Anyone in the Cleveland area?

[akdavis]

I live in Westlake just west of Cleveland. I am in the VERY early stages of thinking about starting a supper club. I have no idea if I can really pull it off but am wondering if anyone else is out there that might be interested too!

Anne

[kinast]

Hi Anne.

I live in downtown Cleveland, and am thinking about joining a supper club. Let me know what your plans are.

Thanks.
Andrea

[akdavis]

HI Andrea,

I don't have any plans! :) It just seems like a fun thing to do. I do know that I would like it to be open to anyone as opposed to just women or just couples. I'd like it to be a mix of people. But beyond that I am totally open and am not sure what else I would like.

How about you?

Anne

[carriees]

Anne and Andrea,

I have recently moved to Sheffield Lake and I am very interested in joining / starting a dinner club. Please keep me in mind as you go forward with your plans. I am really open to any suggestions that you might have and have no problems driving to Cleveland if necessary.

Cheers,
Carrie

[akdavis]

One of my good friends lives in Sheffield Lake and while I have not mentioned the dinner club thing to her yet I know that it is something she would love to do.

I am out of town this week but when I get back I will talk to her about it and see what she has to say.

Thanks! Anne

[ncw]

I live in Columbia Twp (adjacent to Strongsville) and am interested. Have you gotten a lot of replies yet?

I love to cook, eat, socialize and make new friend and am really looking forward to participaing in a supper club!

[carriees]

I hope that we are still planning on a club in the western Cleveland suburb area. I hope that we can get this started, I am really looking forward to it.

Carrie

[akdavis]

So, there seems to be a certain amount of interest in trying to get a suppr club started. Based on the posts it seems though while we are all westsiders there is quite a bit of difference in locations. I think that is fine - it just needs to be taken into consideration.

DOes anyone have an opinion on how best to hash out details? Until otherwise noted, I guess I will just start here on this board and I will also in this message lay out what I would like to see as well as what my presonallimitations are ad we can go from there. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE...if anyone has an idea or an opinion how how they would like to see this play out...say so...we can do our best to make this something everyone will enjoy! What are the kinds of htings you are looking for? WHat do you like to cook? Do you want something where everyone cooks something everytime like a pot luck or would you rather take turns hosting and the hosts does all?

As, I said before, I live in Westlake. I like to cook but my husbadn LOVES it and he loves to entertain. So, while I have not talked ot him much about the supper club idea as of yet I konw he will be interested in giving it a try. Given that, if it is okay, I would like to include any men who are interested...though by no means make it a mandatory "couples" thing.

My limitations are that 1)we have two young children so we will need babysittin coverage for the evening. This is usually just fine given enough notice.

My other limitation is that due to my vision I cannot drive at night. Also, not a probelm if my husband is involved.

I am open to pretty uch anyhting as far as how we structure it. (i.e. host does all vs. potluck) maybe we try both.

ALso, do you envision this being a monthly thing or more or less often?

I am drawn to this idea as a way to meet people who enjoy socializing in places other than bars or playgrounds!

I am a bit at a loss as how to proceed from here other than just plunging in so post back and let me know your thoughts!

Oh, another good thing to ponder is what size the club should be. OUr house is larger enough tht we can accomodate a fair number of people but by the same token I think intimate is easier and sometimes better. I guess we can base it a bit on who shows interest here on the board. Though, I can think of a handful of people I know that might also be interested in such an opportunity and maybe you do too...so we will have to figure out what we think a max number might be that everyone would be comfotable hosting in their homes.

Okay, that was a lot! I am excited to hear what you all have to say!

Anne

[ncw]

Thanks for the reply!

I too would like to include my husband because he LOVES to cook and experiment. It seems like the easiest way to do this is a potluck kind of thing. That way everyone can make a dish assembled at home, but bring to a central location to enjoy.

Personally my house is small. It is best used for fair-weather or casual entertaining (e.g. - outside in good weather, or casual, take your plate to the couch to eat if indoors). That is what i normally do when i have friends over - but formal dining for a large group would be difficult for me.

