May 11, 7:00pm, 5th LTH Small Household Food Exch @ Salam

5th LTH Small Household Food Exchange - A Falafel Free For All
Monday, May 11, 2009

Salam
4636 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
773-583-0776

We have decided to cap the number of exchange participants at ten, given the complexity of organizing and quantity cooking, but we should have no trouble accommodating a few +1s or random LTHers for dinner. I'll check with Salam to see what kind of arrangement they are willing to make and what kind of capacity we will have.

In the meantime, please post in this thread to RSVP. As always, first come, first served, with preference given to exchange participants.

Current Roster:
RAB +1: TBA
Leek +1: Buta kakuni (Japanese style braised pork)
Cathy2 (no dinner): TBA
thaiobsessed +1: bolognese or butternut squash gratin

REVIEW OF HOW THIS EVENT IS RUN

Gathering time

Second Monday of the month, 7:00 pm

Location

GNR restaurants to be determined each month

Number in Group

Participation in each exchange is capped at 10, so 9 servings will be the maximum number that each participant will need to bring. Couples may be counted as a participant +1 (bringing multiple servings of one dish) or two participants (bringing multiple servings of two different dishes).

The Food

Each participant will bring one pre-portioned serving of their food for each other participant who has RSVP’d to come that month. A serving size is whatever you think works for your food item. For example, it may be two cups of soup or 4 oz. of pastrami (or more if you like big bowls of soup or make more generous sandwiches). We'd like to limit things to one desert per month, with the emphasis on main courses or full meals. There will be no restrictions or off-limit food items, as we’re an omnivorous bunch. We do, however, have one mushroom allergy in the group, so please make it clear if you’ve made something with mushrooms. Again, that doesn’t mean that the ingredient is off limits; it just means you need to let everyone know if you are using it that month.

The containers/delivery system: We are using Gladware 3 1/8 cup plastic containers (approximately 7” x 7” square). Please portion your food into the Gladware containers to distribute at the gathering. Food can be either fresh or frozen. If you decide to use something else to deliver your food (Ziploc bags, plastic wrap, etc.), please also return any empty Gladware containers that you have from prior exchanges. Please label your containers with the name of the dish (and an optional ingredient list, if you desire.). If there are garnishes or other elements that are to be added to or served with your dish, please indicate that on the container.

The Process

Each of us will take turns being the organizer each month. Each time we meet, someone will offer to organize the next month’s gathering.

Approximately two weeks before the next gathering, the organizer will post a new thread to the events board announcing the date and the location for that month and asking for RSVPs.

Participants must RSVP at least one week prior the event. Participants are also asked to post their dish to the thread at least three days prior to the event (or as soon as they know). This is to help make sure we get some balance in the dishes chosen for each gathering.

The organizer will monitor the thread and update the attendance list (and waiting list, if necessary) and the details about what participants are bringing. The organizer will also make reservations for the group at the restaurant, if necessary. Participants can choose to stay for dinner or just come and exchange food and leave. Please indicate in your RSVP post whether you plan to stay for dinner. Non-participating LTHers are welcome to join us for dinner (space permitting). Usually, we’ll buy dinner as a group and split the bill.

After dinner, participants identify their dishes and provide any other information or background that they would like to share. We then set out all of the food, and each participant collects one serving from each of the other participants. This never goes smoothly, but we roll with it.

See you at Salam,
--Rich

HI

Please count me in for a share, plus the DH for dinner.

Hi,

I cannot attend dinner, though I plan to participate in the exchange. I talked to jygach who offered to bring my contribution. If she cannot make it, then I will see whoever else is on the list I can send my contribution or maybe bring it to the restaurant in advance.

I will be in Chicago that evening, so I can arrange to pick it up from whomever that evening.

I just love this monthly event!

Regards,

In for the exchange, +1 for dinner.

-Mary

I'm in for the exchange this month... and +1 for dinner. Thank you and I'm looking forward to it!

Please sign me up. I have to be a party-pooper again as I cannot stay for dinner, but I'll bring a West African groundnut stew. Thanks for organizing.

Sharon

Ooh, right in my neighborhood. I'm in (+1 for dinner) if space allows.
Becca

I am sadly going to have to miss this one as I have a work event and no time to cook that weekend. Back in June.

I'm also out of town the previous weekend, so won't have a chance to do any cooking. I'll look forward to June, too.

would like to just take part in the food exchange and not attend dinner (i've another engagement that same evening)

thanks so much,
yumi

will make puerto rican pork chops and rice

I'll bump this as I think we were supposed to reply with our contribution by yesterday. I intend to bring jambalaya.

Oy, I'm indecisive. Either bolognese or butternut squash gratin.

Sadly, I won't be able to make it after all. I have to hold the fort down at work that day probably won't get there in time for the exchange later in the evening. I'm sorry for missing yet another month and hope to jump back in for June!

