DineAround Host Stories
This a series of five stories from previous DineAround Hosts, each describing a different and unique approach to hosting a dinner for neighbors and friends at DineAround.
Host Story 1 : Tori Whaley
Tori had co-hosted DineAround previous years with friends but never on her own, rented home before.
Host Story 2 : Sarah Danley & Neal Hobson
Sarah and Neal moved to the West End just before DineAround 2023.
Host Story 3 : Blair & Jonah Hughes
Blair has Celiac Disease and Jonah is vegan.
Host Story 1 : Tori Whaley
Tori had co-hosted DineAround previous years with friends but never on her own, rented home before.
I love getting to know neighbors and preparing meals that make my guests feel honored and appreciated, so I knew I would want to participate. When I hosted in previous years, I mostly was not in my home. I prepared some of the food in my home and brought it in, then cleaned up after myself in my friends’ home. I had to think through preparing my own home for guests and communicating that, since I am on the third floor, there may be accessibility limits to my home.
The day-of logistics: I try to plan menus that allow me to attend the opening event and want things that are to everyone’s liking. I love the excuse to plan and prepare a nice, multi-course meal. I use it as a chance to polish one of my talents and hobbies. I love planning the tablescape, the flowers and table cloth, using my fancy glasses and china, all of the pieces. I love the excuse to try new recipes that don’t make sense in my daily life but are fun to make for others.
This year, I had vegetarian sushi rolls and dumplings for a starter, paired with a sparkling sake cocktail. I had miso soup and Japanese restaurant style salad for my appetizer course. 7 spice roasted chicken with garlic scallion rice and roasted vegetables for my main course. Then a passion fruit sorbet with mochi cake as a last bite. I also serve family style rather than plated meals to allow for guests to accommodate their own preferences.
If you are thinking about hosting: Go for it! It’s such a great way to meet your neighbors.
Host Story 2 : Sarah Danley & Neal Hobson
Sarah and Neal moved to the West End just before DineAround 2023.
We felt like hosting would be a great way to meet people and officially “open our house” to the world after we had settled in. We had met a couple of our neighbors, but we really didn’t know many people at all.
It was a little stressful knowing that people had paid to be at the event, so we didn’t see it as any typical party, and we really wanted to make it special. The most difficult thing was making sure that everything was ready at the same time (and stayed warm and ready to serve).
The thing we loved most about hosting was engaging with others and connecting with people again! And this event was particularly nice because it was a smaller group that you knew was going to show up. We had a group of 9, and it was just the right size for engaging conversations! And now having met those new faces, we see them out and about in the community and have met others through them, so.. mission accomplished!
We had a Tuscan theme and served caprese chicken (chicken with Campari tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, melted on top), with white rice, asparagus, salad, and rolls. I wished the asparagus had been a bit warmer, but I think overall the food was a hit. We also served Prosecco at the door and had a white and red Italian wine at the table, followed by a limoncello aperitivo. We also had bottled Italian waters and non-alcoholic flavored sparkling waters.
Our advice is to try to relax if you can and just enjoy the experience. We had some really fabulous guests, and the conversation flowed smoothly.
Host Story 3 : Blair & Jonah Hughes
Blair has Celiac Disease and Jonah is vegan.
We first hosted back in 2018. I have Celiac, so my kitchen needs to stay entirely gluten-free and my husband doesn’t eat meat, dairy or eggs. I wanted to make a meal that people would truly enjoy and nothing that screamed: “This is vegan and gluten-free!”
We decided to serve something we enjoyed eating ourselves. We went with a Mexican menu which was naturally gluten-free and vegan: Homemade chips and guac, a tortilla soup with plantains, black bean and green chili tamales with a 3-day mole sauce, and a grilled scallion and corn salad. We offered chipotle-infused mezcal margaritas as a cocktail and a variety of wines. To my surprise the Dine Around Committee actually informed me they’d be placing several guests at our home who were gluten-free and dairy-free! I had been worried our meal wouldn’t be “good enough” but ended up being thrilled that we could be a house that was able to accommodate guests’ dietary needs!
Now that I’ve joined the Dine Around Committee, I’ve discovered the thoughtful and in-depth process that the team goes through to place everyone, but especially neighbors who have allergies. Our amazing hosts fill out a form when they sign up. They tell us, generally, what their meal will be like and whether or not they can accommodate certain things. Some hosts can and some can’t – and while the committee cannot guarantee that we will be able to match a guest up with a host who can provide accommodation– we may be able to!
So, if you are thinking of hosting and have your own dietary limitations, don’t let that stop you! There may just be a neighbor out there who is waiting to match up with a host like you.