As I've mentioned a few times, I'm spending Christmas with family in Toronto. One of the things I love most about my hometown is how incredibly diverse it is. Statistically speaking, it's the most multicultural city in the world; over 50% of the population is foreign born! The mix makes for an incredible bounty of vibrant, unique traditions on display year 'round, but at no time is the intermingling more apparent than during the holidays.
And yes, I'm mostly talking about the food! Even the most ordinary supermarket stocks its seasonal shelves with all manner of exotic treats: torrone and amaretti from Italy, stollen and pfeffernusse from Germany, sweetmeats and chocolates from the UK…the list goes on and on. As you might imagine, it makes every trip to the market a dangerous yet delicious proposition indeed!
When the lovely team at Simon Pearce asked me to style a holiday tabletop with some of their pieces, I looked no further for inspiration than the nearest corner store. The brand specializes in handblown glass and earthy yet refined ceramics with minimalist, old-world appeal, so it only seemed fitting that I channel a little continental elegance for this spread.
I sampled from across Europe to assemble a Grand Tour of desserts. Sour cherry trifles pay homage to the Brits' fondness for pudding, while a selection of biscotti with Nutella says 'take a dip' in Italian. My own Bavarian heritage shines from a plate of pfeffernusse. Finally, mulled wine, nuts, and citrus offset the sugar—so you can cleanse your palate and go back for more!
Get the Look: Handmade Glass Hurricanes, Large Porcelain Serving Bowl, Small Porcelain Serving Bowl, Glass Tankards, Round Ceramic Serving Tray.
I love me smne Simon Pearce! My family has been visiting the restaurant and glassblowing in Vermont since I can remember. Seeing their goods out and about always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Nice collaboration!