How to Start a Supper Club

How to Start a Supper Club

Clam Bake Themed Supper Club

Three years ago I was at a friend's backyard BBQ and we were discussing how difficult it was for us to organize and get together with friends.  I jokingly suggested we start a Supper Club that meets once a month.  That simple statement started a tradition that has been going on ever since.

So what is a Supper Club and how do you start one?  Supper Club is our groups name for our monthly gatherings that revolve around food.  Sometimes we think about giving it a fancy and whimsical name, but Supper Club is what we call it, and that has stuck for these last few years.

Who should you invite? 

When we first started the Supper Club, there were just 2 couples, but we knew that we wanted to add more people.  Obviously, we invited other people who like food as much as we do.  We had already had been getting together and making perogies.  Every year, right before Christmas, we would spend all day making, boiling and freezing perogies for the year.  We usually averaged around 400! and then split them.  Can you imagine making that many perogies without any help??  But, not everyone has to be a master chef to join.  They just have to want to enjoy good food and good company.

Perogie Making

How many people should you invite?

Over the years we occasionally had 12 people and as few as 4, but 8 is the perfect number for Supper Club.  I can sit 8 people at my table comfortably and it seems to be the perfect size for interesting conversations.  Plus, with 8 people there are more than enough dishes to divvy up and try!

Spooky Food Themed Supper Club

Where should you meet?

That depends on what kind of club you want to have.  Our group takes turns hosting and we mostly meet at someone's home, but there is no set standard.  We have had Supper Club at campgrounds, outdoor pavilions, and restaurants.  We have also used it to celebrate various holidays and events such as Halloween, New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Super Bowl, etc...

Campground Pig Roast Supper Club

What type of food should you serve?

This depends on what kind of food you like.  We started out with choosing a theme for each meeting. Then, after picking a theme we each decide on what we were going to bring.  Usually, the host is in charge of providing the main course, while the rest of us bring appetizers, side dishes, and desserts.  Some of the themes we have done in the past are:

• Hawaiian Luau
• Italian Feast
• Clam Bake
• All Appetizers
• Pig Roast
• Spooky Food (Halloween)
• Steak and Potatoes
• Southern Charm
• Outdoor BBQ
• Eastern European Delights
• Something in a Bowl
• Chinese Take-Out

Helpful Tips

• Make sure everyone knows what they are bringing beforehand.  We have ended up with people bringing the same dish more than once because of this.  Communication is key.
• Unless you are hosting, plan something that you can transport easy.  I made fried wontons once, but they don't taste the same 3 hours later as they did when they came out of the fryer.  
• Sometimes there is limited refrigerator room, so make sure what you are bringing won't spoil.
• Not all dishes come out the way you expect.  I've had a disaster or two.  Focus on the friendship and community, rather than on the food.
• HAVE FUN!