Kaye Tinga’s Overflowing Table: Excellent Food with Wine Glasses That Are Always Full

Vintage Murano stemware, Christofle silver and décor from W/17 dress the dinner table of Kaye

Kaye Tinga spreads a table that is both visually and palatably sumptuous. “I love putting together a nice table,” she says animatedly. “It greatly adds to the mood of the evening.” She likes to indulge invited company with abundant, choice food, sharing her mother’s mindset that all guests must be well fed and should leave the table happy and full. It was part of her Chinese upbringing that imbues her sense of entertaining with lavishness that she translates with elegance and good taste. Her dinner guests experience an overflowing table with rich flavors accompanied by premium drink. “Good food is non- negotiable, and preferably lots of it, partnered with great wine,” she enthuses. “The combination of guests is key to a successful hosting, but somehow good food and good wine almost always makes for a congenial get together, “ she says 


She normally has guests over at for dinner at least once a month, deciding on the look based on her mood at the moment. “It is usually inspired by a book I read or a place I recently visited.” Kaye chooses to entertain at home instead of a fine restaurant simply because she believes it makes guests feel more special. The co-owner of home store W/7 taps into her network of suppliers for food services, florists and interior stylists to conjure an ambiance that is easy, festive and premium. “I love working with Margarita Fores to come up with a menu that is unique and exciting.”

Besides deciding on the food with Asia’s best female chef, they discuss the tableware and linens to be used. “She actually knows what I have and suggests what would best fit a particular dish,” Kaye continues with visible enthusiasm. “The same goes for Antonio Garcia; he knows what I like, very organic and natural and he always comes up with something that is just incredible.”

One dinner she hosted brought together her group of well-traveled friends. “I wanted them to reminisce the best food and wine they’ve had in their travels there, but with a twist. For instance, our main course was very rustic. It was a butter chicken, reminiscent of the one in Sostanza, Florence, which we paired with a Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne. I loved the idea of a high low combination.  For seafood lovers, we had a Bottarga di Muggine with Bulacan River Prawns paired with a Billecart Salmon Brut Rose.  And of course, the must-haves in any dinner I host, are plentiful and eclectic assortment of desserts, such as a beautiful crepe cake, topped with candied grapes, Eton mess, and pili pecan tarts, which we paired with a Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes.  It wasn’t the usual pairing, but it came together beautifully.”

The tablescape by Antonio Garcia decked with Royal Kobe Chrysanthemums which only blossom once a year
The tablescape by Antonio Garcia decked with Royal Kobe Chrysanthemums which only blossom once a year
Dishes were paired with a selection of Kaye's favorites which include Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé and Tignanello
Dishes were paired with a selection of Kaye’s favorites which include Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé and Tignanello
Cheese, truffle and asparagus
Cheese, truffle and asparagus

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM KAYE TINGA’S DINNER PARTY…

ELEMENTS OF A RUSTIC TABLESCAPE

Kamagong napkin holder and metallic napkin by W/7 

Zwiesel 1872 Hommage Carat Bordeaux Glass – Handmade titanium crystal by Charles Schuman features dimensional cutting structure to create a visual experience of the red wine and the glass.

Zweisel 1872 Hommage Glacé Champagne Glass – Elegant glass shape with etchings is cut to create an illusion of movement as light refracts like ice crystals, adding brilliance to the champagne it holds


Orrefor Champagne Flute – The Swedish company, founded in 1898, created the mouth-blown stemware that has become a modern classic with it’s clean lines conceptualized by glass designer Erika Lagerbielke

IVV Diamanté Plate Charger – Italian handmade craftsmanship uses clean glass that has no lead oxides or polluting substances. The crystal glass is dishwasher safe.

Byzance Plate by W/7 – This fine bone china is part of a collection created by Wedgwood, the English company founded in 1759. World-class heritage combines with high-fashion, applying metallic gold edging on the couture-inspired design

Christofle Silverware in Albi – The Albi collection, created in 1968, is a modern day classic inspired by the Albi cathedral in the French town between Toulouse and Bordeaux

Giveaways were natural agate coasters by W/7

Except for the vintage Murano goblet and the Christofle Albi collection silverware, Kaye’s table accouterment are all available at W/7

Photography by Miguel Abesamis
Text by Anna Sobrepena 

READ MORE STORIES ON ENTERTAINING…

  1. Keri Zamora’s Tropical Themed Party is Instagram Goals 
  2. A Whimsical Soiree by Stephanie Ong 
  3. A Party in the Kitchen: Gin Night with Camille Ongpauco and the Dish Club 
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