Cooking Club

Visiting is enough. Personally, I don't like games, etc. I'd like to go visit and exchange recipes. I like the theme idea.

I'd say just chatting & visiting would be best.

Pick a theme: Mexican, Mediterranean (sp?), Italina, Indian, Morrocan, Chinese etc.

You can decorate the kitchen/living room w/things that are centered around the theme.

Check out, buy from a 2nd hand book store or borrow coffee table books from that country that showcase the landscape, highlights from that country.

Your table cloth can be a map.

Search for drinks from that country.

Don't make it too long of an event: 2 hrs should be good.

Edit: oh and provide a dessert from that region. Have fun!

Just visiting is enough. I recently went to an engagement party that was a chocolate tasting party. I thought it was going to be a little nerdy and boring, but it was fun! We basically tasted chocolates, took notes if we wanted to, and talked.

I like the idea of just visiting, but what about walking them through YOUR recipe. I just got a new recipe book from a group of moms....mine are in it too. Then, as I read through the book I realized that I may not make a recipe because it seems too complicated. If I had someone walk me through it then I would have more confidence to try it.

So maybe walk them through the recipe without actually making it. Like, "I like to use a large bowl for this part because...... I usually dice my chicken while my onions are cooking to save time. Then I just combine these two and put them in the glass dish." And then ask others if there is anything they would like to share about their recipe....maybe extra side notes?

Or have a demo on a cooking technique? What is the goal for your group? Just to get get together and share recipes?

HAVE FUN!!! So jealous!

I LOVE this idea! It depends on the group, but I think that eating and talking is fun enough! Another thing that you could do would be to place a jar or other container in front of each dish and when everyone comes in give them each a penny (or several pennies or have them bring in their own) and then they place a penny (or several pennies depending on your rules) in the jar that corresponds with their favorite dish. Toward the end of the event you count up the pennies and figure out who won the most, and then give that person a small prize such as new oven mitts or a cute dish towel. You can also have second and third place winners if you choose. It would add some fun and encourage everyone to try hard to cook something really spectacular witch will make it more fun to taste too!

I like the idea of just visiting. I personally hate games. I was just asked to do a baby shower and am dreading that part. Anyway, maybe as an icebreaker, you could have everyone go around and give their name, and why they choose this recipe to share. Or maybe share what they would have brought if they could have chosen 2. Or what their favorite food is, or type of food. It's not a game, but it would help everyone get to know each other a bit better. Sounds like a really fun time. I wish we had something like that! Have fun!

I think visiting would be fun. You could bring a few games in case some people want to play. One game that I love to play with a large group is Apples to Apples. It definetaly gets everyone laughing. The cooking club sounds like a lot of fun!!

My sister was in something like that and they just sat around, ate, and visited. It was enough. Most women want to get out and just talk to other adults. I know I do! Just do that for the first one, if you feel you need something else next month you can do more then. Or add a book in and have it a book/recipe club. But I think the visiting will be fine and will refresh all their souls and fill their patience banks, thus allowing them to be good mommies!