“I rarely host anything low-key,” says Emma Harding. The co-founder of Re: Agency is an expert at entertaining. Whether it’s summer dinners by the fire pit at her Upstate New York home or casual game nights, her gatherings are always considerate and include an unexpected twist. (Take that summer barbecue, for example—it featured steak tartare served on individual trays, each with a personal cocktail side table.) So when Guy Fawkes Night—also known as Bonfire Night, a beloved British tradition of Harding’s—rolled around, she knew she had to pull out all the stops.

The annual event has become her biggest hosting night of the year. “I love the novelty of it here; bringing a bit of British eccentricity to our American friends and neighbors,” she explains. Everything takes place outdoors in the fields near her house—no electricity, no running water, just open space that serves as a blank canvas for her creativity. A winding path of tiki torches guides guests to the main attraction: an oversized bonfire, surrounded by tables piled high with silver platters of food.

“This year, the bar was set up in the back of my cherished 1983 baby blue Chevrolet,” says Harding. Typically, her husband builds the fire, and the grazing table follows a theme. This year, that theme was fondue: a large silver pot surrounded by all the accompaniments, including skewers of baby potatoes and a black-and-white checkerboard focaccia that doubled as decoration. The evening ended with a pyramid of tiramisu-filled coupes and sparklers—a fitting finale of comfort food, elevated details, and a touch of (safely contained) fireworks.

Below, go behind the scenes of Harding’s annual Bonfire Night and shop her table for your own cozy gathering.

Photography by Kelsey Cherry

Set the Scene
“I always start with the tablecloth—that sets the tone. I like to buy fabric by the yard for tablecloths, and Etsy is a great place for that. For this evening, I knew I wanted velvet, so I searched online and found this slate blue option from CV Linens. It’s technically faux velvet, but it’s washable, which is important when serving food—you don’t want to be dry-cleaning yards and yards of tablecloths. From there, I layer based on the color palette. With blues, I go more modern: stainless steel, glass, clean lines.”

– CV Linens velvet tablecloth, $26 at CV LINENS
– Gianfranco Frattini Piero serving tray, $109 at CB2
– Natalia Criado Freya serving tray, $648 at PORTA
– All-Clad fondue pot, $270 at WILLIAMS-SONOMA

Photography by Kelsey Cherry

The Hosting Outfit
“My rule is to do as much prep as possible in advance, so your outfit isn’t dictated by practicality. For Bonfire Night this year, I wore Marfa Stance, an English luxury outerwear brand that’s both practical and beautiful. It felt fitting—warm enough for the fields, but still polished.”

– Marfa Stance aviator vest, $1,995 at MARFA STANCE
– Marfa Stance quilt skirt, $1,095 at MARFA STANCE
– Swedish Stockings Olivia tights, $48 at SWEDISH STOCKINGS
– Chloé Janis ankle boots, $1,295 at CHLOÉ

Tabletop Heroes
“I have so many favorites. Porta for linens and barware, Toast for artisan craft pieces and hand-painted bowls from around the world. For this, I layered stainless steel fondue sets and antique silver. The idea was for everything to sparkle. The cigarette cups are exactly that—a chic little spot to stash cigarettes on the bar. And since the whole evening was very much a ‘help yourself’ affair, I gathered all the silverware into gleaming silver cups so guests could grab whatever they needed as they mingled.”

Photography by Angela Pham
Photography by Angela Pham

What’s on the Menu
“I love hosting, but I don’t love cooking. Presentation is key. I’ll make something simple look special: endive leaves stuffed with lavender goat cheese from the farmers market, topped with dill and arranged elegantly; or radicchio leaves fanned in a martini glass with blue cheese dip. Hosting should feel playful. I filled serving shells with tiny crudités…”Each bite is lined with a fava bean dip, then topped with radicchio, mini cucumbers, and fresh dill fronds.

