Walentyna Hoffman, wife of a film director

BB - Do you like to throw parties??
WH - I like it, I must.
BB - Big or small?
WH - I have to arrange the big ones, and I like small ones. It's not quite like that anyway. Once, a year ago, two, I loved big parties, I liked movement, huge amount of people, meeting new people, their new problems. It seemed to me, that this is somehow the fullness of life. We had big parties, mainly after her husband's film premieres, for 200-300 people - most often in a restaurant, of course, because where can we accommodate such a crowd - but we often did 50 people at home.
After the premiere of the film To the Last Blood, we hosted 60 people.
What am I giving? I improvise most of the time. I never think of a special menu and I don't prepare carefully.
We both like roast meat, and I think, that we are doing them well. It is generally a lamb leg baked in a special herbal composition. I bring a lot of herbs and spices from Georgia - I like their taste and aroma - I also prepare rice in Georgian. If I miss anything, I spice it up with other toppings, different every time, a little bit of intuition, a little spontaneously.
I set huge platters of sliced ​​meat on the table, next to it in bowls of rice and lettuce. We serve vodka and mineral waters to drink, wine, we also have a few bottles for women - men prefer stronger alcohol. I never serve any desserts or sweets.
Who visits us, whom we invite? Most often they are filmmakers and people related to the film, so actors, musicians, journalists. We also often have completely unforeseen guests, because someone just came from abroad, someone is passing through - he calls us and comes right away. Then I am doomed to super improvisation, almost for dishes made from a nail”. I put the potatoes in the oven, I'm making quick herring in sour cream with apples and the party is ready. I try to have canned herring in stock, various fish cans - most often Soviet - dried fruit, buckwheat flour.
For a smaller party for friends, I serve skewers or buckwheat pancakes. I admit, that lately I like more and more small parties for 8-10 people, when I am not only a hostess - but I can also participate in conversations, sit, rest in a nice company.
BB - Do you have a favorite house?, where in your opinion are the nicest parties?
WH - I like to come to pp the most. Morgensternów.
There is always a very nice atmosphere there, the kitchen is very simple, at the same time - a great variety of dishes served effectively and with an idea. The parties at Wanda Falkowska's are also funny and inventive.
BB - Last question, does your husband help you in organizing parties? WH - Of course. We prepare all events - and those for ten people and one hundred - only by ourselves, the two of us.