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ELYSIAN Women Inspiring Women

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ELYSIAN VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 3 THE CULINARY ISSUE / L’ÉDITION CULINAIRE AUTOMNE 2026

108

World at the Table THE FOUR SEASONS CULINARY EXPERIENCE. BY CAROLINE RYAN

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE IN FLORENCE, ITALY / PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS / FOURSEASONS.COM

the Genesis of a

Culinary Icon

130

JULIA CHILD. BY HENRIETTA SHELLEY

the History & the Romance of

Canada

164

TRACE THE SWEEPING, EVOCATIVE STORY OF CANADA THROUGH ITS ART, HISTORY, AND ROMANCE.

BY SOPHIE CHAMBEAUX

Inspiring Women Lorena Garcia page 166 Jolana Nika page 174 Jordan Heyd page 180

architecture&interiors

The Art of Gathering - BY HALEY HUDSONUDSON

food&dining

Champagne & Candlelight in Copenhagen - BY MARCY DUBROFF

56 art&history

74food&culture

A Blurred Line Between Still Life & Portraiture - BY JAN MARIETTI

The Art Seduction, Splendor & Story of Caviar - BY SONIA HENRY

essentials

Luxuriously Judith Leiber - BY SINDIE FITZGERALD-RANKIN

190

food&wellness The Eternal Promise of the Tiny Seed - BY NICOLE GRANGE

196

philanthropy The Storehouse We All Need - BY ASTRID WOLFE

212

back story

In honor of America’s 250-year legacy, ELYSIAN’s Red and Blue Issue Launch was held in conjunction with the Call for Humanity Summit in South Carolina.

on the cover

Swedish-born health coach, personal trainer and wellness entrepreneur Jolana Nika. PHOTOGRAPH BY VICTORIA ZIRAKOVA

Campbell’s Soup Company, “The Souper Dress,” 1966-1967. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY © THE MUSEUM AT FIT

142

An Appetite for Elegance THE ENDURING ROMANCE BETWEEN FASHION & FOOD. BY IVY FOSTER

c r e at o r - i n - c h i e f

publisher

Karen Floyd digital marketing & newsletter

Amber Edwards web design

& comptroller

managing editor

Anna Christian

& development

film

Jason Spencer

c r e at i v e p r o d u c e r

Elliot Derhay

Ryan Stalvey

philanthropy

& video

special projects director

Garrick Lane

& i m pa c t

d i g i ta l

Sara Margaret Moore

& a p p i n n o vat i o r

p u b l i c a f fa i r s

Rafe Andrews

Kimberli Scott Still

Joey Iannetta

Boone Peeler

editorial deputy

legal

p o l i c y s t r at e g y

d i g i ta l s t r at e g y

events

Marcy Dubroff

Eric Nodine

Justin Evans

Christiana Purves

Carolyn Schoepf

lead photographer

photographer

stylist

photographer

s u m m i t c o o r d i n at o r

Michael Paniccia

Joy Smallwood

Andrew Gergley

James Agens

Kathryn Harvey

community liaison

office manager

e x e c u t i v e a s s i s ta n t

property manager

Rita Allison

Becky Kerr

Diane High

Aidan Stanton

inspiring women

aspiring women

Karen Floyd

Dr. Christina Rahm contributing writers

Sophie Chambeaux, Marcy Dubroff, Nicole Grange, Sonia Henry, Haley Hudson, Jan Marietti, Caroline Ryan, Sindie Fitzgerald-Rankin, Caroline Ryan, Henrietta Shelley, Astrid Wolfe copy editors

Monya Havekost, Diane High p u b l i c r e l at i o n s

printer

c i r c u l at i o n s p e c i a l i s t

c o n s u lta n t

Norah Lawlor

Joe Giuffrida/Mega Mailers

Greg Wolfe

Carmel Fauci

w w w . r e a d e ly s i a n . c o m ELYSIAN Magazine is published four times per year by Palladian Publications LLC., 113 W. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29306. For subscription information, call 864-342-6500. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

elysian is proud to feature our updated ios app, redesigned from the ground up to maximize your experience — download now in the app store to read and view exclusive elysian content, watch livestreams and participate in our special events.

