Meet Lydia Gouhin and Amanda Paulsen | SUEH Supper Club Co-Founders

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lydia Gouhin and Amanda Paulsen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lydia & Amanda, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
SUEH, short for Show Up Empty Handed, grew out of our shared love for hosting, cooking, and creating spaces that make people feel something. We’ve always been the friends throwing dinner parties that somehow turn into productions. At one point, we each somehow ended up with fresh bluefin tuna and, separately, hosted mini omakase nights for friends at our dining tables.

The idea for SUEH started during the LA fires in January 2025 when Amanda was temporarily evacuated and stayed with Lydia in Venice. From the water carafe by the bed to the comforting vibe to help Amanda feel at home, it was clear we shared the same instinct for hosting. That night, we started talking about building something more intentional. We wanted to share these experiences not just with our friends but with new people too. We knew if we were going to cook, host, design, and dream at the level we envisioned, we had to start selling tickets.

“Show up Empty Handed” is part guideline, part permission slip. Your only job is to show up! Our goal is to create experiences that feel transportive and connected through food.

We are still getting started, and each dinner teaches us something new. Putting something creative out into the world always feels a little vulnerable, but the support has meant everything. What started as a conversation during a chaotic week has turned into real gatherings with real people, and we’re so excited to keep growing this.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We do everything ourselves. Cooking, florals, vibe-setting, back-end admin, photography, playlists, menus, and ticket sales. Maybe it’s because we’re both detail oriented (er…control freaks) and love the creative process from start to finish. But mostly, it’s because we care about how every piece of our supper club feels.

Each supper club is shaped by the season. For example, our recent Sardine Summer event was a garden party with grazing tables, complete with tinned fish boards, homemade focaccia, flavored butters, natural wines, and an olive oil tasting.

At the beginning, we weren’t sure if people would actually buy tickets. It’s vulnerable to ask people to pay for something that’s both personal and homemade. But the response was even better than we hoped. It turns out people want a reason to be together on a random Sunday afternoon and eat something delicious.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For us, the most important part of any trip is obviously food. Here’s what we would do if our best friend came to town (let’s say it’s a Sunday):

We’d begin the day with a beach walk in Santa Monica, then grab coffee and a pastry from Bread + Butter, a charming Tasmanian-owned spot that has insanely delicious baked goods. Once we’re ready for a second breakfast, we’d head up Ocean Park to Layla Bagel, where they’re always doing something wildly good and seasonal like this summer’s “Pre-Jam” which features nectarines and strawberries.

Next up: a slow lap through Erewhon, pretending it’s like a free museum visit. From there, we’d hit the Brentwood Farmers Market for weekend staples and inspiration. Then it’s back to Venice to treasure hunt at The Mart before a late lunch at the taco stand outside Whole Foods on Lincoln or “New Bootleg Taco Stand” on yelp.

If Bill Todd is playing jazz in the park (Hotchkiss is a usual spot), we’re there. We’d wrap the day with a sunset stroll and window shopping down Abbot Kinney and dinner at Si! Mon. The Afro-Caribbean Shrimp Dumplings with Coconut Rice are a must try.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We want to shout out Los Angeles, but more specifically, the farmers markets that fill our weekends and shape our menus. From the chef’s market in Santa Monica on Wednesdays to the rows of produce and live music at Mar Vista on Sundays, the growers behind these stands and energy within the markets inspire everything we cook. There’s also an energy in LA’s creative food scene that pushes us forward. Watching pop-ups, chefs, and food creators blur the lines between restaurant, dinner party, and art installation keeps us excited and motivated.

Instagram: @suehsupperclub

Other: The link to join our guest list can be found in our insta bio!

Image Credits
Amanda Gillian Photography