Zooey Deschanel has more than Hollywood on her mind. The actress and former cabaret singer is so invested in food equity and access that she and her partners are creating apps, home hydroponic systems, and more to broaden access to good food. “People make better, healthier, more joyful decisions about food when they’re more informed,” she says. But she’s never too busy to have dinner parties. Here’s who she’s hosting.
SAG-AFTRA members are currently on strike; as part of the strike, union actors are not promoting their film and TV projects. This interview was conducted prior to the strike.
You get to entertain whomever you want, real or fictional, alive or dead. Who would it be?
Truman Capote, because we know from his writing what a great storyteller he was. Louis Armstrong—one of my favorite singers. He’s an incredible musician and seems like someone who would have such a joyful presence. Audrey Hepburn—I’ve always wanted to meet her. And there’s a grandfather I never met, from Lyon, one of the food capitals of the world. Plus Jonathan, my boyfriend, because after the party I’d want someone to talk to about all these amazing people.
What is your guest list philosophy?
I love to invite people who have something but not everything in common. It’s also important to have some outgoing people in case there is someone who doesn’t talk as easily. And somebody with a good loud laugh like Armstrong.
Where would you host and what’s the vibe?
We love having people over to the house and entertaining in different rooms. I collect linens and table decor. We’d use mismatched china with glasses of different colors—pinks and blues and greens. And a small bouquet of flowers, maybe dahlias and tulips on the table.
How about the menu?
A whole Dover sole or branzino that is filleted at the table, broccolini, roasted potatoes, and an arugula salad with walnuts, Parmesan, and a lemon vinaigrette. And a big batch of fresh popovers because people tend to eat five. Both Jonathan and I grew up with mothers who made them, only his family called them Yorkshire pudding. And plenty of Champagne, rosé, or Sauvignon Blanc to drink.
You helped create Merryfield, an app that makes “better for you” brands more accessible, and started a company called Lettuce Grow, which allows people to grow veggies with an indoor “farmstand.” Will the arugula be homegrown?
The Farmstand is a hydroponic device that fits in your kitchen. Ours grows so much I can barely eat all of the food! So, yes, the arugula will come from my Farmstand. We started the company after my ex-husband and I asked ourselves, Why aren’t people growing more produce at home? It’s because they don’t have time, and they don’t have space. So we started the company as a way of encouraging people to eat healthier and save money