Welcome to the table!

If you’ve stumbled across this from somewhere on the internet, welcome to the table!

My love of the magic created by hospitality began decades ago on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. On a family driving holiday, I found my nine-year-old self dressed in my ‘going out’ clothes walking into a beautiful lakeside restaurant, fairy lights strung up high and laughter all around. As part of a self-drive tour, we gathered with the rest of the group around a table and I just absorbed the conversation, relished the food and was swept away by the atmosphere.

To this day, nothing beats the anticipation of putting on something nice and getting ready to hit a favourite local restaurant or exploring somewhere new. There is something fundamentally uplifting in gathering around a table with other humans, breaking bread and just enjoying being present with the people around you. But whether it’s our modern lives that have pushed us further online and spending more time alone, or it’s just a phenomenon of age, it feels like the opportunities to enjoy this type of gathering are becoming rarer.

I know I’m not alone in finding that creating friendships and the ability to nurture them later in life is more difficult – especially in an age dominated by globalisation and hustle. Several things can reshape the people around us over time, and how we do or don’t stay connected. I’ve experienced multiple life changes – relocating from the UK in my early 20s, motherhood, divorce – that have each shaped how my social network has evolved over the years, significantly interfering with that love of exploring and enjoying great venues!

This love of eating out with a bunch of interesting people is what drove me to build Amicii – a platform that helps hospitality venues create small group dining experiences that connect people in person. In my career in communications, PR and events I was consistently drawn to projects that were designed to bring people together and help build community. This feels like the pinnacle of that constant desire to connect people and build community.

Back to the Table is an invitation to find better ways of connecting with people and exploring the amazing world of candle-lit tables, clinking glasses and delicious food around the globe (even if it happens to be from the comfort of your couch!).