Looking for basic info on supper clubs

[IlanaEid]

I am trying to find basic information on starting a club. I see the relevant sections on the front page of the site, but I can't seem to navigate there. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks.

[tbb113]

There are regional threads located directly below this thread. Post there and hopefully you will get a supper club going. :)

[IlanaEid]

Thanks. I am already in the regional areas. I am specifically looking for the rules and basics, but I have to get my subscription number to get to that page.

[DmOrtega]

There aren't any rules for forming a supper club. Basicly it is a group of people that get together to eat. They may share in the cooking or do potluck style or anything else that comes to mind. It really is up to the group. Pretty much anything goes.

[claire797]

There's lots of basic info here:

http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking/mp/entertaining/package/0,14343,232749,00.html

[Grace]

The link above is the correct link, but CL's site is now restricted to subscribers and purchasers of the magazine. You are correct that you now need either your subcription number, or the code from the magazine to access the website (except for a few areas like these boards). The code from the magazine for this month is SUPCLUBS. Try that and you should get in no problem. Good luck.

[magdon]

you might also try this post which has ideas and additional links

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19892&highlight=supper+club

[CORALEE]

there are no rules for starting a supper club.... except for what you want them to be...

If you want some advice, whatever you decide make sure that all members know the "rules" and agree to them. Our supper club got off to a shaky start because we all just kind of had different ideas. We ended up sitting down together and making up some ground rules.

ie: how many people are in your supper club? What are the rules for including either a new clubber in the group or inviting a guest or friend to experience it with you. What are the rules for bringing along host and hostess gifts.

here is our little plan (if it helps at all)

It's funny how little things make the night feel uncomfortable or more easy going. Our supper club works in that - one couple takes a turn each month. December we have no supper club that month but have a potluck coctail party.

Our concensus was that if we were putting that much time and effort into preparing a meal and being the host/hostess we would want complete control of the menu preparation and what was being served.

We have four couples so we each do it two or three times a year... inevitably there comes a month when no date works so it gets pushed back. This way we can focus on our own night and also get out all the other times with no thought. After the first or second supper club our biggest rule became no hostess gifts (something we would never do if being invited anywhere else for dinner) That means no wine, no flowers, NOTHING. We did this as we are very aware of the amount of work going into the night so we were showing up with more elaborate bottles of wine or flowers for our hostess. Now if the wine is brought should it be served even if it does not go with our theme etc etc (not vey important problems but just to ease everything) Also it was said that the next month the person who was hostess was trying to remember what was brought to her and find a price appropriate gift blah blah.

Now we just all show up with our appetites and a party attitude!!! We find it is working out beautifully.

Other guests is a more tricky issue. Try to find out a rule of thumb that works best for you and your fellow clubbers. good luck.

[DebMG]

I know it's been September since someone posted on this thread, but you all sound like experts so I'm coming back to you!

I just formed a Ladies Supper Club. There are eight of us and we are going to have a planning meeting in a couple of weeks.

Here's my concern: Do you think getting eight in the group is too many? I am assuming we will operate where the host makes the entree, and everyone else brings a side dish. But now I am wondering, will we need seven side dishes? For eight women? Tell me I didn't make a major mistake by "recruiting" that many!

Debbie

[tbb113]

I think you'll be just fine with 8. One or two of you probably will have a date conflict with whatever date you pick...but even if you all can make it you can break it down

2 appetizers
1 salad
1 entree
2 sides
2 desserts

Or however works for you and the rest of the ladies.

Our group is even larger...what we don't do is double the recipe. So if it serves 6 and there are 10 of us, we take smaller portions. Since we have 10 dishes, no one leaves hungry.

Tyra

[CORALEE]

hey Deb,

congrats on joining the cult!! (what our menfolk affectionately call our little endeavor) You sound so excited and eight women sounds like a blast!! As Tyra wisely pointed out there are probably often times when all eight won't be able to make it. Her breakdown on courses sounds just about right. I am sure that you can all creatively come up with different ideas for changing it up a bit too.

You could also try a beverage assignment as well depending on what your theme is. CL has some great beverage ideas. I wish you all the best and make sure you post a new thread after the party so we can all share in your success.

best of luck. Trish
;)

[magdon]

Ditto what everyone else said. Plus you've got breads, soups, all sorts of things. And lots of themes (Asian cuisines particularly come to mind) often don't have set courses.