Macon Magazine

Intentionality is a reliable way to show guests they are important but can seem ambitious to a new party-thrower. After years of practice, Canady said he has found a few ways to take some anxiety out of it. "Thinking through the experience the night before is a huge stress reliever. I mentally walk through the run-of-show, and that helps me prepare each room. Another stressor is the food. There have been times I've forgotten to pick up ingredients and had to make-do without. What I have learned to do is start with an inventory of what I have before I go to the store. I actually take things out of the pantry so I can see everything on the counter. From there, I make a list of what I need. This strategy really helps me feel confident because not preparing something the way I want or not having enough for everyone is my hosting nightmare." Another lesson Canady has learned along the way is to start by cooking dishes he is already comfortable with. "I used to try making new dishes that I haven't made before when I hosted," he said, "but I learned to avoid that. I make something new privately so there is one taste-tester instead of 10. It gives me a chance to perfect it." An experience at Canady's house is one that begins before guests even arrive. Canady sets his own energy during prep time by playing classic records while he cooks, switching to a curated playlist once guests begin to arrive. Music is integral to the evening and typically features a variety of genres. The music, like the food and the spread, is all part of creating an experience. "I want people to feel welcome," he said. "I want them to notice the details, the taste, the smell, the look. I love when people walk in and smell everything. It's an aura that happens." SUSAN RAZA AND OMER KONDO North Highlands C urating an experience is also a priority for hosts Susan Raza and Omer Kondo. Collectively, the couple has been to 21 countries across the globe, taking the time to absorb culture and cuisine along the way. "We are all about multiculturalism," Raza said. "We see hosting as an opportunity to share dishes that our friends haven't had before. We love introducing folks to a new palette." But it doesn't stop at the food. Their home is an interactive museum of their travels, complete with instruments, art, and music that invite guests to learn more about places like Togo (Kondo's homeland) or Thailand (where Raza has family). "The evening is a story," Raza said. "The food, the music, the anecdotes work together to create as authentic of an experience as possible. I want people to feel like they discovered something new or had their mind expanded." Raza and Kondo have called Macon home for 16 years. Their international experiences are intertwined with touches of the South. Their 1910 Queen Anne home in North Highlands is the perfect backdrop for the global collective they have created. When they host, Raza incorporates the natural beauty of Georgia by featuring native plants within her tablescape. "I cut things from my yard for the flower spread," she said. "Depending on the season, I may have Camellia, Wisteria, Lady Banks Roses, or even Loropetalum, which gives a great pop of color." Whether they are sharing a Moroccan tagine, explaining a drum circle of Togo, or introducing a flower native to Georgia's backyard, an evening at Raza and Kondo's is at once unique and welcoming. "We hope to get to know people on an authentic level," Raza said. "It's really more about the energy we create. I want it to feel warm, inviting, rich, and casual." Their secret to creating that environment is to be fully themselves. "We often find ourselves outside of the crowd," Raza said. "So we created an environment where we can be ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors can bring their uniqueness with them." When hosting becomes a collaborative endeavor, when guests are invited to contribute to the experience, the gathering is elevated. PICTURED: Susan Raza and Shannon Reonas-Alma

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