Faq's
What is a Gourmet Group?
A gourmet group meets regularly to enjoy meals prepared by members of the group.
How often does the group meet?
The group has 4 regular dinners per year (once per quarter). In addition special optional events are also scheduled throughout the year. See the 2011 schedule here.
How many people are in the group?
To function, the group must have at least 4 couples (8 people). Our group currently has (8) regular couples and (3) alternates.
Is the group in English or Spanish?
The group is conducted in English but bi-, tri- and more- lingual people are welcome!
I am single but want to join, can I?
Yes, if you don’t have a regular partner, you can either invite an alternate to be your partner for a dinner or can have a non member guest join you.
How much does it cost to be in the group?
We do not have any dues or membership fees. The only costs are those necessary to purchase the ingredients and prepare your assigned course (for 8 people) for each dinner. Some dinners require special ingredients which may be somewhat expensive, however, we try to take cost into consideration when choosing recipes or themes.
Special events may require you to pay a one time fee for the event, or incur the costs of preparing a pre-determined item, or may not incur any costs at all. Event requirements are posted in advance.
Can anyone join?
We accept members who can demonstrate a passion for food and cooking. We do have a screening process and all accepted members must agree to participate within the group guidelines.
Do I have to be trained in culinary arts to join?
You do not need to be formally trained to join. However, you should feel comfortable cooking and following recipes, or creating dishes without a recipe. You should like the challenge of cooking with techniques and ingredients you may not be familiar with.
You should have a love for food and cooking. We do screen members to make sure their passions lie along the same lines as ours and that they will fit well with other group members.
Do I have to live in the City to be a member?
The group currently operates in the Greater Panama City area. If you live anywhere from Veracruz to Gamboa to Cerro Azul, you can be a member.
What if I want to join but don't want to attend the dinners if they are not within city limits?
You should join as an alternate so you can accept or refuse a dinner invitation based on your geographic area.
What is the difference between regular and alternate members?
Regular members are couples (any combo of 2 people) that participate in all scheduled dinners. Single people may be members and can invite a guest along or team up with another single consistent dinner partner.
Alternate members are singles or couples called upon in the event a regular guest is unable to make the scheduled dinner. Alternates are not required to host a dinner.
If someone wishes to be a regular member, but all houses are full, they may be put on the alternates list until there is an opening for a regular member or enough new members have joined to make a new house.
Do all members get together for each dinner?
No, each dinner consists of a set of 4 couples. We call this a “house”. If the group membership is high enough to have more than one “house”, each house will hold a separate dinner party. Members rotate through the different “houses” so they can meet with all members at least once per year, host only once per year and make each course only once per year.
Special Events are open to all members, regular and alternate.
How does the dinner rotation work?
At the start of each season, a rotation chart is made by the group director. Each member will be pre-assigned a course for a specific dinner. Each dinner will also have an assigned HOST. The dinner HOST member supplies the location and entrée course. The GUEST members each supply one of the remaining courses.
How many courses per dinner?
There are four courses:
First Course: Hors d' oeuvres
Second course: Soup or Salad
Third Course: Entrée
Fourth Course: Dessert.
A cheese course can be voluntarily added, typically by the member supplying the dessert.
Each member supplies their course as well as a wine paired with that course.
Do you get to make anything you want for the dinners?
Each dinner has a theme. The themes are determined at the beginning of each season. With some themes, members are assigned specific recipes relating to that theme. Other themes allow the member to choose what they want to make, within the constraints of their course. For example, a theme may be a specific ingredient, say... Mango, and therefore each course must feature Mangos, be it an appetizer, main entree or dessert.
What are the hosts responsibilities?
The host must supply:
The location for the dinner. The location should have seating for 8 people, a refrigerator and basic cooking equipment.
Dishes, glasses and other serving items.
The entree course and a paired wine or other beverage.
Serve and clear their course.
A copy of the recipe(s) for their course.
An optional “welcome cocktail” may also be supplied by the Host.
The Host is responsible for creating the atmosphere for the dinner theme. An appropriately themed table-scape (Table setting) and music or entertainment are all options for the host to create a memorable dinner party.
The host should direct the other members as to when it is time for them to prepare and server their course.
The host should direct the dinner conversation towards the dinner theme.
If the hosts kitchen requires the reuse of some dishes / silverware / glasses etc. for the different courses it is the hosts responsibility to provide a “helper” to facilitate cleaning for reuse. The host and guests should not be washing dishes in between courses.
What are the other members responsibilities?
The “guest” members for each dinner must supply:
Their assigned course. The members should pre-prepare as much of their course as possible and only have to reheat or assemble their course at the hosts kitchen.
A paired wine or other beverage with their course.
Serve and clear their course.
A copy of the recipe(s) (if not pre-assigned) for their course.
Do I have to attend all of the special events?
No, special events are optional.
What if a member has food allergies?
If a member has a food allergy or other conditions which will prevent them from participating in at least 3 of the courses for a specific dinner, they should opt out and contact an alternate to take their place.
I am the host but I have a scheduling conflict with the assigned date, what do I do?
If a host is unable to have the dinner on the date assigned, it is the host’s responsibility to contact all guests for their dinner and reschedule to another date which is convenient for all members and is as close to the original date as possible. The host should advise the director of the change.
What if a member can’t attend an assigned dinner?
The member should find an alternate member that can take their place. This should be done as much in advance of the dinner date as possible. If no alternates are available to take the regular members place, the member should contact their assigned host and the group director. The host and director will work together to then find a fill-in or may decide to change the date so the regular member may participate.
If a regular member misses 2 or more dinners in one season, they will be taken out of regular rotation and put on alternate status.
My regular partner can’t make a dinner, what do I do?
You can find an alternant to fill in. If no alternates are available, you may ask a non-member to be your guest.
I have specific plates I want to use for my dish presentation, can I use them?
Yes, if you want to bring special plates, bowls, glasses or other items to help with the presentation of your course you may. Be aware that the host is not responsible for damaged or lost time.