‘Real Housewives of New York City’ Star Erin Lichy Talks Her New Cookbook, Comparisons To The Original ‘RHONY’ Cast, And Wanting To Join ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Anyone who has watched the new seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City knows that Erin Lichy has a penchant for cheese boards and Shakshuka. In her new cookbook, She’s a Host: An Unbuttoned Cookbook for Elegant Entertaining—which hit stands today—the reality star is sharing her family traditions, from delicious recipes to tips on hosting.

Lichy, who visited Decider’s studio earlier this month, said it “means a lot” to pass these traditions on to the world, especially after the passing of her father, who made several appearances throughout Season 14 and Season 15 of The Real Housewives of New York City.

“The best way to share time together is over a meal, so it was really important for me to share,” she added. “Bringing people together is really not that challenging. It seems like it’s so overwhelming to host, but there are really easy ways to do it and make it still really beautiful while not stressing out too much.”

Now seemed to be the perfect time to release a book since Lichy, like the rest of us Bravoholics, has been waiting to hear about her future on The Real Housewives of New York City, which was put on another hiatus earlier this year after the dark ending to Season 15. The long-running show—which, for more than a decade before Lichy’s tenure, starred Bravo icons like Luann de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, and Ramona Singer—has also drawn some backlash from fans who miss the original cast. Lichy, for her part, believes critics has been too hard on the next generation of RHONY. “I think that it takes a little while for a show to gel,” she said. “The comparisons are very challenging, because we’re not the same.”

When Decider caught up with Lichy, she shared more about her cookbook, where her friendships with her castmates stand currently, and her dreams of being on a future season of Dancing with the Stars. Check out the full interview below.

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DECIDER:  I’ve been going through your new cookbook, “She’s A Host,” and I’m obsessed. I know you’ve been so busy the last couple of years with RHONY, with your businesses, with being a mom of four. What made you decide to write a cookbook now?

ERIN LICHY: Honestly, someone came to me with the idea, and I thought it would be such a pleasure to share how I host so casually, but also in an elevated way and just tips and tricks. Also, these recipes are so near and dear to my heart. I just wanted to share them. 

The heart of this cookbook really is family. Your kids are featured in photos, you talk about breakfasts with your dad, family gatherings, and recipes that have been passed down to you. What does it mean to you to pass on these traditions onto the rest of the world?

It means a lot, especially with my dad’s passing. I mean, we just had people over all the time. People used to joke that our door was just a revolving door. It was just always open on Shabbat. We love community. I think especially after COVID, people realize how important community is and togetherness. The best way to share time together is over a meal, so it was really important for me to share. I think it’s something important that everybody should focus on. Bringing people together is really not that challenging. It seems like it’s so overwhelming to host, but there are really easy ways to do it and make it still really beautiful while not stressing out too much. 

I really enjoyed the “Make It Happen” sections at the end of each chapter, where you give more tips on how to enhance different gatherings. How did you come up with that idea?

Because I know that it’s hard. I have a lot of friends that are like, “How do you do this all the time? Isn’t this challenging? How do you think of the meals?” I also have sample menus in the book. I just wanted to make it easy for people. I just wanted to give them direct instruction on how to host a great brunch, host a great dinner, host a great casual weeknight, things like that. 

If you were hosting a dinner party, which three Bravolebrities would you invite and why?

Everyone asks me this. I’m going to pick different ones than I picked last time. Okay, let’s do Lisa [Hochstein] from Miami because she’s really fun. And Lisa Barlow because I love her. And Boz [Saint John]. Those three ladies. 

Million dollar question: what is your favorite recipe in the book? What should everyone try at least once?

Oh, it’s really hard. Divorced Dad Chicken. It’s so delicious. It feeds a bunch of people. It’s so easy. You can make it with really anything you have in the house, like, any veggies. It’s about the spices and about the sauce. And it just warms my heart. It’s such a good dish. 

This is probably so great for your kids to have, especially for when they get older and move out and want to recreate these recipes in their own homes.

They’re loving it. My son is a foodie. I say this all the time. Levi is such a foodie. He loves food. I love going out to different restaurants with him because you can see how much he enjoys it. I’ve been doing some videos with friends. They’ve been coming over and we’ve been cooking together, and he just sits there and eats it up. He’s like, ‘Okay, let me try that. Oh, I love when she makes it like this. Oh, you got to make the sauce like that.’ I do think he thinks it’s really cool, and I think he likes being part of it. 

Shifting gears a little bit. You were introduced to the Bravoverse in the RHONY reboot, which has sort of been in limbo for some time now. While there are a lot of fans of the show, there have been a lot of critics as well. Do you think people have been too hard on the new crew?

Yeah, I do. I was just talking about this before. I think that it takes a little while for a show to gel, you know? So yes. And the comparisons are very challenging, because we’re not the same.

I feel like people need to look at it as a completely different show. 

It’s different and New York is different. So we’re representing a different New York.

