Onion and Artichoke Focaccia
Pesto Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Asparagus Gruyere Tart
Grilled Zucchini and Feta Salad
Toffee Crunch Chocolate Bars
Does that sound like one of Chef Ezra’s menus? Maybe, but it’s actually a few of the impressive recipes I’ve collected — and made more than once! — from my participation in a Cooking Club. Never heard of the concept? Basically, we’re a group of women who meet on a monthly basis to cook, eat, drink, and enjoy each other’s company. What more could you ask for?
The logistics
During the 10+ years I’ve participated, our cooking club has included between 8 and 11 "members." We each take turns hosting, so you end up with the group at your house about once a year. The hostess emails possible dates for the upcoming month to everyone, and picks the date that works for the most people. If we tried to find a date that worked for everyone, we’d never meet, so we’re realistic about our other work/family/life commitments.
The only person who has any work to do before the event is the hostess. (No pressure equivalent to having to finish that book before Book Club meets!) She selects the recipes — new or tried and true — and does all the necessary grocery shopping in advance of the chosen date. Sometimes the recipes work around a theme, such as Appetizers and Desserts, or Summer Picnic, and other times, it’s a random collection of future family favorites. On Cooking Club day, members come from work, or from handing off kids to dads and babysitters, and settle in for a relaxing evening.
We generally have the same number of recipes as women attending, so each person prepares one dish. The hostess spends most of the time running around the kitchen meeting requests for mixing bowls, measuring spoons, baking sheets, and that elusive pastry brush. Once everything is cooked, we sit down to enjoy the fruits of our labor together. (That’s when the conversation really gets good!)
After dinner, we split up the leftovers and do all of the dishes. (My leftovers don’t usually make it to the fridge, since the resident food critic is usually waiting up for me.) We also split the cost of everything, which ranges from $10 to $20, and take home a copy of the recipes.
The real benefits
Obviously my recipe box has benefited greatly, along with my knowledge of kitchen gadgets, home décor, and parenting techniques!
Far more important, however, are the ongoing friendships that form. In the early years, all of our members worked at the same retail software company, which was the common thread. Over time, however, people’s lives have evolved, and our group now includes working and stay-at-home moms and women with no children who work in a variety of industries, both traditional office jobs and self-employed home businesses. We’ve shared engagements, weddings, babies, new homes, and job changes, as well as family illnesses and career setbacks.
And through it all, we’ve met every month (give or take a few busy Decembers!) and loved every minute of it!
If you’d like any more info on how to start up your own Cooking Club, please contact me at kim_chatterson@yahoo.ca.
Kim’s Cooking Club enjoying the fruits of their labour:
I love it! I don’t love cooking but would be totally willing to contribute to something like this for a chance to share in the whole meal. When I was little my mom belonged to a “Gourmet Group” for years. It was a great opportunity for her to get out and socialize and to try new and yummy foods.
Thanks for sharing, Kim!