Tabitha Brown Shares Her Thoughts On Being A Gracious Host

The North Carolina native wants you to feel right at home when you visit.

In 2018 Tabitha Brown was an in-between-gig actor making ends meet by driving for Uber. During one of her shifts, she stopped into a California Whole Foods and grabbed a quick bite to eat. That meal was a vegan sandwich called a TTLA (tempeh bacon, tomato, lettuce, avocado) on ciabatta bread. It was so delicious she decided to record a video of her reaction, and well, the rest, as they say, is history. That video went viral and more videos followed. She shared the health struggles that led her to become vegan and she was showing us how she found ways to not sacrifice the flavors she loved. Soon her videos were also messages of hope and inspiration and her positivity became a constant source of light for many during the pandemic.

From viral videos to becoming an ambassador for Whole Foods, a spice line with McCormick, a line at Target, landing roles on television shows like Will & Grace, The Chi, and her own Emmy award winning children’s show, Tab Time, the Eden, North Carolina native has become a household name. While she lives in California now, she’s never forgotten her Southern roots, and we aren’t just talking about the accent.

Brown recently sat down with our colleagues at our sister magazine, Better Homes & Gardens for the cover story for their Food Issue and she spoke about her “House Rules.” When it comes to entertaining, we Southerners know that the center of the home and the party is often the kitchen but how does Brown feel about too many cooks in the kitchen?

“I want to do things by myself. I don't mind guests being in there talking and stuff. But I don't really need your help—too often it can just slow things down. I like to get everything prepared myself. But sometimes I might let you come in and like, chop-up some stuff for a salad. But when I’m really cooking, honey, you’re in my way.”

She was quick to add that this does not mean she doesn’t want guests to feel relaxed when they are in her home. “I will tell you this, the first time that you come I make everybody's plate and get them settled. The second time you come home honey, you’re at home. By then, you should know where everything is, go on and get it yourself.”

Now of course, these are just a few examples of how she does it in her home and if you have other thoughts on how to be the most gracious host, as Brown famously says in her videos, “that’s your business.” You can read more about Brown’s health journey, her career, and her love for entertaining when BHG’s Food Issue featuring Tabitha Brown hits newsstands on February 23.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.