The Table: Beauty to Inspire More than Just Food

By Lizzie Jefferys and Mary Soldano

Our family recently came across an article that reminded us how powerful the table can be and how the beauty that surrounds it teaches us what it means to be human.

“The shared meal is a pillar of humanity that transcends both place and time. Meal sharing has played a central role in uniting families and communities in every culture in human history. Although dwellings and menus have differed throughout the ages, the necessity for communion remains,”
writes Emily Malloy, food and floral designer, in her piece The Beauty of Sharing a Meal.

That truth hits home for us. Growing up, our families understood the quiet power of gathering around a table. Our mother and our Aunt Nancy could make the simplest meal feel special. Whether it was Thanksgiving with hand-crafted place settings that made everyone feel seen or Christmas morning with its themed mugs and a dining room that looked fit for royalty, beauty was always present. Even on ordinary days, there was always something at the center of the table - a vase of flowers or a bowl of fresh fruit - that said, sit, rest, stay awhile.

Our friends felt it too. They’d stop by after school or drop in unannounced, and Mom always had coffee brewing or a snack ready. But it was never really about the food. It was about the invitation to slow down, to be present, and to belong. The table was never just where we ate; it was where we connected. Food was simply the way love showed itself.

That same sense of hospitality continues to shape what we do today. Over the past months, we’ve had the joy of creating tables for all kinds of occasions: a baby shower celebrating new life, a Mediterranean-inspired family dedication, and plenty of large gatherings with hundreds of guests. Each one, whether simple or grand, carried the same heartbeat - the desire to gather, to give thanks, and to make beauty visible.

As Emily Malloy so beautifully puts it:

“The tablescape and prepared food are tangible displays of love as those involved pour themselves out for the good of the other.”

That’s exactly what inspires us at Tasty Table. Our mission is to help transform your table into something more than a surface holding food. It’s a space where beauty, belonging, and community come alive. We believe that when people gather around a thoughtfully prepared table, something sacred happens: hearts open, conversations deepen, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin once wrote,

“To invite someone is to take charge of their happiness during the time they spend under your roof.”

That’s the spirit behind everything we do.

We’re excited to introduce our new Tablescape Services: custom-designed table settings that bring your vision to life. Whether you’re imagining a full-service experience with elegant flatware, silk napkins, florals, and candlelight, or a simpler spread that still feels warm and intentional, our team designs with creativity, craftsmanship, and heart.

From corporate gatherings in the Greater Philadelphia area to intimate celebrations on the Main Line, we love helping people create moments that linger long after the plates are cleared. Because for us, it’s never just about catering—it’s about building community around beauty.

“The table is a place of memory. The table is the place of gathering. The table is where we become family.”
—Shauna Niequist

Let us help you set the table beautifully, intentionally, and with love.