How is the best way to use food to help bond people with each other?

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Chef Mark (and anyone else), what are some excellant ways to use food to bring people together? I know that sometimes people have social gatherings for special occaisions, including funerals, holidays, and so on. My personal favorite ideas are potluck dinners, where people can exchange ideas or we used to participate in a Valentine Day cookoff when the men would cook desserts and the women would judge them. I am wondering what other ideas would be good?

[Chef Mark]

A ****tail party with lots of hors d'oeuvres.

[Chef Mark]

Apparently the forum's sensors blocked out the first syllable of my word above.

Let's try it this way:

a coktail party.

Ha Ha. There's always a way to beat the system. :D :D :D

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Chef Mark, I figured what you meant. hee hee hee It does that to us all the time.

[ajrsmom]

Tailgate parties! Not just for football any more but for any sport that you like! (Go Steelers!!)

How about a chili cookoff?

Fall Festivals that include desserts using apples--could make that a contest.

Bon fires or campfire gatherings



Love the Valentines Day idea! :D

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Tami, I hadn't even thought of tailgating! We are thinking about tailgating when we go to the races in November. This race won't start in the morning, so we will be able to cook something before the race. It is a great way to meet other people too.

[mamab]

I've never done any tailgating. I imagine it's a blast, though. Of course, I don't go to sporting events, so that might be why. ;)

[DeBora4BobbyL]

If you ever do go to a professional sporting event, be sure to tailgate for the added experience! You meet new people, share food, and play games. I don't know what it is like at football and other team related sports as the only experience I have is with NASCAR events. But, you do find others who are on your "team" or that aren't against your driver and you get to talk about the drivers (teams) and the rumors and so on that are related to the sport.

[VicRae]

DeBora,

My mom and dad live in a Residential apartment complex with 50 apartments. And every second Thursday of the month they have a Potluck Meal for all of the residents. Everybody signs up to bring a covered dish to share and brings their own table service.

They also have a Birthday party every first Thursday for the residents who have a Birthday that month.

And to make money for things they need in the building; They have a group cook food for a Luncheon every 2nd and 4th Thursday and charge for the meal.

Vicky

[echos]

I love the potlucks, but my very favorite is the Christmas parties with all the wonderful cookies and yummy goodies.Wasil too.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I agree. Pot lucks are the greatest!

[tater03]

Tailgating is so much fun to do. We are going to the game next weekend here and we always go early and set up in the parking lot. It is so much fun and there is a ton of food that people are willing to share.

[mamab]

I would say family reunions are a great way to maintain relationships, or bring family members back into the fold - so to speak. My family hasn't ever had a family reunion, but my husband's does, and it's really a great time to reconnect.

[ajrsmom]

Another great way --which is overlooked nowadays and IMO, it's too bad--is to welcome new neighbors into your neighborhood by planning a little welcoming party.