A LIGHT AFFAIR
A LIGHT AFFAIR
How does one mark a year of work, or a return to the place where it all began? A formal dinner didn’t feel right. Neither did a structured gathering. We’ve always gravitated toward what feels natural—flexible, unforced, and adaptive.
Hosting something showy during Milan’s most self-important week didn’t sit well with us. The moment called for something simpler.
A Lighter Gesture
We kept the food flowing.
A continuous, informal offering of finger foods, built from local spring ingredients sourced from regenerative farms. Regional wines, sparkling and still, set the pace. The idea was lightness—in form, in feeling, and in presence.
Our Menu
Cheese and Olive Plate. Crispy Mushroom Focaccia. Tomato, Garlic and Thyme Focaccia. Basil Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers. Crudités with Creamy Pistachio Dip. White Bean Anchoïade. Peanut Butter Meringue Cookies. B52 Jello Shot. Cornèr Valdobbiadene Grand Cuvée Prosecco Superiore. Valfaccenda Bis-Lacco Bianco
Location
Nonominal Studio, Milan
Date
17 April 2024
Tableaux
of Culinary Whimsy
Plastic-covered tables paid quiet tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Custom steel props created a literal tableau—a raised platform for finger foods and shared plates.
The menu was simple: carbs, seafood, and vegetables from Italian regenerative farms. Cocktails were served in jelly form. A gesture of playfulness without spectacle.
The space was lit in warm reds with touches of neon. A soundtrack of Slavic disco and electronica from the 1960s shaped the mood—softly nostalgic, low-pressure, fun. Guests took their own photos using disposable 35mm cameras left throughout the space.
Nothing was too polished. But everything was intentional.
Moments of Joy
Mise en Place has always been about people.
Not the food. Not the location. Not the planning. Just the brief act of sharing something that disappears as soon as it’s made.
We’re grateful for the photos, and even more for what they tried to capture: a moment held together by care, not performance. A soft nod to everything we’ve built so far—and a reminder to keep choosing what feels honest, not impressive.
One year in. Four gatherings behind us. Still learning what it means to host lightly—and with care.
“Our works are temporary in order to endow the works of art with a feeling of urgency to be seen, and the love and tenderness brought by the fact that they will not last.”
Christo + Jeanne-Claude
Menu
The menu was designed to showcase the peak flavors of the season, featuring straightforward flavor pairings and paying homage to traditional dishes from various regions of Italy.
Natural Wine
Courtesy of Valfaccenda Winery in Canale, Piedmont.
Photography
By our guests, via Kodak FunSaver 35mm single use cameras that were peppered throughout the space.
Playlist
Curated playlist of the evening, available here.
Thank You
To all of our guests for filling the volume with the good energy and taking all the images that archived this special evening.
Special Thanks
To Nonominal Studio, our kind and generous hosts and ever supporting friends for opening up their home and all the assist on the set build, food runs, sourcing premium natural wine, and sorting out an incredibly thoughtful light installation.