Holiday Ornament Exchange with Angel’s Envy at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

The holiday season is where I truly thrive. There is something about this time of year — the warmth, the gatherings, the shared moments — that feels especially meaningful. I love bringing people together, sipping bubbles and bourbon, supporting incredible restaurants, and creating spaces that feel both beautiful and safe for connection and celebration.

As the founder of Eating With Erica Supper Club, a luxury supper club based in Atlanta, my heart is especially drawn to women who are new to the city and seeking community. Whether you’ve recently relocated or are simply craving more intentional connection, our gatherings are designed to help Atlanta feel like home — one thoughtfully curated table at a time.

This year, we hosted our holiday ornament exchange in collaboration with Angel’s Envy at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours. It was an evening built around bourbon pairings, seasonal dishes, and conversation that unfolded naturally.

Angel’s Envy: Bourbon Crafted With Intention

Founded in Louisville, Kentucky, Angel’s Envy is known for its secondary barrel finishing process. After aging in traditional charred oak barrels, the bourbon is finished in port wine or Caribbean rum casks, creating softness and depth while maintaining structure.

The result is layered and balanced — refined without losing character.

Bourbon is often marketed in ways that suggest it belongs in certain rooms. But women drink bourbon — thoughtfully, confidently, and with curiosity. Around this table, it felt completely natural. It wasn’t a statement. It wasn’t a novelty. It was simply part of the experience.

What made the evening feel seamless was how naturally everything came together — the bourbon, the food, the women, the energy in the room. Nothing felt overproduced. Nothing felt forced. It simply unfolded.

Shop What I Use: Holiday Ornament Exchange with Angel’s Envy at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

An Evening at Twisted Soul

We gathered at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, hosted by Deborah VanTrece — a celebrated chef, restaurateur, and author. Many also know her from Global Soul Kitchen on Hulu, where she explores the intersection of global flavors and Southern roots.

But beyond television and accolades, what stands out most in her dining room is her hospitality. It feels grounded. Steady. Sincere.

Partnering alongside her daughter, Kirsten Berry, each cocktail was designed to complement the courses without overpowering them. Seasonal notes of citrus, spice, and warmth paired naturally with the bourbon’s character.

The room didn’t feel like an event. It felt like a gathering — intimate, layered, intentional. Conversations deepened between courses. Glasses were refilled without rush. Women who may have arrived as acquaintances left feeling more connected.

That is the beauty of a thoughtfully set table.

The Holiday Supper Club Menu & Pairings

The evening unfolded in courses, each designed to highlight a different expression of Angel’s Envy while complementing the season.

A welcome cocktail opened the night with brightness and warmth, easing everyone into the rhythm of the evening.

The first course paired Angel’s Envy Triple Oak with buttermilk chicken croquette, whipped potato, hot-honey–cured egg yolk, and caviar. The croquette carried richness balanced by texture, while the bourbon echoed subtle toasted notes.

The second course highlighted Angel’s Envy Rye Caribbean Cask alongside a winter salad of citrus and bitter greens, hearts of palm, beets, toasted benne seed, and sorghum vinaigrette. The rye’s spice cut beautifully through the freshness of the salad.

The third course featured Angel’s Envy Port Finished with smoked catfish mortadella, black beluga lentils, tomato sugo, watercress, and root vegetable purée. This pairing felt especially layered — savory depth meeting subtle sweetness.

Dessert closed the evening with dark chocolate budino bread pudding and espresso budino sauce. Warm and comforting, it encouraged guests to linger rather than rush toward the door.

Each course had space. There was no hurry. The pacing allowed the food — and the conversations — to settle.

Holiday Tablescape Inspiration

Tablescapes are always a signature element of the Eating With Erica Supper Club experience. For the holidays, I leaned into holly — timeless and understated — paired with plaid as a subtle nod to Southern heritage. Embroidered details added refinement without feeling excessive.

Bow napkin rings from Mark & Graham completed the setting, offering a festive accent that felt polished but not overstated.

The goal was never spectacle. It was atmosphere.

The Ornament Exchange

The ornament exchange added a layer of nostalgia to the evening. Each guest brought something personal — a small reflection of tradition, humor, or memory.

As ornaments were exchanged, stories followed. Childhood traditions. First holidays in Atlanta. Favorite family recipes. There is something grounding about sharing those pieces of ourselves around a table.

It reminded me that connection often happens in the quietest moments.

What I Wore

I wore a Tuckernuck dress that felt appropriate for the setting — polished yet comfortable. Paired with classic pearls, it transitioned easily from cocktails to dessert. Holiday dressing should feel effortless and confident, not overly complicated.

An Evening to Remember

By the end of the night, no one seemed in a rush to leave. Conversations stretched beyond introductions. Coats were gathered slowly. Hugs lingered.

The evening was a reminder that community does not require excess to feel meaningful. With thoughtful food, well-crafted bourbon, and women willing to gather with intention, connection happens naturally.

And that is always the goal.

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