I kept coming back to one question as I planned this table: how could I honor Ghana through the details? The dinner at Miel brought together Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, his delegation, and a room full of remarkable guests. I wanted to approach the table with care and let the materials carry some of the story.
I worked yams, plantains, and cacao beans from Ghana into the tablescape. I loved how the rough skins of the yams and the texture of the cacao played against the woven fabric and glassware. I sourced kente fabric from Ghana and used it to back each menu, so there was a detail guests could discover as soon as they sat down.
My friend Mar of Marmade Co. hand-lettered the place cards, and I finished each one with a wax seal bearing the Sankofa symbol. There was something especially personal about that part. Every guest had a place at the table with their name written by hand.
I wanted people to feel present, to feel a connection to the culture I was honoring, and to the people across the table. I put a lot of love into that dinner, and I hope you could feel it in the smallest details.