By

By
all accounts, Laura
Jackson is the proverbial hostess with the mostest. Those who
have sat down to one of her fêted group dinners and shared a
conversation with the sprightly Jackson can attest to that
fact.

Friendly, warm and engaging, Jackson is never one to shy away
from a good chat. Channelling her innate chin-wagging capabilities
into a savvy business op, she is currently busy talking all things
Hoste – her
new lifestyle brand and podcast which explores food, travel and
interiors.

In the spirit of Hoste-ing, we thought we’d flip the
(scrumptiously scaped) tables on her and headed east to get the
scoop on Jackson’s event-planning secrets. Over the course of our
two-course meal (mains and pud), we eyed Jackson’s little black
book of lip-smacking
restaurants and favourite florists
in east London, jotted down (six pages of) travel tips for Mexico
(and Sri
Lanka) and taste tested some recipes perfect for feasts great
and small.

One misconception about East London is…

That it’s still cool.

How would you sum up your postcode’s dress code?

Everything and anything.

Where should we head on a Saturday morning?

I love Violet on Wilton Way for a cup of coffee and a catch
up with friends.

Some great local cafés to try out…

Tromsø in Forest Gate near me does the best cinnamon
buns.

Where’s the best place to workout?

Frame. I love going to the Shoreditch branch for fun,
easy workouts – and I never feel awkward.

And relax?

I love the Prince George on Parkholme Road for a nice bowl of
chips and a G&T.

Who does the best coffee in town?

There are lots of good coffee spots, but I do love a latte from
the Tin
Café in Haggerston. I’ve been going there for 13 years.

For Sunday brunch, book a table at…

The Marksman Public House but failing that – because
it’s always so rammed on a Sunday – try Morito up the
road.

Other great food spots in East London include…

Brawn,
Lyle’s,
Leroy, Silo and Peg.

Where’s good for lunch near you?

Arch
Rivals on the weekend for brunch or lunch.

You’re known for hosting mighty dinner parties. Can you tell us
about some of the local suppliers you use again and again?

I love a dinner party! I always use Worm for flowers,
though I also adore Kitten Grayson Flower and Palais. For wine, I go to
Passione
Vino– what owner Luca Dusi doesn’t know about wine isn’t worth
knowing. I tend to use Jones Hire for tableware for big events, but
when hosting at home I use a mix of charity-shop finds, high-street
purchases (I love Zara Home, H&M Home and Habitat) and things I
buy online from Etsy and eBay. Linen, I buy from either Cloth House in
Soho or Dalston Mills Fabrics– my friend Victoria
Bain makes them into beautiful napkins for me.

One place only locals know about is…

Campania and Jones on Columbia Road – I’ve had many a birthday
party in the back room there. It’s such a special, romantic
place.

East London’s best exports are…

I love Secret Smokehouse – founder Max cures the most
delicious smoked salmon. I bought the fish mix recently for a fish
pie and it was delicious.

Favourite shops in East London?

Milagros on Columbia Road which sells the best
colourful Mexican goodies, including bags, plates and glassware. I
also love Straw London on Wilton Way – founder Emily collects
the most amazing, interesting pieces from around the world. I like
Goodhood for clothes and homeware. Atika Vintage
Department Store (formerly Blitz) is my favourite
charity shop. Conservatory Archives is excellent for
plants.

For interiors nirvana check out…

J&R
Marble in Leyton.

What’s your London secret?

I like to take the riverboat from Canary Wharf along the Thames
to the Garden Museum in summer. I love this place! The little café
there is a real gem; food is seasonal, fresh and always
delicious.

What are you working on at the moment, and what’s next?

I am working on an interiors TV show as well as lots of exciting
events for Hoste, including a residency in
Tuscany and a beach table on the Isles of Scilly with my friend
Simon Stallard.