It was not simply one social gathering that rocked in 2010, no it was the spontaneous inception of a gourmet group that met throughout the year. It all started this time last year. A friend posted on facebook about wanting to try cooking Julia Child recipes. I had just seen Julia and Julia and two of us responded eagerly that we were game to do it too. We met the first week in January to pre-plan. We decided that each couple, there were three, would contribute two dishes, one prepared and one to prepare together. We decided it would be fun to dress the part that night, so we boasted our pearls and best aprons, then waded through every word of technique. We had a ton of fun and an amazing meal to boot.
And so was born "Taste Buds".
This evolved into a monthly dinner club, rotating houses, bringing the kids (so no need for a sitter, yea), and amazing evenings. We choose a different chef or genre of food each time and always try to dress the part. We let the kids play for a bit while we get the appetizer ready and then get them fed and settled to play or watch movies before bed. Then we sip wine, or a signature cocktail for the evening and chop, prepare, assemble and cook fantastic slow food. Our average meal takes four plus hours for us to prepare and eat in courses.
This year we've accomplished Julia Child, Giada De Laurentiis, Jaimie Oliver, Jamaican Jerk, Campfire fare, Asian Fusion, Ina Garten, White trash food reconstructed, and BBQ. The timing of this prompt was perfect as today I'm preparing masses of dough for our first Christmas cookie baking Taste Buds. We are baking six types tomorrow and each bringing one prepared in advance. Since the ovens will be busy, we will be having a crock pot feast of Slow-Cooked Hoisin Pork Wraps with peanut slaw. Slow food, fantastic foodie friends and incredible times....here's to manifesting this on-going party forward in 2011!
#reverb10 It's never too late to join in!
This is AWESOME! Friends and food... there's nothing better.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a ton of fun. We've started hosting a monthly pot luck for our friends - many with children the same age - it is a great way to spend an evening & everyone looks forward to it all month.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, what FUN!!! And the name of your group - so clever!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic idea - expanding your horizons, solidifying friendships, keeping family together; there is no end to the wonder of your year long party.
I read a fiction book in the Summer called "The School of Essential Ingredients" by Erica Bauermeister - and it changed my relationship to food and cooking. I always enjoyed my time in the kitchen in the past ~ but slowly over time, I'd allowed my creativity and adventurousness to be tempered with the demands of life's schedules, children's desire for certain food preparations, etc.
Reading this book opened my heart's longings to connect with meal creations again in a meaningful way ~ and I now introduce a new recipe at least once per week as a result.
I also create something new and different for my book club gatherings as a result. They're far more encouraging and receptive to this ~ so that's wonderful.
You've taken this to a fantastic new level. I'm so grateful to have read this post today. So inspiring! Thank you ...
Fantastic! Em and I are in a group of enthusiastic eaters, but it hasn't been taken to this level. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun!
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