Gourmet Club - need ideas

mysweetpeasWil&Wes wrote: I've told you guys before that I belong to a Gourmet Club where five couples get together every other month, rotating homes, and we eat and drink wine. The host picks a theme, or whatever they really want, and we each bring a dish. We have made it through one whole round, so my turn is coming up again in a few months.

So far, we have had tri-tip dinner, fish tacos (my house) sortof a fiesta theme, picnic theme (sitting on floor, ate paninis), Cuban night (paella and mojitos), and mystery dinner night with italian food. I need some new ideas!! I love to cook, so throw anything out there and I can find a recipe for it if I had to. Even something totally off the wall. You can incorporate a game, anything really.

PrairieMom replied: what about a chineese food night and you can force everyone to eat with chopsticks.

bawoodsmall replied: Sushi? I dont like it but if it is a gourmet club it could be cool.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Thanks for the ideas ladies! I love chinese and sushi, so these are good! I guess what's hard is I have one friend who is very picky. She won't eat raw fish or even any kind of fish. I was lucky she ate my fish tacos. She also won't eat meat on a bone, so no whole chicken or ribs or anything like that. Sortof limits things.

I just thought of a couple, let me know what you think:

I love the movie Chocolat or there is also "Like Water for Chocolate", both good movies. SO maybe I have that as a theme and we watch snipets of the movie. Everyone has to bring something made with chocolate, not just a dessert, but chocolate with chicken (mole sauce) or something really unique. Could be fun!

Another idea, and I'm not sure if logistically this would work, but maybe create my own Top Chef or Iron Chef show...So I can actually challenge people in the kitchen, against each other. I could have ingredients out and people maybe team up. Hmmm, I don't have a very large kitchen though and only one stove...hmmm. Just thinking out loud!

bawoodsmall replied: You so have to do the Top Chef one! That idea is awesome! I want to come.

boyohboyohboy replied: how about something like your mystery dinner?
what if your theme is a "who done it" and you can make a dinner that has to do with a hint?
of course I havent the slightest idea at the moment what I would do, but I can keep thinking on it..do you have clue the game, or something like that?
pictionary?
i think game night is a good one..
or a carnival game? and make easy snacky food?

CantWait replied:
Hmmmm kinda defeats the purpose.

Is there not vegetarian sushi?? Also there are plenty of vegetarian things you can do for chinese food.

I have no ideas. I saw a show on tv once where they did sorta the same thing. It was like a contest with 4 or 5 different people and they each took turns cooking a full course dinner and whoever made the best meal, created the best ombiance (sp?) etc.. won.

Sounds like lots of fun.

PrairieMom replied:
sounds like someone can go hungry.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
ya

why join a FOOD gourmet club if your picky like that?

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
ROFL!! She's one of my BFs, so I try and accomodate her. But like Marie said, sorta defeats the purpose of a "gourmet" club. To me, it's about trying new things and stepping outside of their comfort zone. But that's just me. I knew she doesn't eat fish, and I still made mahi tacos, but she said she liked them. I guess the many margaritas we had that night helped the fish go down!!

Thanks for the ideas...Please keep em coming!

I still don't know how I would really do the Top Chef idea, only because I don't have the space. And I'm not sure if it would make people nervous. The movie idea that I had may work...Instead of watching it at our house, maybe I can send each person a copy of the movie with their invite and do it like a book club. We can talk about the movie, I'll have questions ready. Then we can eat. People can bring food items that go with the theme of the movie. Would that work?

Stacy, I love the mystery dinner idea but they just did that two weekends ago. I guess it's similar to what you said, like the game clue. So I don't want a repeat, kwim?

Calimama replied:
No kidding. That's like joining a soccer team when you hate sports.

CantWait replied:

Jamison'smama replied: You could do a Indian/Bollywood theme with jewel toned silk decor, henna tattoos, Indian music.

A Russian theme with loads of ice cold Vodka

A multi cultural meal where everyone brings a dish from their own cultural background.

A finger food only party--everything brought has to be eaten with fingers--no silverware allowed.

CantWait replied:
I LOVE those ideas. Especially #2

MommyToAshley replied: I like your Top Chef idea if you can work out the logistics.

This has probably been done a million times, but how about a Hawaiian Luau. Those are always fun, especially in the middle of winter. I don't know what kind of dishes you'd make, but don't forget the umbrellas in the drinks.

What about a Casino night... again, not sure how or what food to incorporate, but gambling is always fun. You could buy small fun gifts (maybe some useful kitchen utensils, cook books, etc, and throw in some gag gifts), wrap them up, and have everyone bid on them with their chips at the end of the night.

You could have a Mongolian barbeque ... set out the meats, veggies, herbs and sauces... everyone creates their own dish and you stir fry it up for them right before their very own eyes.


Let us know what you decide, sounds like a fun club!

PrairieMom replied: what about an all uncooked meal? you could do raw veggi's and nuts and stuff

Calimama replied:
I love love love that idea!!

MoonMama replied:
Me too!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Thanks Brenda and DeeDee! Those are GREAT ideas! Indian food would be FUN. I love curries, but I've never really made them. And casino night could be really fun too! Lots to think about now, thanks you guys!

lovemy2 replied: My bridal shower was a Hawaiian Luau everyone got great recipes from the internet and they were pretty tame for those picky eaters - kinda fun especially when its cold outside - everyone can dress the part too - its perky to put that Hawaiian shirt on in January