The $3 Glass I Rely on When Friends and Family Come Over

In our series Shopping Buddy, we ask our favorite in-the-know authors, actors, musicians, and tastemakers to share their most coveted home purchases, from kitchen essentials to entertaining must-haves, so that you can shop along with confidence. 

“Food is my way to explain the world around me,” says recipe developer and food stylist Yewande Komolafe, whose new book, My Everyday Lagos, is out now. “And hosting dinner parties allows me to connect with others.” In fact, her pre-pandemic dinner series, “My Immigrant Food Is…,” have been some of the best gatherings she’s ever thrown.

In that spirit, we asked Komolafe to share with us some of her most-loved products to use when she has company over. “I like feeling prepared when guests arrive,” she says. That being said, she doesn’t stress when things don’t go as planned. ”I just go with the flow. Say we’re out of hibiscus or any other ingredient, and it’s needed for something; I don’t take it too seriously and just adjust and have a great time!” Here are the things she always has on hand to make that happen.

The Stew Pot That’s Pretty Enough to Put on the Table

I like that I can just transfer it from the oven to the table so easily. The brand has such amazing bright colors, and I’ve always wanted one for as long as I have cooked—and I love the fact that I can finally have one now!

The Servingware I Can’t Live Without

For pretty much all of my platters, bowls, pitchers, and coffee cups, my go-to brand is Pottery by Osa. I have a bunch of their stuff! This brand from Nigerian American ceramist Osa Atoe feels fearless, and I love how close to the earth it is. I love her work, how she explains it and how she is so intentional about the design of her pieces. They remind me of something familiar; I’m spiritually drawn to her stuff. The bowl is perfect for jollof rice, and the pitcher serves a crowd so well. 

Napkins I Use the Most

I have a stock of napkins from Busayo that I feature in the book. I often use them, and I was so excited to showcase them in the book because I love her patterns and their ties to Yoruba culture. I feel very connected to her fabrics! 

Glassware I Use to Impress Guests

I use mason jars! Not sure if my guests are impressed by it, but that’s what I use. They’re perfect for when we are in Canada in the summer hosting friends and family. 

My Favorite Dessert Plates

I love the design on Paula Grief’s plates. She plays with such beautiful colors and patterns that are simple but classic. 

Tablecloth I Use on Repeat

In my family, there is a rich history of being an indigo dyer, as there was an indigo well in my mother’s compound back in Nigeria. My mom bought me these indigo dyed fabrics similar to ones from Nigeria, and I like to use them as tablecloths. I love looking up all the meanings behind the patterns. One of the fabrics I use includes a pattern meaning “the hand that feeds you never lacks,” and it really resonated with me so much that I got it tattooed on my hand! This specific pattern of indigo cloth is what I use the most for my tablescapes.

Music That’s Always Playing at My Parties

Lately I’ve been into listening to Obongjayar, Ibeyi, and Asake—they’re on heavy rotation all the time! I love anything that speaks to my spirit, and their music has been doing that over the past few months.