters to me—and I’ve found that simple, quirky details bring the most whimsy. Lately, rustic brown packing or butcher paper has become a favorite table runner, adding texture and dimension. You can doodle on it for playfulness or leave it beautifully plain.
What’s a hosting hack you wish everyone knew about?
If you love to cook and host, it’s easy to get carried away and think you need to make everything from scratch. I’ve had to re-learn this lesson many times! Make one thing you enjoy making and let everything else be simple. Also, when guests offer to bring something, let them.
"It’s meaningful to be able to host and share delicious food with friends and family in times of celebration, grief, and everything in between."
"My favorite way to cook is by strolling the farmer’s market and finding colorful fruits and veggies to inspire the week’s menu. We’re fortunate to live in a place with so many amazing local farms and producers."