Last year a friend suggested a few of us start a Supper Club. Whilst it sounds like someone proper grown ups such as my Mother-in-Law would do, they've actually been a great addition to our social calendar!
The idea is what between you, you take it in turns to host a dinner party. There are about 12 of us in our group, and generally not everyone can come, so you're not usually having to cater for 12 people. Having said that, I did still have 8 people here the other night which was plenty! It should have been 10 but a couple cancelled at the last minute which saved me having to get chairs out of the attic.
Do you have to make everything from scratch at a Super Club?
I'd say no - I mean, people generally have made most things at our group's dinners but it's never been said that that's the case. I think it's more about people sharing recipes they like or getting chance to try a recipe they've been wanting an excuse to cook. I really don't think anyone in our club would mind if we rocked up to frozen pizza - it's just a chance for a natter and a catch up in a cosy place that's not somewhere we go often.
Personally I did Mexican food, the person who started the club did an amazing Greek spread (and she did make a lot - inc. flatbreads and hummus!), and the only other person to cook so far did a phenomenal vegan lasagne, which I've made since - it is sooo yummy (and lots of effort).
What if you don't have room to host a supper club?
One of my friends hosted (cooked) supper at another friend's house who had a bigger dining table. Others are waiting for summer so they can host outdoors and we can all just mill around eating BBQ food!
Does it get expensive?
It cost me about £50 in food - so yes, that's not a cheap night by my standards - it'd cost me less to go to the pub. But another night I'd go to someone else's house and it'd cost me the price of a bottle of wine (as we tend to take what we want to drink... and you can't really take less than a bottle if you want wine). And a supermarket bottle of wine isn't far off the price of a glass at our local pub.
Does it get competitive?
People have asked me this but I honestly don't think it does. Yes we've had a couple of brilliant meals but I honestly feel so comfortable with the friends in the group that, as I've said above, I think you could serve frozen pizza and no one would judge; everyone would just have a good chat and a nice evening!
Do you have to do 3 courses?
We haven't tended to - just a main and desert.
If you've got any other questions about hosting or organising a supper club, find me on Insta and ask away!
