ABOUT
"My life and work have always revolved around the art of gathering how people come together, and what makes them feel truly welcome once they do"
MY LIFE
I began my career in fashion, helping establish the European divisions of Ralph Lauren while living in Amsterdam and traveling regularly to London and Paris. In the 1990s, I founded At Home, a luxury home furnishings and textile brand known for its globally inspired collections, thoughtful table settings, and early commitment to sustainable packaging. The brand appeared on the covers of home styling magazines including Elle Décor in both Europe and the United States, recognized for pairing elegance with warmth and everyday humanity.
Fashion & Design
Hospitality Across Continents
In 1997, I moved to Beijing, and later to Shanghai in 2003, where hospitality became both my practice and my language. My home anchored by a sixteen-foot table welcomed chefs, artists, diplomats, and friends from around the world. I hosted large international gatherings and high-visibility fundraisers, raising nearly half a million dollars in support of the inventor of Tibetan Braille, and worked alongside visiting Michelin-starred chefs in their kitchens. Through a global cooking club and years of hands-on learning, I came to believe deeply that food is one of the most powerful ways people connect across cultures.
Gardens & the Land
Across continents, I have always kept a garden. From the Netherlands to China and now Pennsylvania, my gardens center on edible beauty flowers, herbs, and vegetables grown with intention and harvested for my table. Now a certified Master Gardener, I bring this seasonal relationship with the land directly into the meals I create.
Today, I bring these experiences together through The Long Table by Catharina a hospitality studio devoted to beautiful meals and meaningful connection. I create intimate, family-style wedding dinners at Promise Ridge, host seasonal dinner series at my home in Shawnee-on-Delaware, and lead hands-on cooking experiences rooted in craft, generosity, and story.
The Long Table by Catharina
MY CREW
Every celebration is supported by a small, trusted team who help bring each meal to life. Together, we ensure your day unfolds with care, intention, and attention to detail.
Here for you
"Each gathering I create is guided by a simple philosophy: beautiful meals, shared beautifully moments designed to feel less like an event, and more like a scene from a well-lived life."