This photo literally makes my heart so happy. So, so happy.
It was a few months ago when we were deep, deep, deep in construction that I had the idea. I’d heard about people going to and from book clubs, and while that’s nice for them, I just simply can’t. Honestly, who has time to read? Am I doing something wrong?
Ah, that’s right. I’m focusing any ‘free’ time I have on cooking. Hence, the reason why cooking club was born.
See, I believe there are two types of people in this world. People who are obsessed with food. And people who are not. I am the former, obviously. Recipes and cookbooks and Food Network and entertaining, I could gobble it all up always. I wake up thinking about breakfast. As soon as I’m done with breakfast, I begin to think about lunch. And so on and so forth. It’s a never ending cycle. I will text M mid-day to discuss dinner ideas and he always responds ‘C, I haven’t even had lunch yet.’
Your point?
Obviously, he is the latter. A less obsessed with food person. That’s OK. He’s not part of the club.
But the women in the photo above? They totally are. A mix of family and dear friends and food bloggers that I hand picked to go on this little adventure with me. And I could not be more thrilled with them all.
I received interest about the club via social media, so I thought I’d share the low down, should you be interested in starting your own club. The rules are as follows, ahem:
- Show up. Seriously. The date goes out (one night every other month), and you show up. End of story. Leave your kids with someone from the street. I don’t care. (Tina, we made an exception for you!)
- For each meeting there is one head chef. This person determines the feel for the evening. For example, Catherine began with her authentic homemade guacamole, so it was Mexican night for us. Olé.
- I then assign the remaining items. I don’t tell people what to make; rather I split it up so everyone is in charge of an appetizer, side dish, main course, dessert, all divided up appropriately.
- I don’t cook. Weird, right? As the hostess, I set it all up, including the table, and provide a festive drink.
- The head chef cooks her dish in front of us; the rest bring their dish ready to eat.
- Everyone takes turns explaining what they brought, why they choose it, any special meaning, etc.
- Everyone brings a printed recipe of what they made. Or hand written, as Catherine did old school style. Love!
- Photographs are taken for bloggers to share.
- And lastly, you’ve got to end the evening with a bang as a hostess. Like, getting a call near the end of dinner to pick up your husband who has been pulled over for an unpaid (yet, it actually was paid) speeding ticket from North Dakota back in 2012. (With B!) And they wouldn’t. let. him. go.
Yep. That happened. The night got a tad dramatic, but we will never forget it. Julie, thanks for your help on that one…
Next theme is Fall comfort food; think football games, cozy sweaters, good pinot noirs. Can’t wait to get together again. The smiles in the photo say it all.
C
P.S. Want more details about the evening? Beth walks you through a pretty awesome recap, here.
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Courtney
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What an awesome idea!!! I read more than I cook, but neither would warrant joining a club… maybe when my newborn is no longer newborn 🙂
Aline recently posted…T’s birth story
It’s funny Courtney because I wonder about the people who don’t think of food like we do, and my thought process is “we all need to eat!” But some people think of food as fuel – and I feel sorry for those people.
Looking forward to the next one!
Biz recently posted…I thought yesterday was Friday
Totally agree! I can’t imagine viewing food as simply fuel.
#9. Dead. Running to the husband’s rescue for illegal activity sounds eerily familiar! 😉
I had no idea you started this! Timing is funny too, I started a monthly “supper club” ie- game night and wine with some locals. It’s so tough to keep everyone together in the winter, so I suppose once a month we can all make it work, right?
Tia G. recently posted…Weekend prep
I am TOTALLY obsessed with food. Eating it, not cooking it.
Twitter: girlgonemom
says:
I fall under the food obsessed category. I love to eat!
This sounds like a lot of fun. My husband does the cooking for the most part.
Twitter: _Everyday_Life_
says:
I love to eat as much as I love to read. may be why I’m heavy.
What a fun idea! This sounds like something I would totally love and it looks like you are having an amazing time! I need to find a cooking club in my town to join!
Jeannette recently posted…Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe
What a fabulous idea! This is something my friends and I would love to do.
Twitter: TamaraCamPhoto
says:
Mm.. fall comfort food. That will be a great night.
I love every aspect of food and think this is awesome.
Tamara recently posted…Pumpkin Apple Protein Smoothie.
Twitter: bonbonrosegirls
says:
What a fun idea! I would love to do something like that with a group of my friends!
Kristin recently posted…Halloween Popcorn Mix
What a great club! And you don’t cook as a hostess? Awesome! I totally need to host something like this!
Twitter: ckrusch
says:
Love the idea! Will maybe try something like that around my town! Thank you for sharing it! Food and Friends: you can’t go wrong!
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Twitter: goldenstatemom
says:
I am so glad you shared this! I have never heard about this idea, but it sounds so fun for girlfriends! Love themed parties… and no husbands and no kids– omg it’s perfect!
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Twitter: Fidoseofreality
says:
Sounds like a great thing to do but I’d get thrown out lol – I am the world’s worst cook.
Carol Bryant recently posted…Tips to Get Rid of Dog Odors #Petiquette
I love to cook. What a fun idea. Perfect for a girls night!
Twitter: censiej
says:
I need to find a club like this. How fun!
Censie recently posted…Drop Biscuit #Recipe and Campbell’s® Homestyle Light Soup
Twitter: loisaltermark
says:
This sounds like so much fun. I’m definitely a foodie – but I only like the eating part, not the cooking!
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…4 luxurious places to recharge!
That’s fun that you get to end the night as a hostess. I think it sounds great!
I need to find a club like this!
I was involved in one years ago and it was so much fun but when I moved here I didn’t hook up with one.
Thanks for reminding me that I need to get back into this!
Heather lawrence recently posted…Thanksgiving: A roundup of our 15 favourite dishes
What a fun idea and reason to get together. Oddly I do like to cook but don’t much of it. But if meeting with friends I’d be inspired.
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Twitter: LauraT_Funk
says:
How fun is this! Seriously I would love to do something like this with my girl friends
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