There are a lot of theories online that Bravo will move forward with a mix of OGs and newbies next season. What would you think about something like that? Is there anyone from the original cast that could seamlessly fit in with your cast?

Honestly, I trust Bravo to make the right decision. I’m not a casting expert. I don’t know. But I trust them. 

One person who is definitely not coming back is Brynn. Have you spoken to her at all since last season ended? What do you think about her decision to leave?

I spoke to her a little bit in the beginning, and I do think she made the right decision. 

Rebecca Minkoff also won’t be back. Where does your friendship with her currently stand?

We’re fine. I’ll call her. I’ve got to call her. I’ll call her. I love her. I do love her. I will give her a call. 

I know there was a little tension at the reunion, but I believe the last I heard you were working on things?

Yeah, I think there was just a little bit of a misunderstanding and confusion on both sides and frustration on both sides, and something that was important to her during a time in my life, it just wasn’t important to me. I was going through my own stuff and looking back, I can understand where we didn’t cross paths and we didn’t see eye to eye. But I will call her because I do care about her. 

You’ve done two seasons of reality TV at this point. Are there any misconceptions about filming a reality show that you are able to clear up?

Yeah, people think, I think a lot of times, that things are produced. It’s just not like that. You just really live your authentic life and you kind of forget that you’re on a show, to be quite honest, which is a little scary. It’s actually like the weird part of it all, but that’s the truth. It’s really not produced at all. 

That kind of reminds me of last season when people were up in arms over the prank.

Prank-gate. I am one of five. Like, that’s what we do. My brother was doing it to me the other night. He came over for dinner, and he was like messing with me that Abe was playing World of Warcraft in his office. I’m like, “He is? Are you kidding me? He said, “He’s busy, he’s not helping with the kids.” He was going on and on about it, and I believed him. It’s only when you believe that the prankster stops pranking. 

Well, maybe there will be more pranks to come. 

No, no, no. Those days are gone. 

You just had your fourth baby, and your good friend Lindsay Hubbard just had her first. What has it been like getting to share this experience with her, a fellow Bravolebrity?

So much fun. Honestly, so much fun. I really loved our time [together]. My older kids went to sleepaway camp this summer, so it was just me, her and her babies the summer when she would come out east. So that was really fun. It’s cute. It’s interesting going through it with somebody else who’s on reality TV. It’s a different experience. 

She’s apparently going to be on In the City, that Summer House spinoff. Any chance we’ll see you there, too? 

No, I don’t think so.

Well, people wanted her to come on RHONY.

I wanted her to come on RHONY.

Listen, there’s still time. We have BravoCon coming up and you, Jessel, and Sai will be there. What are you most excited about? 

It’s a really fun time. The energy is unbelievable. It’s a little chaotic, but meeting all the fans and having them connect to different things that you’ve shared on the show is a very special experience, honestly. 

We are loving Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition. If you could swap places with any Real Housewife, who would it be and why? 

Oh, that’s a tough one. I mean, I’ll take Heather Dubrow’s house and all her money.

I will say we asked Heather the same question a few months ago, and she said she’d switch with you.

She did? Okay, we’re switching. I mean, I just want all of Heather’s money and all of her homes. Like, can I just have that, Heather?

As a part-time Hamptons resident and full-time foodie, we have to ask: have you tried the viral chicken salad at Round Swamp that Bethenny Frankel raved about? What are your Round Swamp recommendations? 

I have. It’s not that good. It’s like baby food. It’s too mashed up. It’s like literally cream cheese. I think she’s over it. Didn’t she say it’s done? I like Round Swamp but that’s just not what I would get from there.

Do you have any other recommendations in the Hamptons?

Oh, my god. Everything’s amazing. Provisions, that’s my spot. The cafe at Provisions is excellent. What else do I like? Amber Waves has the best wrap. Their chicken salad wrap is amazing. It has more life to it. Yeah. Have you tried the chicken salad at Round Swamp?

You’ve done reality TV, real estate, your own Mezcal, a cookbook. What’s the next thing you’d like to check off your bucket list? 

Dancing With The Stars. 

Who would you want to be paired with? 

I don’t know because I don’t watch it. Is there something wrong with me? I just need to do it. I don’t know. Who should I want? Teach me.

I think Val Chmerkovskiy would be good. He’s with Alix Earle. 

I want Val. That’s who I want. Val, call me.

Val or Mark Ballas. 

Can we just talk about Whitney [Leavitt’s] “Shake Ya Ass” dance? I saw that on my phone. She’s amazing. I’m very impressed with her.

Have you seen any other clips? Is there anyone else you’ve had fun watching this season? 

I think Alix Earle is doing a good job. I think she’s crushing [it]. She seems more of a stiff person, so for her to be able to move, not like her personality, but she’s very narrow and tiny and she likes moving. She’s doing it. I like it. 

Well you heard it here first. Erin Lichy for Dancing with the Stars season 35.

Yes. I want to do it. I might break my leg. But I will try. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.