Happy 1 year anniversary to a standing reservation!
a year full of ups and downs, thank YOU for joining me at our table
Welcome to A standing reservation! Thanks for reserving your table. If you’ve found your way here via pure luck and haven’t already reserved your standing reservation, pencil yourself in the book and we’ll be sure to serve you up something good:
Need to catch up on A standing reservation? Head over to the archive to catch up on what you might have missed.
Sailing dates for tavolotwelve in barca are live for 2024! Want to receive more info? Reply directly to this email and I’ll send you the full brochure. A brief overview can be found on the tavolotwelve website.
Exactly a year ago…
Exactly one year ago I starting writing this newsletter. With not many subscribers and many doubts like, who in the world will read my rambling food focused thoughts, I pressed send on my first newsletter. Since then, our table has grown exceptionally in numbers. I’ve connected with new people and reconnected with old friends - both have brought me so much happiness over this past year. A year that has been, personally, very difficult for me. Many of you, who have been here since the beginning, will remember that at this point last year, I was supposed to begin working at the American Academy in Rome. Unfortunately my passport was held in a silly bureaucratic mess for 5 months and in the end, I was never given the chance by the Academy to use that hard earned visa for the fall session. In fact, I was never contacted by them again, not even so much as an email reply to my successful visa. It’s what the kids call being ghosted. BOO! All jokes aside, while their silence and lack of support truly took a toll on my inner peace this past year, I’m reminded that this space and newsletter might have not been born if I had been in that kitchen. Instead, I took to my safe space in my kitchen and turned to this reservation of hungry supporters who have truly lifted me up since I started writing, cooking, and sharing this space with you all.
And while the whole passport debacle proved to be difficult, even bigger personal and life altering changes followed. This year alone has taught me so much. I’ve deepened my learning for things like selfishness (when needed) and selflessness. Kindness and empathy. Responsiveness and showing up. You see, no matter how powerful, healthy, or how much notoriety you think you might have, it can be gone in a moments time and then what are you left with? You better have some fierce and supportive people in your corner who will pep talk you out of your darkest times. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still fighting to win back my self-confidence after last year’s chaotic series of events, but I’ve got some pretty great people in my corner who show up big time, even when it’s hard. Something that a lot of people and organizations can’t speak to. And last but not least, friendship. It’s all we’ve got in this big ol’ world.
A celebration cook-along
In honor of 1 year together, I thought it would be fun to host a celebratory cook along. I’ll be hosting a live cook along featuring your most loved recipe from the newsletter archive, carbonara. The cook along will be next week and a private link (only for subscribers) will be sent straight to your inboxes one day in advance so that you can prepare your ingredients and cook along if you’d like. If you can’t cook along, that’s ok! Join in for some fun ramblings and tips on how to make carbonara, the Roman way. We’ll chat about in person offerings I’m planning this year like our sailing trips as well as some fun ideas I’m toying around with for the fall - think along the lines of an Italian countryside experience. If you can’t make it, a recording of the video will be shared so you can refer back to the tips and tricks whenever you’re in the mood for a pasta or just want to dream of your next trip to Italy.
Ingredients for the cook along:
Serves 4
150g guanciale
50g pecorino
50g parmigiano
320g mezze paccheri or the classic, spaghetti (allow about 80g of pasta per person)
5 egg yolks
Come along, invite a friend for dinner, share the newsletter with friends - let’s bring this standing reservation to life at the virtual table.
Sail away with me
Summer is around the corner friends! We’re still taking bookings for our tavolotwelve in barca sailing trip this summer. Gather a yourself and 5 friends and sail to Ponza and Palmarola with me! The sailboat sleeps 6 and your trip includes everything you need for a guaranteed incredible time exploring these islands.
The all inclusive tavolotwelve in barca trip looks a little something like this…
5 nights, 6 days on your private and beautiful sailboat
all meals by private chef (me) on board: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, & 2 dinners
aperitivi fixings, wine, and mock-tails on board with meals and snacks
private group transfer to and from Rome to the port
wine tasting at a local Ponzese winery + any guided tours we arrange
snorkeling equipment & paddle board to explore the sea & grotos
tavolotwelve welcome treats to help you settle into life at sea
We’re offering 10% off bookings until March 20th!!! Let’s sail…
Another option to get on the water…
If a traditional sailboat isn’t your thing and you’re looking for a catamaran or just a bigger boat because you have SO many friends, I also have a solution for you. I'm working with the Sailing Collective to get more groups out on the water and exploring beautiful swimming spots, beaches, and untouched islands this year! Dreaming of sailing the Amalfi Coast, the Greek Islands, Sicily, Croatia, the Bahamas, Thailand, Madagascar...?! The Sailing Collective sails to all these places and more.
And even better, if the dates align and I'm available for your sail, I'll be one of your hosts and your private chef onboard your sail. From luxury catamarans to traditional sailboats, the Sailing Collective team will coordinate and secure your dream trip.
Here's an idea of what a trip with me and the sailing collective could look like...
You can reach out to either myself (you can respond directly to this email) or directly to the Sailing Collective with any questions and let's sail! Just be sure to mention I've sent you so we can sail the seas together!
Ginger Cordial with Soda
As a celebratory mock-tail (or cocktail) to cheers to 1 year of a standing reservation newsletter, here’s a recipe that was recently introduced to me during a long shift cooking in the kitchen for a charity dinner party. Keep it clean or add a splash of your preferred booze and you have a refreshing drink to toast to.
1 glass filled with ice
1 Tbsp of ginger cordial
Squeeze of lemon or lime
Tonic or soda water
Mint leaves to garnish
Mix ginger cordial with tonic or soda water, lime squeeze, garnish with mint, and enjoy. Simple and easy - cheers to that!
Until next time at a standing reservation…
With love & snacks,
Paige
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Need a happy moment?
This could be your view if you sail with us this summer. Delicious food cooked by me, a dip in the sea, wine at the ready. What more could you ask for? Reply directly to this email so we can start planning your dream summer holiday!
Here’s a picture from a sail last summer in Croatia. Local rose, lots of small plates, and always a great time.