Katherine Hooker has designed for the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, as well as celebrity royalty such as Taylor Swift, Meryl Streep and Jerry Hall.While she's usually busy working away in her design studios in London and on the Greek island of Patmos preparing creations for the likes of the Duchess, we asked her how she would win over the brunette royal and her other star clients in the kitchen come Thanksgiving.
Here's what Katherine, who grew up in the States and is now based in London, said: "I'm a terrible cook!! I'd invite them all to Vermont to spend Thanksgiving – with enormous and fabulous family – which is what I'm doing this year. "What would she do food-wise? The designer, who created the coat donned by Kate on her first Garter Day parade in 2011 and the bright red shift dress she wore on her visit to East Anglia Children's Hospices last year, said she'd turn to her favourite foodie shops: "I'd go to the best delis and the best farm shops in the area and I would put out an incredible spread of cheeses, charcuterie, bread."
© Photo: RexThe 52-year-old would cook the turkey centerpiece herself because "it's the only thing I cook really well". She would also opt for an "amazing local free-range organic turkey and roasted vegetables" and make sure she had "warming wine and velvety cognac".And finally – and maybe the key to Katherine's sartorial success, she says: "The absolute key thing is to find out what they want, what they like.
"I know when people do that for me I will dream about it right up to the occasion. You want to do the same for your guests - guaranteed happiness. "Katherine, who in this week's HELLO! magazine describes the Duchess as "a beautiful young woman" and "very down to earth", says that company and atmosphere is key, and that she marks Thanksgiving with a personal touch by the reading of everyone's favourite poems.
Read the full interview in this week's HELLO! magazine, on sale now in all good newsagents and available to download on iPad, android, kindle fire and more formats. Or subscribe today to make sure you don't miss an issue!