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FOOD IS A GREAT STORYTELLER. IT TELLS US WHERE WE’VE BEEN AND WHERE WE’RE GOING.” —MASHAMA BAILEY

ood has always been more than sustenance; it is memory, ritual, heritage, and conversation. It transcends borders, languages, and backgrounds. A single dish can bridge generations, spark laughter among strangers, or quietly honor traditions that might otherwise fade. This is why we chose to lean deeply into a culinary focus for this issue.

The Story

The Why

ELYSIAN’s mission has always centered on purposeful inspiration and celebrating exceptional women who shape culture with intention. In a time of rapid change, where technology can isolate as easily as it connects, we believe turning toward food and travel offers a powerful antidote. This culinary issue emerged naturally from our Travel & Food coverage and strong reader resonance. Many of you have shared how much you cherish the experiential pieces: the sensory details of a dish, the stories behind ingredients, and the women (chefs, hosts, and preservers of tradition) who keep these flames alive. We see food as an extension of our broader themes – wellness, enlightenment and spirituality. Food is non-partisan, aspirational and yet accessible. It allows us to explore luxury not as opulence, but as mindful enjoyment, cultural appreciation, and the joy of gathering. Whether you recreate a meaningful recipe at home, plan a trip centered around a specific cuisine, or simply pause to appreciate the hands that prepared your meal, we hope this issue encourages you to see food as a thread in the larger tapestry. Food is the ultimate connector. So, cheers to tables filled with laughter, good food, great company, and meaningful conversations. Much love,

• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com

Karen Floyd Publisher

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES AGENS

Food does not just nourish our bodies; it carries stories. Every ingredient, every technique, and every recipe passed down through generations holds within it the voices of those who came before us. As Chef Mashama Bailey beautifully captured, food is a great storyteller. It tells us where we have been and where we are going. As one of ELYSIAN’s storytellers, this truth deeply resonates with me. Food connects us not only to our past and future but also reveals the soul of the one who prepared it. The care in seasoning, the choice of ingredients, the presentation on the plate, all speak volumes about the cook’s love and intention. A dish created with mindfulness carries the preparer’s spirit into the meal, turning simple nourishment into an act of generosity and connection. Food is also art, an intimate form of self-expression. Just as a painter chooses colors and brushstrokes to convey emotion and vision, a cook composes with flavors, textures, and aromas to tell their own story. Each plate becomes a canvas where personal history, creativity, cultural pride, and emotion are expressed. In this way, preparing and sharing food is a profound act of vulnerability and generosity: we offer not only sustenance but a piece of ourselves. A secret spice blend whispers of migration and resilience—the hands of Andean mothers who crushed aji amarillo, cumin, and fragrant herbs in stone mortars high in the mountains of South America, blending indigenous flavors with those carried across oceans by generations of travelers, transforming hardship into bold, sun-kissed layers of heat, earth, and life-affirming warmth. A perfectly aged cheese speaks of patience and place—the quiet hands of the affineur who turned the wheels in the cool, limestone caves of France, where months of slow transformation in humid shadows birth complex veins of blue or velvety rinds, carrying the earthy breath of ancient stone, the rhythm of seasons, and the patient alchemy of time itself. A humble loaf of bread recounts the hands that kneaded it, the ancient clay ovens of the Middle East where it was slapped against searing walls, puffing dramatically into life with a breath of steam and fire—carrying the rhythm of generations, the scent of desert winds, and the quiet miracle of transformation. These edible narratives bring meaning far beyond spice, cheese and bread. It is their story. Even more powerfully, when adversaries or strangers sit at the same table, food becomes a bridge for reconciliation. Is it the food eaten, the stories shared, or the simple ritual of breaking bread together? In conflict resolution traditions around the world, shared dining has long been used to humanize the “other,” lower defenses, and turn former enemies into conversation partners. The Bedouin sulha, a time-honored practice of tribal reconciliation, culminates in a ceremonial meal where opposing parties eat together, symbolizing restored trust and peace. Modern peacebuilding efforts echo this wisdom, using communal tables to foster empathy where formal talks have failed. Social science supports what these traditions have known for centuries: sharing a meal creates bonds of trust and cooperation that are difficult to achieve through dialogue alone. Throughout cultures and centuries, meals have served as the great equalizer and unifier where the exchange is not about the food per se but more importantly, a glimpse into one another’s lives. Food achieves what formal dialogue sometimes cannot. It slows us down. It invites vulnerability. It fosters genuine connection through experience.

