Conversation, Connection, and Cuisine:

Welcome to the Table of Tabili 

Interview by Sharaf Aqeel

Sisters Hannah (left) and Joy (right).

Tabili is an exploration of gathering people together around a table. Joy’s background in food technology instigated not only her passion for cuisine but also her interest in the anthropology behind food. In combination with Hannah’s drive to bring people together and build meaningful connections within her surrounding community, Tabili was born. 

Since ‘The First Supper,’ Hannah and Joy Van Geerestein’s concept has evolved way beyond hosting dinners. From PR and client events to private parties such as weddings, Tabili consolidates intimate experiences centred around different themes such as nourishment, community, and rituals using three simple pillars: Conversation, Connection, and Cuisine. We took a seat at their table to experience it firsthand.

Hannah performing the handwashing ritual on a guest.

Your events tend to start with performing a handwashing ritual on the guests. How did this ritual come to be, and why is it a significant part of a Tabili gathering? 

Hannah:

At ‘The First Supper,’ we drew inspiration from various biblical stories, especially the Last Supper. One powerful moment that stood out was when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples before sharing the meal. This act wasn’t just about physical cleanliness; it was a profound demonstration that He came not for honour or status, but to serve others in love.

In most gatherings, there is often a distinction between host and guest, a perceived hierarchy. Inspired by Jesus’ act of humility, we wanted to break that pattern. We found that washing our guests' hands at the start dissolves that hierarchy. It fosters a mutual relationship of respect and care,

reminding us that as hosts, we are there to serve and connect with our guests on an equal level.

Initially, this ritual was intended solely for ‘The First Supper,’ but the experience proved to be so healing and meaningful for both us and our guests that it has since become a cherished part of all our events.

Joy:

Drawing from the biblical foundation of our theme, we also explored cleansing rituals from other religious traditions. For instance, in Islam, Wudu’—a ritual washing—is performed before entering a mosque and engaging in prayer. In a similar sense, we view the dining table as a sacred space. Through our hand-washing ritual, we invite our guests to approach the meal with a sense of reverence, as if they’re participating in a holy practice. By doing so, we hope the experience becomes more intentional: guests are there to truly savour the food rather than merely consume, and to engage in meaningful conversation, rather than casual talk.

Hannah and Joy describe Tabili as a window into their souls and lives. The themes of their events are rooted in a combination of conducted research and mutual personal interests that they hope to explore and reflect on with their guests.

People have been coming together and finding refuge in groups for centuries, whether in times of happiness or despair, in peace or trouble. There is deep significance in gathering people, especially around a table. For many, the dining table is simply a place to eat and consume, but Tabili highlights the anthropological, social, and cultural aspects of food by asking, "Why do we eat? And what does it mean to eat together?" 

In previous Tabili editions, you’ve explored themes such as spiritual urgency and cultural exchange. What do these themes mean to you as individuals? And what do the question cards add to the Tabili experience?

Hannah:

Originally, the idea behind Tabili stemmed from a birthday dinner I hosted during COVID, where I invited friends from all different walks of life. Since meaningful conversations at the dinner table have always been super important to our family, I created conversation cards on the table to guide the discussion. Additionally, I paid a lot of attention to the table setting and the food that would be served. Seeing it all come together—and evolve into something deeper and more intentional than a typical gathering—was one of the key moments that inspired us to combine our strengths and shape Tabili into what it is today, including curating thoughtful questions and ensuring they align with the event’s theme. 

Joy:

We find that the question cards at our table are the key to sparking good conversations and meaningful connections at our gatherings. As people, it’s in our nature to want to share our thoughts and feelings, but we often hesitate when it comes to initiating those deeper conversations. That’s where the cards come in: as gentle guides to help real and meaningful dialogue unfold. They’re there for you to use, but it’s ultimately up to you to take the leap. So far, we’ve seen how valuable the cards can be in moving our guests beyond small talk and straight into deeper discussions. Especially as most of our guests are strangers to one another.

As Tabili grew from being an intimate event between close friends to gatherings open to the public, have your roles as hosts changed in any way?

Hannah:

As hosts, we strive to ensure that everyone at our table has equal space to speak, be vulnerable, and not be overshadowed. We’ve had our share of moments where we’ve had to gently steer the conversation, or even pause it when things got too heated or emotional. While there’s nothing wrong with showing emotion, there’s a delicate balance between expressing oneself and dominating the space. This is where ‘Table Talk’ comes into play. Whereby opening up ourselves, we set the tone and establish the atmosphere we hope to cultivate at the table, creating a benchmark for our guests to follow. 

‘Table Talk’ is a segment of the dinner where either Hannah or Joy shares a poem, personal story, or letter, concluding with a thought-provoking question or statement. This sparks a group discussion, inviting everyone at the table to engage and share their perspectives.

“Connection is like a mirror. If we close ourselves off, the dinner guests will do the same. But when either of us opens up, the true essence of Tabili comes alive, and the guests respond with that same openness and vulnerability.“

At our second edition, The Garden of Eden, I led the ‘Table Talk’ based on a book I read about whether love is a verb or a noun. I shared my answer through a deeply personal story of heartbreak, which was challenging to do in front of twenty-something people. Yet, the response was immediate and remarkable—our guests began to share their own stories, eager to be heard. That’s when we knew: true connection happens when we’re brave enough to lead with our own fragility“.

“Guests are provided with a ‘Tabili of Contents’ publication at every gathering that allows them to take their experience home in a physical format. What is the significance of these publications?”  

Joy: 

At the end of each gathering, we offer our guests a Tabili of Contents—a small publication they can take home with them. It’s our way of extending the experience beyond the table, giving people something tangible to return with after the night ends. 

It holds pieces of the evening—previous research, themes we explored, and little insights that might otherwise get lost in the moment. We also weave in elements of food anthropology, not to be academic, but to show how even the most ordinary things we eat or share have rich cultural and symbolic meaning. 

Like a table of contents in a book, it gives shape to what’s been shared and a path forward for deeper thought or conversation. We see it as a way for the stories and connections sparked at the table to continue growing, long after the plates have been cleared.