It’s that season when EBONY’s Sensory Soirée comes to New York City for a sensory journey celebrating the vibrant flavors of Louisville, Kentucky. Attendees will be treated to an array of dishes that showcase the cuisine, allowing them to savor its bold flavors and comforting aromas. In partnership with Louisville Tourism, the event will bring the spirit, culture, and creativity of Louisville to New York City with the third annual Sensory Soirée, an afternoon designed to give guests a taste of the city through all five senses.
The curated experience will highlight Louisville’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene, and renowned culinary and bourbon traditions. Sensory Soirée isn’t just an event; it’s a chance to connect with the heart of Louisville, celebrating its culture while getting closer to the community. By appealing to all the senses, Adrienne Cole, Co-Founder of The House of Marigold, is offering a full range of tastes at the event.
Establishing Marigold Catering Co. in 2019 gave husband-and-wife duo Kris and Adrienne Cole the opportunity to share their love of service and culinary talents with the community. Opening The House of Marigold was the next step to bring their talents together.
“The House of Marigold is really an extension of my heart,” Adrienne Cole told EBONY. “It’s about creating a place where people feel welcomed, seen, and celebrated through food, design, and experience. Taking that next step felt natural, but also very personal.”
For Cole, her advocacy for culinary arts and hospitality can be a powerful outlet of connection and celebration. “My journey into The House of Marigold really grew out of what we built with Marigold Catering Co., but also from a deeper place,” Cole told EBONY. “Catering allowed us to be part of so many meaningful moments in people’s lives, and over time I realized I wanted to create something that could live every day—not just for events, but as a space people could walk into and feel that same care and intention.”
She envisions any space she curates food for as an extension of her values, where food and design come together to create a welcoming atmosphere.
“To me, the elegance and sophistication are about intention,” Cole said. “It’s not about being over the top—it’s about how something feels. It’s the details, the way a table is set, the way a guest is greeted, the way food is presented. I want everything to feel elevated, but still warm and approachable.”
With a deep commitment to culinary arts and hospitality, Cole sees the Sensory Soirée as an opportunity to share meaningful moments like those she experienced growing up.
“I was raised watching my grandmother cook everything from scratch, and some of my most meaningful memories with my father were centered around food—especially him on the grill,” she said. “So when we talk about seasonal comfort food, it’s really about creating dishes that remind people of home—of family, of care, of being gathered around the table. That’s the heart of The House of Marigold. And I always think about my mother, Gayle Gay, and her ability to bring love into even the simplest dishes. That stays with me in everything we do.”