Hosting

DineAround cannot happen without our hosts – without YOU!

What does it mean to be a host?

  1. Dinnertime is 7:15 to approx. 10:00 p.m.
  2. Hosts donate the cost and preparation of dinner with wine/beverages.
  3. Dinner menu should include some starter course/s of your choice and entrée with sides. (hors d’oeuvres and dessert are served at the Opening & Dessert receptions.)
  4. Seating capacity ranges from 6 to 8 guests, for a total of 8-10 per home.
  5. Invitations to the event will be sent in January.

Are you considering being a first time host, but don’t know what to expect?

We have past hosts available to mentor you, if desired, and will help you with whatever you need to make your experience a happy one!

What are everyone’s expectations?

Please don’t worry about any expectation of a gourmet meal. People welcome a warm and hospitable experience & tasty home cooking. Folks attend to support WECA and to have a whole evening experience with neighbors & friends.

Will I miss out being a host?

Hosts are invited to attend the Opening and Dessert Receptions as our guests, and are also invited to a complementary Hosts’ Reception on Sunday, January 26th, 2020 from 4 to 6 pm., where hosts will have the opportunity to meet, socialize and share information and ideas.

I still have some questions, who can I contact?

Whether you are a repeat Host, or interested in hosting for the 1st time, please send an email to dinearound@wecahartford.org, and let us know your name, address, and the available number of seats at your home. We will confirm participation of all hosts by mid-January.

Hints for Hosts

  1. Try to plan your dinner preparation so you can attend the Opening Reception, at least for a little while.
  2. As your guests arrive, it’s nice to provide a small glass of wine or sparkling wine as guests will not all arrive at once. A light munchie is fine with this but nothing extravagant – they have been eating hors d’oeuvres. Keep this time to a minimum.
  3. You are expected to do first course such as a soup or salad, and a main course with sides. Some hosts do more than one starter course; it’s up to you, what you do will depend on your own style and what works with your meal.
  4. Have more wine than you think you’ll need. One of the most frequently posted comments from past hosts is that they went through a LOT of wine! Still, do be aware that, while not many, there are a few guests who don’t drink at all, and there are some beer drinkers as well. ***Hint: white wine neutralizes red wine spills
  5. As much as possible, choose food you can prepare in advance, so you can minimize kitchen time and maximize social time.
  6. Hire someone, whether a young person – family member, babysitter, friend, neighborhood teenager – or a professional to help serve & clean up. It adds a nice touch and will help you be relaxed.
  7. The best ice-breaker/conversation starter is to go around the table and introduce yourselves and tell what brought you to the West End; this has led to lots of interesting exchanges among guests. Another good strategy is not to seat couples together. Most hosts do place cards to arrange seating. Some do printed menus or other special tablescape touches.
  8. Dessert: We encourage you and all your guests to attend, or at least have the opportunity to attend dessert. Some guests will opt out, but make sure everyone can go if they wish. This means finishing dinner at a reasonable time – no arrival at dessert before 10 (in consideration of the Dessert Hosts), but remember that the dessert hosts will be ready to welcome all of us, so please don’t get people there too late either; it’s a bit of a delicate balance. One favorite story we have is of a dinner host who, after a few attempts by himself and his wife to get the group moving – left the table, got his coat on, and said, “Well, we’re heading to dessert, so I think you all have to leave too!”– to lot’s of laughter and a successful exodus.
  9. Keep track of expenses for tax purposes; after the dinner you will have the opportunity to report the total to the WECA Treasurer, and they’ll be happy to give you a letter, which can be used to deduct them on your taxes. We will not need and don’t want your receipts, only a total dollar amount.
  10. Relax and enjoy yourselves and your guests.

Wine Discounts

Mention you are hosting DineAround the West End at any of these shops below to receive a discount on your purchase.

Cheers Wine & Spirits
772 Farmington Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06119
Receive state minimum pricing.

More coming soon!