Since the turn of the last century, people have been obsessed with lists about the rich, the connected and the famous. And occasionally the infamous. Debrett’s and the Almanach de Gotha chronicle the royals and titled nobility, Vanity Fair has their annual best dressed list, and Salonniere is making a name by listing the 100 best society hosts in the country. Town and Country magainze reviews the list also and is filled crossover glittering names. In their recent list, The Fresh Toast publisher named to Salooniere 100. JJ McKay founded and is the publisher of The Fresh Toast, but has a long history of bring people together.
The magazine says this about the publication. Salonnière means a hostess of meaningful gatherings that facilitate profound conversations to spark change in the world. We intentionally chose the feminine manifestation of this word because it represents a nurturing mind for the future, through collaboration and intuition. Salons have been taking place around the world in many forms since the 17th century and we’re continuing that tradition through digital and print publications, virtual conversations and events.
McKay co-chaired his junior/senior prom and went on to be the social chair of his fraternity. After college he started giving an annual holiday party, which has occurred every year except when he first moved to Seattle.
Social and eager to learn about people, McKay has been involved in a variety of organizations. He has been a board member of Seattle Opera, the Pilchuck School of Glass, US Bank Washington and others. He was the long-serving Chair of Mary’s Place Seattle helping them grow from a $200K budget day shelter to a $10+million budget and being the largest family shelter system in the Northwest. He was active with Tina Brown’s Women in the World and the Daily Beast under her stewardship. McKay chaired the International Middle East and North Africa International Human Rights Film Festival, which was organized by the State Department and the American Islamic Congress.
He is legendary for gathering people together for cocktail parties, dinners at his place in Seattle and other events. The criteria is to be interesting, bring a conversation to the table and be gracious. He has had billionaires, geeks, models, celebrities, politicians, firefighters and innovators all chatting it up. Of his history, he has introduced 9 couples who went on to be married.
In 2016, McKay founded The Fresh Toast to connect people to marijuana. With no publication focused on the causal or new user which represented 90% of customers, Mckay has focused on being the largest consumer voice in cannabis. Geekwire covered the launch of The Fresh Toast.
Whether hosting an après-ski party for 350 at Sundance or a book launch party for his friend Norman Lear in New York or a hoe-down in Seattle, McKay enjoys being around interesting people who are doing things.
The Fresh Toast Publisher Named to Salonniere 100