I was going to drop off food for the exchange w/foodie 1 and pick up my portions from her, but she's unable to attend now.
Thought i would drop things off at the restaurant around 4:30/5:00 and pick up my shares around 9:00/9:30 that same night from the restaurant.
Just called them -- they didn't seem to have a reservation for us and the guy i spoke to couldn't understand my asking him about a possible reservation that might have been made for 7:00pm mon 11 may.
If someone could give me the name of the person who they spoke with, that would be great -- and i could call him/her and explain my situation about possibly leaving food there?

Unfortunately i have access to emails only at work (mon - fri, 7:00am- 3:00pm)

If one of you could get back to me as soon as you're able, that would be great -- or else i'll have to take my name off this food exchange as well

Thanks for hopefully understanding,
Yumi

I think I will make Buta kakuni (Japanese style braised pork)

Regretfully, I will also have to cancel our participation for Monday.

ymas wrote:I was going to drop off food for the exchange w/foodie 1 and pick up my portions from her, but she's unable to attend now.
Thought i would drop things off at the restaurant around 4:30/5:00 and pick up my shares around 9:00/9:30 that same night from the restaurant.
Just called them -- they didn't seem to have a reservation for us and the guy i spoke to couldn't understand my asking him about a possible reservation that might have been made for 7:00pm mon 11 may.
If someone could give me the name of the person who they spoke with, that would be great -- and i could call him/her and explain my situation about possibly leaving food there?

Salam isn't really a "reservation" type place. Since our group is relatively small this month (and constantly shrinking), I thought I'd just wait for things to shake out and then give Salam a heads up. That's why they had no idea what you were talking about. I spoke with one of the gentlemen that work there and he suggested I just show up early and throw some tables together.

I'm not sure your drop off/pick up idea is going to work at Salam. They're just not that accommodating.

ymas wrote:Unfortunately i have access to emails only at work (mon - fri, 7:00am- 3:00pm)

If one of you could get back to me as soon as you're able, that would be great -- or else i'll have to take my name off this food exchange as well

Thanks for hopefully understanding,
Yumi

If you have to back out, I understand. For that matter, if the other members of this months' group think I should switch us to a place that will take a reservation, let me know.

--Rich

At this point, we are down to 4 dishes exchanged and 6 for dinner. What do you folks think? Still worth doing this month with so few participants?

--Rich (feeling like quite the failure as this month's organizer)

rich,

thanks so much for organizing, but as it seems a bit difficult for me to drop off/pick up food - i'll just back out this month as well - sorry

but looking forward to next month

yumi

RAB wrote:At this point, we are down to 4 dishes exchanged and 6 for dinner. What do you folks think? Still worth doing this month with so few participants?

--Rich (feeling like quite the failure as this month's organizer)

Rich-

I wouldn't take this as a failure on your part. Life gets in the way sometimes.

-Mary

HI,

What if you switched the date? The following Monday just might work out better, because I twisting trying to make this Monday work (somewhat).

Regards,

The next Monday a whole different set of people would have issues

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

What if you switched the date? The following Monday just might work out better, because I twisting trying to make this Monday work (somewhat).

Regards,

Postponing for one week is on the table.

How's May 18 for people? Thoughts?

I wouldn't be able to make it on the 18th either. My general thought is that we should stick with the second Monday of the month regardless of group size. It's still worth it.

The GP wrote:I wouldn't be able to make it on the 18th either. My general thought is that we should stick with the second Monday of the month regardless of group size. It's still worth it.

I do think we should keep the date the same (though personally, I'd prefer the 3rd Monday of the month over the 2nd)

The getting together is always worth it! I was going to say it wasn't worth it for the exchange of 4 small dinners, but we could just do the usual big cook anyway, and exchange two instead of just one, if there are only 4 of us.

leek wrote:

The GP wrote:I wouldn't be able to make it on the 18th either. My general thought is that we should stick with the second Monday of the month regardless of group size. It's still worth it.

I do think we should keep the date the same (though personally, I'd prefer the 3rd Monday of the month over the 2nd)

The getting together is always worth it! I was going to say it wasn't worth it for the exchange of 4 small dinners, but we could just do the usual big cook anyway, and exchange two instead of just one, if there are only 4 of us.

I'll leave it open for a little while longer, but I have to say that I am leaning the other way. I'm just not sure the process is worth it if we are only coming home with 3 exchanged meals. But, I agree that dinner with you fine folks at a place like Salam is still a great idea.

Like I said, I'll leave it open for more comments for a few more hours, then make a decision.

--Rich

Well, I'm afraid it is time to pull the plug on this month's exchange. I'll PM participants, just to be on the safe side.

With only 4 people signed up to exchange, I think it is best to just cancel it. I will put up a new thread for the June edition soon.

I am game, however, for a group meal at Salam on Monday. Please post as to whether you would still like to join in for that.

--Rich

Bummer.
We're still in for dinner tho...