GOURMET COUPLES

Guidelines for Party-Goers and Host Couples

GENERAL

Both the planning parties and the dinner parties should be enjoyable social events for all. These guidelines are intended to help everyone understand and accept some proven means to this happy result. Please read them over, and keep them handy for future reference.

Remember that you are guests in the home of the host couple.

Host couples should advise guests of any limitations of their home, kitchen equipment, etc., as well as any restrictions such as no-smoking areas.

Attendance at the planning party is important and expected, although there may be an occasion when you cannot attend the planning party but want to attend the dinner party. In that event, you will be assigned a course by the couples who attend the planning party.

At least once a year, each couple must host a planning party or dinner party in their home. It is not necessary to hold a sit-down dinner; if more convenient, and agreeable to the party group, a buffet-style dinner or patio party is fine.

The host couple does not share in the expenses of the dinner.

No “store-bought” foods should be used except in extreme emergency. Normally all dishes should be made “from scratch.”

PLANNING PARTIES

The quarterly planning parties are on Sundays. In the spring/summer months, they are at 8:00 pm and in the fall/winter months at 4:00 pm.

Each participating couple should bring an appetizer or dessert and a drink of their choice to the planning party.

The first hour of the planning party is for general socializing and munching. Then the dinner party groups break out into separate areas to plan their individual parties. Each dinner party host couple will assemble their group and, for the next half-hour or so, each group will mutually arrive at a theme, menu and time for their party. Although the date of the dinner parties will have been previously announced, if all couples agree, another date may be chosen. 

Participants should come to the planning party with favorite cookbooks or recipes and some ideas about the kind of party they would like to have. However, the details of theme, menu, date, and time should be worked out to the agreement of all. Normally, each couple brings 2 bottles of wine to the dinner party. With the agreement of participating couples, one couple may be charged with bringing the wine and the cost will be borne by all of the participating couples except for the host couple. Each participant should have made notes before the discussion breaks up, of which ingredients (or wine) they are expected to bring, and the date, time, and location of the dinner party.

Dinner party host couples should bring directions to their home to the planning party, which is given to each couple in their group. The host couple should also mail to each participating couple the form provided by the Club which describes the theme of the dinner, the menu and the names and telephone numbers of all participating couples.

During the Planning Party session:

•  Discuss whether you want a regular dinner, brunch, luncheon, picnic, etc.—and whether you want to schedule it for a Saturday, Sunday, or even Friday. Anything is possible, if the group agrees.

•  Use imagination in suggesting themes and planning menus—try something new, exotic, and unusual.

•  Each couple will agree to be responsible for at least one course, depending on size of the group.

DINNER PARTIES

It is important for everyone to arrive promptly at the host couple’s home for the dinner party; for those who are bringing appetizers, it is doubly important. Be sure to bring your receipts for ingredients you purchase so that costs can be accurately calculated and distributed. Also bring a copy of the recipe you have prepared for each participating member plus an extra one to be sent to the newsletter editor.

The host couple for the dinner party is expected to provide cooking equipment, serving pieces, and tableware, except for specific items someone else has agreed to bring. The hosts will also provide moderate amounts of spices, condiments, cooking oil, etc, and coffee or tea for after dinner. making these calculations is provided).

At the end of dinner, before anyone leaves, the host couple is responsible for recording everyone’s expenses, calculating the total cost per couple (excluding themselves) and determining how much each couple owes or is owed, to equalize expenses among the other participating couples. (A Form to simplify

The first hour or so of the dinner party is usually spent in preparing and consuming the appetizers and wine, and in general socializing. The preparation of the other parts of the dinner should begin. Part of the enjoyment and benefits of the dinner party is in everyone helping prepare all the dishes, each under the direction of the couple who brought the ingredients.

When the dinner is finished and everyone has had plenty of time to sip their coffee or tea, clean-up time begins. Again, this is the responsibility of the entire group. In some limited cases, the host couple decides they want to clean up themselves. However, unless they make that specific request, all the participating couples are expected to help in the clean up.

Any food left over should be divided among people who want it. Be sure to take home with you any dishes or appliances you brought.

The dinner group should vote on a “best recipe” at the end of the evening. This information, along with the menu and copies of the recipes, should be mailed to the newsletter editors, no later than the Monday following the dinner party. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT SO THAT THE NEWSLETTER CAN BE PRINTED IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Things to remember concerning the Dinner Party:

•  The cooking is cooperative, but so is the clean up; unless directed otherwise by the host couple, please leave their home in the same order as when you arrived.

•  Couples must bring the ingredients and take the chief responsibility for preparing the dish agreed upon at the planning party; the menu must not be changed without agreement of the group.

•  If your plans change, it is your responsibility to find a substitute and notify the host couple.   If a substitute cannot be found, you will be expected to bring your contribution to the host couple’s home before the dinner party.

•  While the cost of the dinner is shared, you are expected to contribute small amounts of spices, sugar, an egg, etc. (Don’t ask the group to share the cost of a pint of walnut oil if your recipe requires only a tablespoonful).

•  While wine is the usual drink at these parties, other drinks may be appropriate — such as beer with a crab feast, punch and/or eggnog for holidays, etc. Mixed drinks are generally avoided but may be appropriate as part of the menu — such as Margaritas at a Mexican theme dinner party or mint juleps at a Kentucky Derby dinner party.

•  As guests in the host couple’s home, please don’t help yourself to food or drink that is not obviously intended for consumption by the group. Also, if you inadvertently soil or damage anything, expect to pay for its cleaning or replacement.

• Outside guests, including house guests may be included only if agreeable to the host couple (asks at least one day in advance). When included, guests must pay their share of expenses and help with the work.

  Back