There are several ways to deal with costs. The methods differ based on the type of club, how formal it is, and how much control the host wants. A simple way to split out the costs is to follow the formula used in “The Classic Club” example it the book.
Costs
Costs for making the dishes are tracked by each couple. At the end of the evening, all costs for food and wine will be totaled then divided equally among the four couples, with each couple paying one-fourth of the total meal cost.
Cost Example
| |
Costs |
|
Avg. Cost |
|
Net |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Couple 1 (Hosts) |
$175.00 |
|
-$67.00 |
|
$108.00 |
| Couple 2 |
$35.00 |
|
-$67.00 |
|
-$32.00 |
| Couple 3 |
$15.00 |
|
-$67.00 |
|
-$52.00 |
| Couple 4 |
$43.00 |
|
-$67.00 |
|
-$24.00 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
$268.00 |
|
-$268.00 |
|
$0.00 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Average Cost |
$67.00 |
|
|
|
|
It is amazing how costs are virtually never an issue. With a little planning and discretion, supper clubs are economical even for the more cost conscious. You can have a good meal and social event for less than $70 per couple. The cost driver is usually the alcohol. The rule we have followed is to target “reasonably” priced wines. Although participants have defined “reasonable” differently, on average we have probably been in the $20-a-bottle range, though there have been notable exceptions for costs and quantities. I can tell you that our young kids did once question the number of wine bottles in the recycling bin after one particularly fun event.
With new people coming in and out of the club, there have been a few surprises. One new club member built in the cost of a pot she bought for the event into her total contribution. I can’t say that couple is still part of the club. The rule we have lived by is that if we incur a cost because we want to try something different or more expensive than the norm, we simply absorb that cost. With this said, some hosts are more popular than others.
