With great style come great vicarious thrills, especially concerning TV and radio presenters Laura Jackson (you've seen her on page 94 of our February issue, right?) and Alice Levine. We've been coveting their front row fashion game, extremeley envious of their respective great hair do's, their interesting jobs and even their joint hobby: as supper club chefs. So much so that we invited them to the ELLE offices for a planing meeting and here's what we came up with:
Enlist Jackson&Levine to blog for us on a bi-monthly basis about where their lives take them - from Radio One to cooking for Jamie Oliver to fashion weeks, to more recently, the Isle of Fernando. Then get them to create a good-for-your (mood and/or body) recipe that we can recreate at home. Then we get to edge off the vicarious path and start getting the thrills for ourselves too.
We'll be kicking off our exclusive Jackson&Levine #ELLEeats posts within the month, but in the meantime, here's how our chat went.
L: We met at the Rumble In The Jumble charity jumble sale event for Oxfam. We had a stall opposite each other selling clothes and we bonded over a pair of flares, while locating the excellent chilli made by Gizzi [Erskine], the rest as they say is history...
A: Laura found me a blouse with cats all over it. You can't break a bond based on a blouse with cats all over it. Plus we've now seen each other in bumbags, it can only get better.
L: It's a real social thing and I just love how food brings people together. I'd much rather cook large sharing plates for other people than individual meals, it's much more fun and it's a great icebreaker if you're sat next to someone you don't know!
A: A really defining memory from when I was really small is sitting round a big table, whether it was at my parent's or my aunt's house, sharing a meal. I just remember that food was the thing that made everyone stop what they were doing and all come together and talk about their day, have a grumble, probably get into some heated debate, but really be a unit. I like to try and recreate that. I like my house being the place where people feel happy and cosy...and full!
Who attends your supper clubs?
L: All different types of people, we operate on a first come first served basis and we only advertise on social media, but word of mouth for us has been so powerful so we get people from all over the world emailing to ask for tickets!
A: We have one long bench and everyone sits round and shares. It's good because you're never going to be stuck without someone to chat to.
What are we going to learn from your #ELLEeats column?
A: Our posts will be about things we've been exploring or whatever has set us on a path of exploration. With J&L we're obsessed with colours and textures and prints and patterns, with our dishes and our events we spend a lot of time thinking about the little things and how they look together, that attention to detail is what we love about ELLE too. We can't believe we're going to be part of the family!
J: We'll be sharing our recipes as well as table dressing ideas, always a big part of our supper clubs. There has never been one where a guest hasn't instagrammed the table!
L: Chloe Sevigny, Lou Doillon, Clemence Posey
A: Michelle Williams, my Mum, 70's Charlotte Rampling, Diane Keaton in pretty much any film (Father Of The Bride 2 excluded)
What would your last meal on earth be? Full three courses?
L: Scallops with pea puree and some arancini, beef shin ragu with a cheese toastie, Neal's Yard British cheese board with quince.
A: Mussells and clams that I've spent the day forgaing, cooked up with samphire picked from the beach, sitting in a gorgeous creamy broth that tastes like the sea. Mopped up with some of Moro's sourdough bread.
Lamb chops from Tayabbs [incredible Punjabi restaurant in East London] and a super indulgent potato dauphinoise (with truffle oil - it is my last meal EVER, get off my case)
Vienetta left out of the freezer too long, and some of Laura's cheese board (as long as there's some Stichelton on there)
Who is your dream dinner guest?
L: Graham Norton
A: Damn, I wanted Graham. How about Amy Poehler? She'll probably decline now she knows she's second choice.
And what would you wear to have dinner with them?
L: A Haute Couture Valentino dress, but I'm always cold so I'd probably wear my fleecy leggings underneath.
A: Something gorgeous from the William Vintage vault - a 60s, A-line number with a long sleeve. Somehow he has the perfect vintage dress for every occasion.
Follow @ELLEUK for our Jackson&Levine #ELLEeats blog updates and recipes.
Sophie Beresiner is the Beauty Director for ELLE UK. Having cut her teeth on teen titles she spent her career working up to the ELLE mothership, the brand she loves above all else. Except perhaps her Cornish Rex cats and extensive shoe and lipstick collections. Sophie is also a brand founder of luxury ceramic candle brand No.22 (and single-handedly keeps ASOS afloat)
