I have a list of people that I try to stay in touch with. If you are on that list, chances are you will be hearing from me, and, if you are really unlucky, you might have to put up with a culinary event like Stacy and Andrew Gordon did recently.

My daddy said to tell you that he beat you like a drum on your birthday. That message was delivered by a clever little 10-year-old with a twinkle in her eye. Even at 10 she was in on the fun. The sad truth is that her dad, Jerry MacDonald, did beat me like a drum pretty regularly on the golf course. That memory, and a history of fun evenings led to a culinary event at Stacy and Drew Gordon’s in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago.

Stacy and Jennifer at Age 10

The Kenny- MacDonald history is rooted in the friendship of Stacy and our daughter Jennifer. Both families moved to Memphis in 1990. We got to know each other through our daughters which has led to a lot of golf and even more fun evenings around the dinner table. The MacDonalds moved to Houston in 1996, but we have kept in touch because of those 2 little girls that are now great mothers and excellent candidates to be the next generation to enjoy supper clubs.

Susan and I were heading to Chicago for a wedding. Six years ago, we were in Chicago for a wedding and had a fun dinner with the newly married Andrew and Stacy at my chef friend Dean Zanella’s restaurant. Fast forward to today and we found a much different couple. Today they are the head of a growing family. Five-year-old Mack (named after my drum beating buddy) and three-year-old Brooke are the centers of their world. Knowing that dinner at a restaurant isn’t the same with the young family. I offered to host a culinary evening at their home. Poor Stacy was probably wasn’t too sure what she was getting her family in for.

We arrived at 2:30 in the afternoon with a parcel of goodies sourced from markets in one of the best culinary cities in the world. The afternoon was spent cooking in the kitchen with the whole crew. The highlight of the day for me was getting to interact with Mack and Brooke as they peeled garlic and tasted croutons, helping with the preparation.

 

Mack helping me cook

Stacy Gordon Dinner Menu (Click on highlighted item for recipe

• Antipasti Platter
• Kraft Mac N Cheese (for the kids)
• Chopped Romaine Wedge Salad* With Mom Mom’s Vinaigrette
• Grilled NY Strip With a Herb infused Compound Butter
• Eataly Squash Ravioli With a Sage Brown Butter Sauce
• Sorbet With Fresh Berries And Maple Syrup

Note: *Jennifer calls this the “Three Hour Salad”. She says that while it is one of her favorites, that I should try making it with 3 young kids hanging onto you. The preparation involves frying bacon, making croutons, slicing and dicing lettuce, olives, tomato, onion and making a homemade vinaigrette. What usually takes me 30 minutes, can take a busy mother of young children Three Hours. For the record it was Stacy’s favorite item on the menu. Prep time can be cut dramatically with store bought croutons and precooked bacon. The key ingredient and a must for flavor, is Mom-mom’s vinaigrette

The Crew At Dinner

Mack is very happy with his Mac N Cheese

Stacy and Andrew’s home is perfect for a supper club. I promised to host a celebrity chef supper club fund raiser for Stacy’s favorite charity. Sometimes being Stuck With Me can be an excuse for a fun evening. So let me know if you want me to host an Impromptu Friday Night.

If you enjoyed this blog and similar other stories/supper club lessons follow me on Facebook and Twitter and subscribe to get future blogs at www.impromptufridaynights.com/blog and check out my book Impromptu Friday Nights a Guide to Supper Clubs. Published by Morgan James Publishing and available through most channels where books are sold.

Stacy, the creative mom, went all out for Halloween Decorations