Supper Clubs Are Going Global

The supper club concept is a good fit anywhere in the world. We recently had a wonderful evening with old and new friends in Puszczykowo Poland. Our Impromptu Sunday Night combined interesting people, amazing food and engaging conversation in a perfect setting. It was the perfect supper club dinner party.

Lucien and Ela Vendome hosted the evening in their wonderful new home. Lucien and I have been friends for many years. The book, Impromptu Friday Nights- A Guide To Supper Clubs is an offshoot of a question Lucien asked me after a fun evening in Memphis years ago. He said: “Lots of people write cook books, have you ever thought about writing a book about what you and Susan do with supper clubs?” It took over twenty years, but the book published this year is the genesis of Lucien’s question. So much of what I know about food and fine dining comes from lessons learned from this friend and culinary genius.

The menu for the evening was fantastic:

Hors d’Ouevre

• Tartellete aux champions (Marsala wine -cream – sage)
• Chaussons a la Polonaise (Caramelized onions – Parmesan – sausage)

Salmon Saltimbocca

• Pan seared – Beurre rouge – Parisian de celeriac – Melissa

Pork Medallions

• Cider honey Mustard glaze – Rosemary – Caramelized apples

Pommes de Terre Anna

• Butter – Chives

Roasted Root Vegetables

• Citrus and chive butter

Fondant aux Chocolat

• Crème Chantilly – Coulis de framboise – Melissa

For me, one of the most fun components of the evening was the preparation as it brought back so many fond memories. Lucien and I worked at Kraft years ago and had practice of:

• Lucien would stop by my office at 3 pm on a Friday afternoon asking if Susan and I were in town this weekend
• I would respond: “The usual suspects?”
• A quick call to Susan to get clearance and the invitation chain started
• Calls would go out to five couples at 4 pm.  The guys were traveling the world and normal scheduling was a nightmare. But, amazingly 9 times out of 10 everyone would show up at 7 pm to enjoy a  a la minute menu prepared by Lucien and myself.
• The meaning of “Impromptu Friday Nights” was born and a lifetime friendships and memories created.

The good news is that the ability to recreate these events continues with the evening at Villa Vendome a perfect example.

(Lucien & Paul bringing focus to the cooking)

The group for the evening brought together old and new friends. Lucien and Ela were hosting Susan and I for the weekend. Ela and Magda have known each other years having been professors together at Poznan University. Magda’s husband Paol is a former military attaché from Denmark, enjoying retirement as much as Lucien and I. Marta is a concert pianist and professor of music who lives in nearby Puszczykowo. The group was perfectly eclectic and conversations covered a gamut of topics. It was so much fun learning about each other’s lives and adventures. As the evening went on it seemed that no one wanted it to end. Old friendships were renewed and new friendships born.

One of the beauties of Lucien and I being old friends of a certain age is that we have heard each other’s stories many times but can’t remember them. We had lots of fun retelling them to the delight of each other and new friends (we hope). Fortunately, Ela and Susan put up with hearing the stories for the thousandth time.

Wherever you live in the world, give the supper club concept a try. Whether it is in Pittsburgh or Puszczykowo the concept works. The fun we had at Villa Vendome is the perfect testimony.

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.