In New York, everything thrives on the single notion that it is the greatest place on earth to fulfill every dream, desire and life goal – even if the goal is to indulge your senses in the diverse lands of the food scene and eat until you can’t eat anymore. It is a utopia of creativity, of sophisticated delivery and an unprecedented sense of style and while many may say New York City is the foundation for greatness – the very meaning behind an ultimate existence – others may claim that the foundation for greatness migrates from other cities, planting its seed of feasibility in what we know as ‘The City that Never Sleeps.’
If three meals a day is the society norm for living a happy life and fulfilling all of the dreams in the Concrete Jungle, then Jessica Phillips—who made her Broadway debut in Scarlett Pimpernel and plays A.D.A. Pippa Cox on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit—is beyond content. While appreciating the performing arts world that makes New York so exclusive, Phillips is also a food enthusiast – a true believer in food and its impact on productivity, life and plain ol’ happiness. “I am a grazer, for sure. I am in love with breakfast, although my favorite food choice for the morning is Greek yogurt – it just really sets the tone for the day. And while I graze throughout the day, picking here and there without sitting down for a large lunch – usually a salad or trail mix on the run- I look forward to my dinner experience at a fine restaurant in the heart of the city,” says Phillips.
A Worcester native and Worcester Academy Alumni, Phillips is a versatile personality looking for the next great meal, Chef or dining element that will give her the best social experience. “I don’t come from a cooking generation. My family was the average middle American family with the average middle American diet – cereal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and meat, potatoes and veggies for dinner,” says Phillips. The American diet style of cooking may have impacted Phillips’ culinary future. “I am a terrible cook,” she laughs. “My kids have coined this phrase among the family that when I could, I am making ‘Hobo dinners.’ Honestly, if I have some squash, some cheese and some ground turkey, I just cook it all up, put it together and that’s it. Even if they don’t go well together, I put it all together and make my famous Hobo meal. So, while my husband and my two teenage boys are trying to eat this disgusting concoction I made for dinner, we turn it into a great ten to fifteen minutes of connection time.”
“For me, the social impact of eating is the greatest thing. Especially in New York City, where you can connect with strangers at any venue and spread out your dining experience at different locations. Appetizers at one place, main course at another and ultimately, dessert at some new trendy place. I have a lot of foodie friends who love to dine out and appreciate great five-star restaurants and that allows me to experience those things. It’s incredible what is available on the food scene in New York,” says Phillips. “The best part of it all is that my husband, Tad Wilson, works at this incredible place across from Carnegie Hall: Trattoria Dell’Arte, and it is amazing, but even though having a great wine and dine night out in New York is incredible, I prefer to host social gathering in my home.”
Creating a welcoming atmosphere of hospitality and comfort is the preferred style of dining for Phillips. “Gathering around my kitchen island and eating finger foods while enjoying a nice glass of Pinot, is my ideal way of spending time with friends and family while eating. The greatest moments always come from those times. We like to eat foods that make us feel good and clean eating is a big part of our daily lives, but that doesn’t mean that we won’t make some amazing dishes for our guests,” she says. “I am pretty great at making guacamole. I mean, who doesn’t love a good avocado? Meatballs are easy to eat and they are a house favorite. We use different meats, like pork, lamb and spinach and even fill them with apple and cheese,” says Phillips. “Dips, are another huge favorite of ours at social gatherings. Tad can make some serious dip.”
And while Phillips enjoys the largeness of the city and all of its sophisticated offerings, she ultimately enjoys the disconnection from the world and the comfort of her own home when digging up her inner foodie. “Disconnecting from phones, PCs and tablets to enjoy a good meal and laugh with family is ideal. There is nothing greater than that connection. New York gives me options and that is what I love about it. I can disconnect and forget about being in a city so large – with an endless list of things to do – and just hang out with my husband and my sons and enjoy some meatballs and guacamole.”