In this edition, chef, activist, and cookbook author Natasha Pickowicz shares her approach to hosting a Fourth of July celebration that's made together.


Rather than hosting solo, Natasha invites guests into the cooking and setup: from firing up the grill to assembling dessert and pouring CHANDON, turning the process into part of the celebration. Because the best gatherings aren't about perfection; they're about connection, collaboration, and creating memories together.

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Start with a Shared Task


Hosting is all about putting guests at ease - and the best gatherings begin before the party officially starts. Invite guests to help with simple finishing touches - assembling strawberry tarts, slicing garnishes, setting the table, or shucking corn. Giving everyone a small role creates instant conversation and helps guests feel like they're part of the celebration from the moment they arrive, rather than simply attending.

The trick is to hand guests a glass of cold bubbles first, which makes even peeling potatoes feel like a party. Keep glasses topped off, arrange small dishes of snacks nearby, and let the prep become part of the fun. This year, I’ll be reaching for CHANDON - the American, Napa-made sparkling wine - to add a little extra sparkle to the holiday and toast to gathering together, not getting every detail perfect. Suddenly even the simplest tasks feel festive when they're done together.

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Create a Soundtrack for Connection

Create a Soundtrack for Connection

I always play music at all my parties, but you’ll never see me put on an algorithm-derived playlist. In my opinion, full albums are always best for parties of all kinds, but I take things one step further with an old-school boom box in my garden for playing tape cassettes. They’re cheap to find and source (just go to a thrift store or look on eBay), the fizzy analog quality of the tape sounds great in small rooms and backyards, and it’s a great way to rediscover old classics. I also love taking guest requests throughout the evening - a simple way to let everyone contribute to the atmosphere and make the soundtrack feel as communal as the gathering itself.

Let Nature Set the Table

Let Nature Set the Table

Use natural materials as place settings, which makes the table feel inviting and relaxed. I like to use small, smooth stones or baby vegetables like eggplants and carrots as chopstick rests; beautiful branches can weigh down featherlight menus or napkins. 

Bring Something for Tomorrow

Bring Something for Tomorrow

If you're a guest, it's always thoughtful to bring a small gift for the host to enjoy the next day once the festivities are over. A jar of granola, nice yogurt, jam, or even a favorite late-night snack like popcorn or pizza dough for the freezer are all simple but appreciated gestures.

Layer the Light

Layer the Light

I love multiple sources of light to create the perfect ambiance. Outdoors, big paper lanterns cast soft, wide light, while plug-in string lights illuminate the borders of the space. Candles of all shapes and sizes, from tea lights to long tapers, give off the best light of all, of course. 

Build a Snack Everyone Can Share

Build a Snack Everyone Can Share

No matter what I’m serving at dinner, I always have something called “chip salad” to snack on before. Mix 3 to 4 kinds of chips, crackers, pretzels, and nuts - truly, whatever you want - in a bowl or platter, piled high. It’s a perfect pairing with a chilled glass of CHANDON Brut, and such a fun way to elevate a store-bought treat. 

Make the Memories Together

Make the Memories Together

The most memorable parties aren't defined by perfect execution - they're shaped by the people who help bring them to life. When guests contribute, whether through conversation, cooking, decorating, or simply raising a glass, the gathering becomes something everyone creates together.

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