“You’d fill every corner,” Shivesh says with a half-smile, rearranging a plate. “You’d add flowers everywhere and light candles in every corner.” Kritika laughs, “And you’d focus on the food and let the desserts do the talking.” He shrugs. “Someone has to.”
That familiar push and pull is the heartbeat of how they entertain. For Kritika Khurana and Shivesh Bhatia, hosting is an art form passed down through their cultures. Opening their doors at this time of year comes naturally to the two best friends, where good food and a warm energy are always in focus. For Manifest’s October digital cover, The Art of Hosting, we spent an afternoon with Kritika and Shivesh talking about how they set up a party, the traditions they grew up with, and what actually makes a gathering memorable.
White linen, orange flowers, and aureate candleholders set the scene alongside a spread of party bites—ranging from mini burgers to chipotle-inspired treats and desserts. Cards and poker chips sat off to the side, giving the setup a feel of a Diwali party in progress. One close look at the room, and you could easily catch glimpses of them in it: from Kritika’s love for a beautifully styled space to Shivesh’s devotion to what was on the plates.
Kritika always starts with the guest list. “Once I know who’s coming, it’s easier to plan the food, theme, and everything else around them.” From there, she builds the mood using soft lighting, a well-set table, and music—which she believes can completely make or break a party. “A thoughtfully done table can make even a simple gathering feel special. I want everyone to feel comfortable and relaxed, eat good food, and feel the warmth as soon as they walk in.” She also loves creating custom menus and writing out individual place cards by hand, simple personal touches that instantly make guests feel special and expected.
Shivesh lets the menu drive the entire evening. “Once I know what we’re going to eat, I can start thinking about how everything else should come together.” He keeps the main table minimal and inviting, letting the food take center stage. As a baker, his true focus sits at the very end of the meal. He believes a great dessert is the final impression that stays with people long after they leave. His menu naturally centers on fusion sweets—from rasmalai tres leches and gulab jamun churros to kaju katli cheesecake. “If I’m hosting, there’s almost always going to be more dessert than anyone actually needs.”
When it comes to the soundtrack of a Diwali night, neither is interested in overthinking the background music. Shivesh admits one can’t really go wrong with a little Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham—the entire album is his go-to for setting an instant, nostalgic festive mood. In fact, if they were to throw a full blowout together, a Bollywood theme would be the natural consensus.
Neither wants to spend the entire night stuck in the kitchen or running around serving. The goal is to finish the prep early so they can actually sit down with their guests. “Having the main things planned beforehand makes hosting more enjoyable,” Kritika says. “It gives you more time to actually spend with your guests.” Shivesh agrees, adding that he’s learned not to obsess over minor flaws. “It’s easy to get so caught up in making sure the food, decor, and table setting are perfect that you forget to enjoy the night yourself.”
That preference for easy, relaxed gatherings comes directly from their childhood Diwalis. Shivesh remembers his family house packed with relatives and “loads and loads of food,” with mithai at the center of every conversation. He still makes it a point to roll laddoos at home every year. “It’s as much about the process and the people around you as it is about the food itself,” he says. Kritika looks back fondly on her family puja, lighting diyas, her mother’s prasad of milk and jalebi, and the hot aloo kachoris she still looks forward to every festive season.
As they’ve grown older, they've shifted toward long, unhurried dinners with close friends and family, where people can eat, drink, and stay as long as they like. Still, Shivesh looks forward to the bigger parties Kritika throws each year. “She goes all out, and it’s always fun to be a part of something so different from my usual style.”
If the two co-hosted a Diwali party, their styles would balance each other out naturally. “The biggest difference would definitely be the decor,” he says. “Kritika loves maximalism, while I’m much more of a minimalist.” When the music turns down and the house settles, they both know the night worked without having to say it. Kritika gauges the evening by how seamlessly the energy moved through the house, while Shivesh looks at what’s left behind. Empty bowls, full hearts, and family sitting back on the sofa long past midnight mean the festive season has officially begun.
“You want people to enjoy the food, feel at home, and lose track of time,” Shivesh says. “That’s when you know you’ve done it right.”