Italian Ice Cup
$30 | SELFRIDGES

Toaststone Washed Cutlery Set
$48 | TOAST

Porta Cleo Cigarette Cup
$68 | PORTA

Fox Run Outset Grillable Stainless Steel Shells
$29 | SUR LA TABLE

Cocktail Hour
“This is where I have the most fun. Bars can be so ugly—all those mismatched bottles—so I try to make them look intentional. Whether it’s throwing a tablecloth over the back of my Gator to make an outdoor bar in the summer, or turning a wheelbarrow into an ice bucket, creativity goes a long way. For larger parties, I hire a bartender. It’s worth every penny. This year, I worked with Upstate mixologist Patrick Mullins, who created beautiful, seasonal cocktails: a burnt maple and pear old fashioned, a bubbly hibiscus-mezcal number, and a white negroni. Great cocktails make the night.”

Photography by Kelsey Cherry

All in the Details
“Because of the fondue theme, I brought bread into the decor—literally. I made baguette candlesticks for the table, and my friends at Via Cassia baked a special ash-flour focaccia that I cubed with white loaves to make a checkerboard pattern for dipping. I love when the food itself becomes part of the setting. I also think through all the necessities, like wine bottles, olive oil, salt, and butter, and decant them into beautiful vessels.”

CB2 Marta Cooler Glass
$4 | CB2

Natalia Criado Astrid Aperitivo Set
$898 | PORTA

Toast English Beeswax Candles
$23 | TOAST

Louise Roe Champagne Candle Holder
$175 | NET-A-PORTER

Dinner Party Dos & Don’ts

The Faux Pas…
“Being late. I’m British—we’re punctual. Oh, and canceling the same day. It’s just rude!”

The Party Playlist…
“I outsource this one. You don’t want my music taste. I’ll usually ask a friend to bring a playlist—people like having a small role; it makes them feel part of the night.”

The Guest List…
“For something more mingling-friendly like Bonfire Night, the mix can be looser—people will naturally find their crowd. For dinners, I think about linking people by shared interests or industries, without it turning into ‘talking shop.’ The best conversations happen when people have just enough overlap to spark curiosity.”

The Stress-Reducing Secret…
“Always prep in advance, and don’t reinvent what others do best. Buy the pastry! A little cheating is fine. This year, I had Via Cassia make their incredible tiramisu. Everyone was raving about it; no one cared that I didn’t bake it. Otherwise, start the night with an empty dishwasher, clear fridge space beforehand, and always serve cigarettes with dessert. It makes people linger longer, even if they don’t smoke.”

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about At the Table An Upstate New York Bonfire Party with Emma Harding written in a natural conversational tone

General Event Details

Q What exactly is At the Table
A Its a special ticketed dinner event hosted by chef Emma Harding Its not just a meal its an experience centered around a communal bonfire in the scenic setting of Upstate New York featuring a curated multicourse menu

Q Where and when is this happening
A The event takes place at a private location in Upstate New York Specific address details date and time are provided upon ticket purchase to maintain an intimate and exclusive atmosphere

Q Who is Emma Harding
A Emma Harding is a chef known for her focus on hyperlocal seasonal ingredients and creating immersive culinary experiences She often highlights the bounty and producers of the Upstate New York region

Tickets Logistics

Q How much are tickets and what do they include
A Ticket prices vary but they are allinclusive They cover the multicourse dinner beverage pairings and the entire evenings experience Check the official ticketing page for the current price tier

Q Whats the dress code
A Bonfire chic or rustic elegant Think warm comfortable layers suitable for an autumn evening outdoorslike nice boots jeans or trousers sweaters and a stylish coat Avoid delicate fabrics or opentoed shoes

Q What happens if it rains or the weather is bad
A The event has a covered or indoor contingency plan The bonfire and spirit of the event will continue regardless of weather Youll be notified of any specific location changes if severe weather is expected

Q Is there parking available
A Yes there is designated parking on or near the property Specific instructions will be emailed to ticket holders before the event

The Experience

Q Im coming alone Is this event good for solo guests
A Absolutely The communal at the table setup is designed to foster conversation and connection Many guests attend solo to meet fellow food enthusiasts in a beautiful setting