Table Manners

There have numerous YouTube video interview “shows” lately, inspired by television shows going back to Edward R. Murrow. Some have been spectacularly successful (Rick Beato) while more of them have had an appeal limited to those sharing certain interests.

One that I have grown to appreciate is Table Manners, a production from the UK featuring singer/songwriter Jessie Ware and her mother, Lennie. They invite celebrities into their home for a meal which is prepared as they socialize with their guest(s). The episodes are hit-or miss, some of the minor UK celebs lack appeal for me, especially humorists. But those episodes that do work are really special, showing the human sides of actors, singers, and even chefs. They have been on a roll lately, with stand-out appearances from Jeff Goldblum, Giorgio Locatelli, Ralph Fiennes, and a very poignant show featuring Kristin Scott Thomas. They show themselves to be real people, and talk about their upbringing (centering around food, of course)

The mother-daughter dynamic is also a big plus. Lennie was a social worker for 40 years and has a bottomless well of empathy to draw upon. Jessie is vivacious to the point of being a bit brittle at times, but that contrast and the mild ‘spats’ between them add another dimension to the proceedings. The food looks delicious, they often credit various recipe books, but it is easy to find similar ones on the internet (the Greek Lemon Chicken with Potatoes is a delight.)