artevey.com

EVEY FINE ART / PALM BEACH

DC series 200, mixed media on canvas, by Marta Estrems

architecture&design

The Art of Gathering BY HALEY HUDSON

• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com

Rustic elegance is at the heart of this dining room faturing Alba’s seven light alabaster glass and bronze ceiling pendant. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY LUXXU / LUXXU.NET

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Covet House’s “Royal Dining Room” concepts blend classical opulence with modern flair, often featuring deep royal blue velvets, ornate gold artisan legs, and statement bird-motif chandeliers. The spaces are anchored by iconic statement pieces like the hand-carved, marquetry-detailed Royal Dining Table by Boca do Lobo. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY COVETHOUSE.EU

• automne 2025 • l’édition dorée • readelysian.com

all the rooms in a home, the dining room may be the most revealing. A kitchen tells us how someone cooks. A living room reveals how they relax. A dining room reflects how they welcome others into their lives. It is where birthdays are marked, holidays unfold, friendships deepen, and conversations linger long after the final course has been served. Long after guests have forgotten the menu or the floral arrangement, they remember the warmth of the room, the glow of candlelight, and the feeling of remaining at the table long after they had intended to leave. For much of the last two decades, the dining room quietly surrendered some of its prominence within the home. Open floor plans blurred the boundaries between cooking, dining, and entertaining, while oversized kitchen islands became the new gathering point for everyday life. Convenience often took precedence over ceremony, and many formal dining rooms disappeared altogether in favor of multifunctional spaces designed to accommodate increasingly busy schedules. Yet something interesting has happened in recent years. Homeowners are once again making room for rituals that had quietly disappeared from daily life. In a world filled with notifications, crowded calendars, and constant distractions, the dining room offers something increasingly uncommon: a reason to sit down and stay awhile. It is one of the few spaces within a home that encourages undivided attention, drawing people away from screens and back toward one another. The renewed interest in dining rooms suggests a subtle change in priorities. The most desirable homes today

• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com

THE ART OF DINING WELL IS NO SLIGHT ART, THE PLEASURE NOT A SLIGHT PLEASURE; NEITHER THE GREATEST CAPTAINS NOR THE GREATEST PHILOSOPHERS HAVE DISDAINED THE USE OR SCIENCE OF EATING WELL.” —MICHEL DE MONTAIGNE

FRENCH RENAISSANCE WRITER

are not necessarily the largest. They are the homes that enrich everyday life, creating opportunities for celebration, conversation, and shared traditions. In many ways, the dining room has become the setting where those moments naturally unfold. This shift is visible in the way people entertain today. Rather than reserving dining rooms for holidays or special occasions, many homeowners are reimagining them as spaces for everyday rituals. A Wednesday dinner with family, a long lunch with friends, or a quiet evening shared over a bottle of wine can carry the same significance as a formal celebration. The dining room no longer exists solely for grand occasions. It has become a setting for the smaller moments that ultimately shape our lives and relationships.

the center of every memorable dining room sits the table itself. Long before guests notice the artwork, the lighting, or the architectural details surrounding them, they gather around the table. It becomes the focal point of the room and, often, the emotional center of the home. Unlike many furnishings that are replaced as tastes evolve, dining tables are frequently chosen with permanence in mind. Whether crafted from richly veined marble, hand-finished wood, or natural stone, the finest examples feel less like furniture and more like heirlooms in the making. They become part of a family’s story, quietly accumulating memories through holiday meals, milestone celebrations, and countless ordinary evenings shared together. Of course, a beautiful table alone cannot create a remarkable room. That responsibility belongs largely to light. Designers frequently discuss lighting in technical terms, yet its greatest influence is emotional. It shapes the mood of a room more powerfully than almost any other design element. Bright illumination encourages activity and movement, while softer, layered lighting invites people to settle in. The dinners we remember most vividly are rarely defined by the fixture hanging overhead. Instead, they are remembered for the glow reflected across stone surfaces, candlelight dancing across crystal glassware, and the gradual transition from afternoon sunlight to evening conversation. Materiality plays a similarly important role. Rich woods introduce warmth and depth. Natural stone changes character throughout the day as light moves across its surface. Upholstered seating softens acoustics and creates comfort that encourages guests to remain seated long after dessert has been enjoyed. The most successful dining rooms understand that refinement is often found not in excess, but in thoughtful layering, restraint, and craftsmanship. A beautifully woven linen, a hand-finished chair, or the subtle contrast between polished and textured surfaces can transform a room in ways that are felt immediately, even if they are not consciously noticed.

automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com • Make a bold statement with sculptural lighting in your dining room. These artistic fixtures do more than illuminate—they anchor the space, instantly elevating a simple table into a dramatic focal point. The Waterfall Chandelier from Luxxu is a luxury lighting piece defined by its cascading crystal glass composition and architectural presence. Inspired by the fluid movement of waterfalls, this statement chandelier creates a dramatic yet elegant visual effect. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY LUXXU / LUXXU.NET

The KOKET Gem Table Lamp illuminates this exquisitely designed Emirates Hills Villa by Nikki B Interiors. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY COVET HOUSE / COVETHOUSE.EU / BYKOKET.COM

automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com •

Elevate your modern dining space with a striking statement chandelier or minimalist linear suspension. The Empire Snooker Suspension Lamp combines crystal glass and gold-plated brass to deliver a statement of opulence and grandeur. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY COVET HOUSE / COVETHOUSE.EU

Opposite: The Roxy chandelier by KOKET is just as thrilling and desirable as her name implies. Four decadent metal orbs are encompassed by glittering crystal sunburst panels surrounded by a metal halo. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY COVET HOUSE / COVETHOUSE.EU / BYKOKET.COM

• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com

This palatial dining room showcase is centered on iconic statement furniture by the Portuguese luxury brand Boca do Lobo. Shimmering entirely in polished gold-plated brass, the Fortuna Dining Table surface represents a compendium of log rings imitating a tree trunk. Opposite: This dining room features a luxurious, modern dining room interior design featuring high-end furniture and statement lighting pieces by Boca do Lobo. The focal point is the Hera Round II Suspension Lamp. It is handcrafted from cast brass molded to resemble golden tree branches, adorned with organic, frosted glass light globes. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY COVET HOUSE / COVETHOUSE.EU / BOCADOLOBO.COM

• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com

An elongated crystal chandelier casts a brilliant glow over a marble dining table, beautifully illuminating the elegant beige velvet chairs in this ultra-luxurious dining room. This room illustrates contemporary concepts design by the Portuguese furniture and lighting brand LUXXU.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY LUXXU / LUXXU.NET

• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com

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Featured below is a minimalist, contemporary dining room interior highlighting high-end architectural lighting from the Italian luxury brand KDLN (formerly Kundalini). PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY KDLN / KDLN.IT Opposite: A luxurious, modern dining room interior featuring statement lighting pieces by Boca do Lobo. The Dining Table is a round table featuring a richly veined, polished book-matched marble or quartzite top supported by an intricately textured, metallic gold cylinder base. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY COVET HOUSE / COVETHOUSE.EU / BOCADOLOBO.COM

• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com

The finest interiors understand that comfort and beauty are not opposing ideas. A room may be visually stunning, but if it feels cold, overly formal, or disconnected from daily life, people rarely spend time there. The most memorable dining rooms strike a balance between elegance and ease. They encourage guests to relax, settle into conversation, and lose track of time. This quality cannot be purchased through furnishings alone. It emerges from a thoughtful combination of scale, proportion, texture, and atmosphere. This understanding is closely connected to hospitality. The most memorable dining rooms are not designed around appearance alone, but around the people who will use them. Every decision contributes to the rhythm of an evening. Scale influences intimacy. Proportion shapes conversation. Seating affects comfort. Lighting establishes mood. Together, these elements create an environment where guests feel at ease, stories unfold naturally, and dinners stretch pleasantly beyond expectations. The finest dining rooms support these moments without ever drawing attention to themselves. They provide the setting, the comfort, and the character, then quietly step aside so that what matters most can unfold around the table. This philosophy is beautifully demonstrated in LUXXU’s recently unveiled Canadian penthouse residence. The dining room emerges as a distinct space within the home, defined by a carefully considered material palette and a layered approach to furnishings and lighting. LUXXU describes the room as being “crafted in light and texture,” noting that “wood and marble are the materials of choice for the dining room, continuing the natural scheme, while emerging as a singular space.” At the center of the room sits the Littus oval dining table, which serves as the focal point of the design. Overhead, the Skyline III suspension introduces illumination through alabaster diffusers, reinforcing the room’s emphasis on materiality and craftsmanship. Additional layers are introduced through the Tenor sideboard, Vertigo mirror, and Waterfall wall lamps. Together, these elements create a composition that reflects LUXXU’s approach to luxury interiors, where materials, furnishings, and lighting work together to define the character of a space. What makes the Canadian penthouse particularly successful is its understanding of restraint. Luxury often carries the misconception that more is always better. More finishes. More statement pieces. More visual impact. Yet the most sophisticated interiors rarely rely on excess. They succeed because every element feels intentional and every decision contributes to a larger vision. In the LUXXU dining room, the furnishings, materials, and architectural details work together to create an environment designed not simply to be admired, but to be lived in.

• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com

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Anchored by the nature-inspired Apis II Dining Table, this luxurious dining room by BRABBU pairs an organic live-edge wood top with an interlocking gold-plated brass base. Surrounding the centerpiece, the Tellus Velvet Dining Chairs in muted teal velvet bring sophisticated comfort with delicate nailhead trim. In the background, a large-format bookmatched white marble wall slab is framed by glowing LED cove lighting, beautifully tied together by a sleek mid-century brass linear chandelier. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY BRABBU / BRABBU.COM

daylight fades and evening settles in, the room reveals its greatest strength. The materials, furnishings, and lighting work together to create a setting that feels equally suited to an intimate family dinner or a celebratory evening with friends. This feels especially relevant during autumn, a season uniquely suited to the rituals of entertaining. As outdoor gatherings give way to indoor occasions, dining rooms naturally assume greater importance within the home. Textures become richer. Candlelight becomes more prominent. Meals become slower and more intentional. There is an intimacy to autumn entertaining that feels perfectly aligned with the purpose of the dining room. Autumn has always been a season of return. Families gather after summer travel. Friends reconnect around shared meals. Entertaining moves indoors, where lighting, texture, and atmosphere take on greater importance. Dining rooms become more than functional spaces. They become the backdrop for Thanksgiving dinners, intimate celebrations, and spontaneous evenings that stretch later than planned. The shift feels natural, yet it serves as a reminder of the enduring role these rooms play within the home. The most thoughtfully designed spaces respond effortlessly to these seasonal rhythms. They require no dramatic transformation. Instead, they evolve naturally with changing light, changing weather, and changing patterns of daily life. A room built upon strong materials, thoughtful lighting, and enduring craftsmanship feels as relevant on a quiet Tuesday evening as it does during a holiday celebration. As autumn settles in and evenings move indoors, the dining room resumes its role as one of the home’s most important spaces. Candles are lit. Extra chairs are pulled to the table. Conversations stretch longer than expected. The finest dining rooms were never designed simply to be admired. They were designed for these moments. Long after the details of a room fade from memory, it is the feeling of having been welcomed, celebrated, and included that endures. ■

• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com Above: This modern dining room by LUXXU showcases the magnificent Waterfall Rectangular Suspension Lamp, featuring goldplated brass framing and ribbed crystal glass tubes. Sophisticated beige leather Algerone Dining Chairs with high-gloss black legs surround the table. The dramatic space is defined by polished sage-green marble wall panels with gold geometric trim and large mirrored accent back-panels that beautifully expand the scale. Opposite: LUXXU’s striking Empire Oval Dining Table with a veined Carrara marble top and polished gold base. Elegant taupe velvet Talie chairs surround the table, while the leaf-sculpted McQueen Suspension Lamp illuminates the space against a stunning, book-matched marble feature wall. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY LUXXU / LUXXU.NET

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• automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com

This chalet-style luxury dining room by LUXXU centers on the Algerone Oval Dining Table, featuring a sleek black glass top on a fluted walnut root base. Staggered Skyline Suspension Lamps cast a warm glow through texturized alabaster panels over cream leather Algerone Dining Chairs. Framed by natural wood vaulted ceilings, a dark marble wall, and a goldaccented Vertigo mirror, the space gracefully merges rustic warmth with contemporary grandeur against a panoramic forest backdrop.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY automne 2026 • l’édition culinaire • readelysian.com • LUXXU / LUXXU.NET