at www.cookboys.org
Hosting a Portland Cookboys Event
If you would like to host a Portland Cookboys event, be prepared to accommodate 40 or more hungry celebrants. If you can fit this many in your house, great! In good weather they can spill out into your yard. Or maybe you have access to a larger facility - a community clubhouse, maybe. In any event, seating for most people is a good idea, and table space, or at least some place to set food and drink, is definitely a plus. You'll need table space to lay out the appetizers, main dishes, desserts and drinks. Guests are usually very careful, but be prepared for the possible dropped piece of cake or wine spill.
You make arrangements to host by contacting the Cookboys host coordinator at cookboys @cookboys.org and agreeing on a date. Cookboys meetings are typically on the 2nd or 3rd Saturday in each month, with the starting time typically "arrive at 6, eat at 7". However, sometimes nobody is available to host at these times, or some special circumstance makes a Sunday more appropriate, and perhaps at a different time. This can be worked out with the Cookboys host coordinator. In any case, don't forget to provide special directions for finding your place if the Yahoo! map conceals some hidden turn in the road. Since dues are no longer being collected, any expenses you incur will be appreciated as your contribution to the cause. Also, as host, you are not expected to contribute to the food.
If you've signed up and are preparing to host, here's a checklist that should prove helpful:
Tableware: knives, forks, spoons, soup spoons Dishes: dinner plates, dessert plates, soup plates
Beverage containers: beer, wine, soft drinks
Napkins
These items may be disposable unless you have access to non-disposable items and are willing to wash them afterwards. Utensils: serving spoons, corkscrew Some people bring their own, but a few extra usually come in handy. Drinks: coffee, tea, soft drinks, water, etc. Totally optional, although coffee is the one thing that people appreciate because it's hard to "bring with". If you provide coffee, don't forget cream and sugar. "Hello" badge blanks and pens to fill them in with Not essential but very useful, especially for new guests. Food warmer: oven and/or microwave Always a few people who need to keep something warm. Ice chest with ice or refrigerator space For cold drinks people bring, especially in the summer. Chairs and tables Food is a lot easier to eat if you can sit down and have a place to put a plate and glass. But most houses will never seat 40 or more people, so be inventive in accommodating as many people as possible.
Be prepared to deal with items left behind. Usually somebody forgets a serving spoon or dish of some sort, or maybe a jacket or cap. You can bring them to the next Cookboys and ask around or you can assimilate them into your own pantry. But the best bet is to email webmaster @cookboys.org and we'll post it at the new Cookboys Lost & Found link now on the Cookboys Home Page.
Food and beverage left behind is yours to enjoy.