For the Coziest Dinner Table, Skip the Serving Platters

This season, we're taking our most treasured cookware from the kitchen to the dinner table, with help from our friends at Le Creuset. Handcrafted in France since 1925, Le Creuset's enameled cast-iron pieces—from their timeless Dutch Ovens to their trusty Signature Skillets—come in a slew of bright, bold colors and are durable enough to last a lifetime (or two).

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If there's one thing that's almost universally true of living in New York City, it's this: Finding an apartment with an open, spacious kitchen is like finding a chocolate croissant at your favorite bakery after the morning rush (extremely unlikely, if not impossible). After six years and three rentals, I've still yet to turn up anything with more than a closed-off, galley-style kitchen—at least within my budget, anyway.

That's why, as much as I love the idea of amassing a collection of delicate handmade platters, cake stands in every color, vintage wooden serving boards, and the like, I mainly have to stick to the essentials. For me, that primarily means cookware: a large stockpot, a few frying pans in a range of sizes, a good wok, two cast-iron skillets (one for meat, one for veg), an extra-sturdy Dutch oven, a baking dish or two, and sheet pans—all my must-haves for getting a delicious meal on the table.

Whenever I host a dinner party or holiday feast, I don't reach for my (nonexistent) serveware, but rather just take whatever vessels I cooked the meal in—the more colorful and statement-making, the better, but more on that in a second—and make them a part of the table decor. The effect is cozy and communal, as if each pot, pan, and casserole dish is inviting you to sit down and enjoy the evening. Another bonus? You won't have to worry about anyone chipping, or worse, shattering, that pricey ceramic platter as it gets passed around the table. Just make sure to keep a few thick linens, trivets, and pot holders handy to protect your surfaces from the heat.

Incorporating cookware into your tablescape is even more impactful if the pieces themselves are beautiful—my favorites come from Le Creuset, the iconic French maker that's been handcrafting enameled cast-iron cookware for almost a century. Few brands are as revered or coveted by both home cooks and professional chefs, considering their cookware can go from the stovetop to the oven to the table without flinching, retain heat exceptionally well, and are designed to last a lifetime. Every one of Le Creuset's vessels is a centerpiece in its own right, thanks to their timeless design and stunning array of color options (more than 200, in fact).

Their Dutch Ovens are especially easy to take from the oven (or stove) straight to the table for a large gathering, and are versatile enough to make a range of dishes. They're available in two shapes—Round and Oval—so take your pick depending on how you plan to use the piece most often; both are great for frying, slow-cooking, braising, bread-baking, etc., but the Oval's wider shape leaves more room for large-format meats, like whole roast chickens or small turkeys (that extra spaces allows for more even browning).

There are plenty of colors to choose from here (I've always been a fan of their original glowy-orange "Flame" hue), but this fall I've got my eye on the deep blue-green "Artichaut" and rich gray "Oyster" options. If your go-to palette is more cool and neutral, a collection of pieces all in "White" would make an equally bold choice for your holiday table, plus it'll make the food really pop.

A cast-iron skillet and saucepan also transfers easily from the kitchen to the table (you often see restaurants serving up appetizers, like macaroni and cheese, in a skillet), and they're easy to cut slices or take spoonfuls from without damaging the interior. I'm a big fan of serving skillet desserts at dinner parties, since they usually require just dumping the batter into the pan, baking it, and plopping it right on the table while it's still warm.

The Le Creuset 9-inch Signature Skillet is a go-to for this—the rimmed edges and virtually nonstick surface work perfectly for most skillet cookies, brownies, and even cakes. I'm looking forward to serving this Apple Dump Cake throughout the fall alongside homemade caramel sauce, which calls for a heavy-bottomed saucepan, like the one from Le Creuset, to pull off (in addition to sweeter sauces, their saucepan is also perfect for savory numbers, like gravies and béchamel).

No matter what cookware you have in your own kitchen, the most important thing is what you make in it and who you share it with—so pick a few recipes, invite some friends over, and settle in for a delicious evening.

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Our friends at Le Creuset have been making tried-and-true cookware using their ultra-durable enameled cast iron since 1925. Whether you're buying your very first Dutch Oven or passing down a Signature Skillet to the next generation, Le Creuset's extensive lineup of cookware and bakeware features must-have staples for every home cook—and are all guaranteed to last a lifetime.