This article was written by Carla McDonald and originally posted on The Salonniere on October 28, 2015.
Download the press release announcing the honor here.

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome.

Doll, you know we hate to gossip but, sometimes, we just have to make an exception. Come close and let me whisper in your ear the names of The Salonniere 100, the 100 best party hosts in the United States. These are the fête-fabulous folks who bend over backwards to entertain with such flair that you’d be wise to move a mountain or two to attend one of their soirées…that is, if you’re fortunate enough to be invited. To compile The Salonniere 100, we asked more than 1,000 of the cognoscenti across all 50 states for the names of the party hosts in their city who entertain with unparalleled skill and grace. Among those queried were society reporters and other members of the media, social figures, philanthropists, dignitaries, arts, business and non-profit leaders, and other in-the-know influencers. Those nominated most often were then reviewed by an independent group of social authorities in the cities represented and members of The Salonniere’s editorial team.

New York’s Lela Rose prepares her suspended dining table for a dinner party

Among the well-known party givers on the list are Lela Rose, Muriel Brandolini and Dennis Basso in New York; Eva Chow, Lulu Powers and Alex Hitz in Los Angeles; Lynn Wyatt and Becca Cason Thrash in Houston; and, in Washington, D.C., President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, whose private and unofficial dinner parties are the White House invitations prized most.

Eva Chow at home in Los Angeles

Many on The Salonniere 100 – including Pamela Joyner (San Francisco), Cindy Rachofsky (Dallas), Alli Achtmeyer (Boston), and Jean and Steve Case (Washington, D.C.) – are also among the nation’s top fundraisers, adding tens of millions of dollars annually to the coffers of U.S. charities. We’re not surprised. Like the great salonnieres of the 17th and 18th century, skilled party hosts know how to leverage social gatherings to build meaningful connections, kick-start important conversations and effect change.

San Francisco’s Michael Purdy, Jay Jeffers and Vanessa Getty with interior designer Jeffrey Alan Marks

Others on The Salonniere 100 include Allison Sarofim (New York), who hosts an annual Halloween bash with a guest list rivaled only by her attention to detail; Sheikha Rima al-Sabah (Washington, D.C.), the powerhouse wife of the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the United States; Michael Purdy and Jay Jeffers (San Francisco), who are known for their wine country cocktail parties; and Patricia Barnstable Brown (Louisville), whose Kentucky Derby party has been called one of the ten best parties in the world. Bunky Cushing (Chicago), who passed away earlier this month and was known as the “Squire of Chicago,” earned a spot on The Salonniere 100 and remains on the list in memoriam.

Felicia and Herb Gray of Charlotte 

While The Salonniere 100 is diverse across a variety of factors, all on the list share a rare gift for creating warm, gracious and memorable experiences for others. Grab a glass of champagne and join us as we toast the nation’s crème de la crème in entertaining for the work they do to bring joy and opportunity to those lucky enough to be on their guest list. The Salonniere 100Aspen 1.    Leonard Lauder 2.    Amy and John Phelan Atlanta 3.    Ginny Brewer 4.    Anne Quatrano and Cliff Harrison 5.    Annette Joseph 6.    Danielle RollinsAustin* 7.    Julie Blakeslee 8.    John Hogg and David Garza Boston 9.    Alli Achtmeyer 10.  Ashley Bernon 11.  Elizabeth and Peter Georgantas Charleston 12.  Sarah and Ozey Horton 13.  Lee Manigault Charlotte 14.   Felicia and Herb Gray Chicago 15.   Toni Canada 16.   Bunky Cushing (in memoriam) 17.   Inese and Richard Driehaus 18.   Ikram Goldman Dallas 19.   Gene Jones 20.   Cindy Rachofsky 21.   Nancy Rogers 22.   Kimberly Schlegel Whitman Denver 23.   Paul Laurie 24.   Christine Vazquez Detroit 25.   Chuck Bennett 26.   Van Conway 27.   Linda Dresner 28.   Nicole Eisenberg Houston 29.   Becca Cason Thrash 30.   Phoebe Tudor 31.   Lynn Wyatt Los Angeles 32.   Maria and Bill Bell 33.   Eva Chow 34.   Alex Hitz 35.   Bridget Gless Keller 36.   Lisa McRee 37.   Lulu Powers 38.   Stephanie Shafran 39.   Sutton Stracke 40.   Steve Tisch Louisville 41.   Patricia Barnstable Brown 42.   Babs and Lee Robinson Miami 43.   Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz 44.   Darlene and Jorge Perez 45.   Alina Shriver Nashville 46.   Sylvia Roberts New York 47.   Dennis Basso 48.   Muriel Brandolini 49.   Athena Calderone 50.   Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos 51.   John Demsey 52.   Lauren Santo Domingo 53.   George Farias 54.   Shirin von Wulffen Fekkai 55.   Cornelia Guest 56.   Mariska Hargitay 57.   Ashley McDermott 58.   Anne Hearst and Jay McInerney 59.   Marcia and Richard Mishaan 60.   Mary Kathryn Navab 61.   Lela Rose 62.   Daniel Benedict and Andrew Saffir 63.   Allison Sarofim 64.   Jamie Tisch New Orleans 65.   Beverly Reese Church 66.   Sara Ruffin Costello 67.   Frances Gray Fayard 68.   Julia Reed Newport 69.   Pamela Fielder and David Ford 70.   Bettie Bearden and Jonathan Pardee Palm Beach 71.   Annie Falk 72.   Audrey Gruss 73.   Kara Ross 74.   Hilary Geary Ross 75.   Tom Quick San Antonio 76.   Alice Carrington Foultz San Francisco 77.   Susan Mactavish Best 78.   Ken Fulk 79.   Vanessa Getty 80.   Denise Hale 81.   Pamela Joyner 82.   Jillian Manus 83.   Jay Jeffers and Michael Purdy 84.   Charlotte Mailliard Shultz 85.   Alexis Swanson Traina Seattle 86.   Cassandra LaValle 87.   JJ McKay Washington, D.C. 88.   Sheikha Rima al-Sabah 89.   Ambassador Gérard Araud 90.   Katherine and David Bradley 91.   Ashley Taylor Bronczek 92.   Jean and Steve Case 93.   Kay Kendall and Jack Davies 94.   Robert Higdon and David Deckelbaum 95.   April and John Delaney 96.   Mary and Robert Haft 97.   President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama 98.   Elizabeth and Jeffrey Powell 99.   Susanna Quinn 100. Sir Peter and Lady Westmacott * Austin’s Carla McDonald, founder of The Salonniere, is honored to have earned a spot on The Salonniere 100 but has opted to relinquish her place and welcome another party host to the list.