My main goals are to meet people, ejoy conversation, some wine, and share a love of healthy food and lifestyle.

I think montly or quartly is good. I think more than monthly will be difficult. I think less than quarterly would result in a lack of continuity and possibly drop-out in participation. So in short, maybe start with monthly.

Hope this picks up!
Nancy

[akdavis]

Hi Nancy,

I think between once a month and every six weeks would be a good time table. Perhaps when we get a solid idea of who is involved we can decide on a set date such as the fourth Sunday of every month.

I think casual is just fine and if there are those whose homes can accomodate a more formal sitting than they can do so. I think it brings interest to be able to enjoy meals in different settings. Do you have a max number that you would feel comfortable hosting as the weather gets more unpredicatable?

I also think potluck is fine. Though I would want it at least semi-planned. For instance, maybe we do theme meals based on a certain ethnic cuisine.

This is a ways own the road but I would also like to try a communal cooking session if people are interested. Again, if someone's kitchen lends itself to multiple cooks! I think it is fun to cook with other people...but I agree it would be hard to do that on a regular basis. I am just throwing the idea out there.

Where do you live Nancy?

Thanks for the post!

Anne

[alisajean]

Hi there ladies. . . I was reading your posts and thought I would let you know what another Cleveland Supper Club does. I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes here! Our East Side Club started about a year ago. We first all met at a convenient coffee house just to meet face to face for the first time. We decided before we met to not include husbands. We are a group of six women who meet once a month whenever it's convenient for everyone. We also wrote down at the time what each person's dislikes were which has been very helpful (and also possible allergies). The person hosting makes the main entree which must be from the current issue. Everyone else rotates on what they are bringing and can make it from any issue or found on the website. Six people has worked out perfect as far as the number of dishes are concerned. The host also provides the wine, etc. for that meal. We have never all cooked together; side dishes are always brought and reheated. Also I think it would be fun to cook together. We have truly enjoyed meeting each other and have had a lot of fun eating things are husbands or kids wouldn't like and also things we would never of tried on our own! GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CLUB! (hope you didn't mind my unsolicited input)

[carriees]

Hi there,

It sounds like you guys have a good idea to start. I am single, but am very happy to meet and eat with anyone. I also have a small home, actually an apartment. I can do six sitting around easily. Eight is doable, but it would be a little tight. I think every month to six weeks sounds like a perfect time line. I also like the idea of trying to cook together every once in awhile.

Lets try to set up a meeting somewhere convinent soon - maybe at a coffee shop, as suggested by the lady from east Cleveland. I think that it will be easier to work out details face to face. I live in Sheffield Lake, but can easily travel anywhere - I just need good directions since I just moved to the area.

[ncw]

I agree - let's meet to talk over some ideas. How about a coffe house that is near a highway - for instance, 71, 480, or 90? I am on the West side but if downtown works better for some as a middle ground it doesn't matter. I like the advice of the woman who was already involved in and East-side club (THANKS!).

If there are people interested I can do a mapquest search for coffee houses near wherever we want to meet.

Nancy

[carriees]

It sounds like most of us are on the west side of the city. I am out of town this weekend, and have a meeting next Saturday. How about next Sunday, Oct 3? Maybe in the early afternoon. We can discuss other dates and times too if this isn't convienent for all of us. We could also meet for dessert one evening too after work. Someone else will have to pick the place, I don't know anywhere.

I think that this will be a lot of fun!
Cheers,
Carrie

[ncw]

Dessert somewhere sounds good to me! If others are interested let's pick a spot. I am sure there is a cheesecake factory around or something like that. The weekend of October 3rd work for me. Let me know if others are dragging their hubbys along...

Cheers!

Nancy

[carriees]

Nancy, Andrea, Anne,

The only Cheesecake factory is in Lyndhurst. I believe that is over on the east side of town. Does anyone know of a good coffee shop or dessert place closer. Do we want to say three o'clock on Sunday, Oct. 3 to meet? I would recommend a place, but I dont know where anything is yet. Also, I would say that if your spouse is going to be involved with the club, bring them along to the meeting. Looking forward to meeting all of you

Carrie