a calling to the masses (supper club)

I’ve posted about this topic one or two times before, but as we are on the brink of a new year, I feel it’s appropriate to mention, or maybe mention is the wrong word, ahem, I feel it’s appropriate to ask, yet again,
for an expression of interest in an underground supper club.  This idea has been bouncing around in my head for the past two years or so, and while I haven’t acted aggressively on it, I intend to do so this time around.  In collaboration with a well-known Portland face (his identity is being kept secret for now…) I have been in the early stages of planning this supper club.  Differing from previous propositions, I have decided to take on the role of chef (with the help of two other folks) instead of having it alternate from month to month.  The supper will be open to fifteen people (and only 15) every month.  We will be announcing the date of the supper a week in advance on Facebook, Vin et Grub, Portland Food Map, and via mass text (if you want to send me contact info, I’ll store it in my group of Port-City Eaters).  The first fifteen responses guarantee themselves a spot for that month’s dinner.  The location will be sent to the fifteen attendees a day after receiving their “rsvp”, (I can guarantee now that it will always be in Portland).

In terms of what will be on the menu depends on the month of course.  My partner in crime and I have discussed several different takes on how to design the menu- ranging from geographical themes, to Wars, to exotica.  Some months we’ll try and feature live music, others we will try and feature traditional art, and most importantly some months (the majority I suppose) we will try and feature traditional alcohol.

So now what?

Let’s say you are one of the lucky fifteen that “rsvp”s first… you will arrive at the specified location at the specified time.  There will be a communal table, where you’ll be able to mingle with other diners and enjoy your time.  Each dish will be explained to you upon it’s presentation at the table.  At this point we can’t guarantee a set amount of courses- but I suppose it’s better that way, you’ll be in for a surprise.  At the end of the meal, there will be a donation jar- we’re not asking for money from anyone, but just a small donation would certainly help compensate us for the expenses regarding the purchasing of ingredients/decorations/etc.  Donate if you feel compelled to do so– we won’t judge.  Meal times are expected to last a while…I’d give a ball-park estimate of at least 2 and a half hours.  So don’t expect this to be an in-and-out meal.

What I need from you now.

I need you to tell me if you’re interested.  The more interest I receive, the more I will be doing in the upcoming months to prepare for the first supper, which is scheduled to take place in January 2012.  So here’s what you can do: comment on this blog post, email me, facebook me, tweet me, or find me intown and let me know.  Without your interest I won’t be motivated to get things rolling.  So do it up PTLD, it’s time to get an underground supper club moving.

xx,

enfin

port city eaters

i was out at the corner room the other evening with my employer and a coworker and i heard about an old club in portland which was called the twelve forks.  at this point, i am unaware as to whether or not it is still in cahoots, but i have decided to create a new version which will be referred to as port city eaters.  the point is rather simple.  a group of portlanders who love food and love to congregate over such love.  once a month, a port city eater will host a dinner party at their home, or outside of their home- but the purpose is this: the host picks a theme- for example, if I were the leading host, I’d aim for a French theme, and then I would call each member and ask them what sort of French food they would be interested in bringing over.  For those who seem to think this is a good idea- I am pleased, however, this is rather serious.  You must bring a dish.  You must participate! and you must LOVE food.  I hope to find a good group of foodies like myself- all of different backgrounds and plan a meeting so we can discuss who would like to host the first party, and the logistics of that and what not.  For now if you are interested, please comment this post, or reach me via facebook/enfinoui.  Below is a detailed description of the new port city eaters club.

To be a member you must: enjoy food, and the process in which it is made.  You needn’t be a superb chef, but you must enjoy spending some time in the kitchen.  You must be a resident of Portland, Maine.  You must be friendly and outgoing! And you must be excited about port city eaters.  For now port city eaters is limited to a twelve member roster- however, each member is of course allowed to invite guests to dinners which encourage visitors.  If by chance there is a great interest in port city eaters, then we shall discuss having more than one dinner a month, as to accomodate soon to be members so they can host meals too.

The point of port city eaters is simple.  To learn about the food you love, share the food you love, and create the food you love.  The more you work with food, the better it will become.  The members of port city eaters will serve as a community of foodies, which will be there to support you in times of recipe failures, and those nights where you’d like to go out to eat, but have no one to go with.  Your peers from port city eaters will be your new found friends!

The first meeting will be held in late August- date is TBA on vinetgrub.wordpress.com and enfinoui.wordpress.com.

Please contact me if you have any questions whatsoever.  AND SPREAD THE WORD.

thanks,

e.