So, after all the prep I did to get ready for the second Mi Casa-Su Casa preview dinner with the group of bloggers… it was game time! At promptly 6.3opm on Saturday there was a knock on the door! The bloggers were here! The bloggers were here!
The table is laid and the bloggers are arriving!
We enjoyed a lovely little half hour of cocktails and chatter and travel stories and the occasional flash from a camera. Then it was time to eat.
I’ll tell you right now, I’ve never fed a table full of more enthusiastic or complimentary eaters. It was a pleasure to bring each new course to the table. To share our inspiration and the history behind each dish. And to watch as our guests tucked into the food with gusto. Everyone should derive as much joy from eating as food bloggers do. The world would be a happier place.
The first course… Jethel’s baked trout with bacon and fennel seed potato salad.
Getting the main course ready was a bit of a drama as it took me far too long to get the vegetable oil properly hot for frying the chicken fried steaks. I spent a few minutes silently freaking out in the kitchen and tensely whispering to Andy that “This isn’t working. It’s not working. WHY won’t it work??” but then… it worked. And the oil got hot enough. And the steaks cooked quickly and well. And not one of our guests could tell that there had even been a slight hiccup. We just rolled right on.
After a momentary freak out, the chicken fried steaks are frying beautifully!
At about 9.30pm, after the main courses went out, but before we began heating up the components of the dessert, I poured myself my first glass of wine of the evening and took a deep breath. Andy was right next to me in the kitchen and we were silent. All I could hear was the laughter and happy voices of our guests, the click of knives and forks on plates and the refilling of wine glasses. Forgive me for seeming melodramatic, but it was like a symphony to me. I looked up at Andy and I said, “That’s it. That sound, the happy sound of well-fed people, that’s why I want to do this. That’s what this is all about.” Having people over for dinner is a lot of work and we’re not making money doing this. For me, it’s all about the rush I get from feeding people.
Plating up the strawberry shortcake. I’m seriously concentrating, huh??
After dinner Andy and I joined our guests at the table and chatted and laughed and told stories for over an hour. It was the perfect end to our evening. I think everyone should have a group of food bloggers over for dinner. It will give you a soaring sense of accomplishment.
I’m really looking forward to meeting lots of new and exciting people through this venture of ours. And, if you’ve already booked in for one of our meals… I can’t wait to meet YOU!
Awww SarahKate & Andy – we all had such a great time! I still get all warm & fuzzy when I think about Jethel’s trout….what a great story that was. And we had NO idea things weren’t going to plan with the Chicken Fried Steaks…in fact it didn’t seem like they took very long to come out at all. Loved every minute of my dinner at your home.
Miss Piggy- Wasn’t it fun?? I’m glad to hear that you couldn’t tell there was an issue with the chicken fried steaks! I’m a very good silent-freaker-outer!
I am so excited! Is it November yet??
For a silent freaker outer, as you say, you did it well. And y’know what? The outcome of your labours was stellar. Seriously. You rock. You both do!
Congrats on a successful night. Great to see none of the guests even noticed about the delay in the oil heating up.
Flick Your Food- It was such a fun night… once the oil heated up and I stopped having heart palpitations!
Aww sounds like a resounding success! Congrats and well done!
Helen- Thank you! At the end of the night I felt so good about it… it was a blast!
So cool. All the shots on Miss Piggy’s post looked so mouthwateringly good!
Christine- Miss Piggy did get some really excellent shots! She’s a great photographer… and a great dinner guest!
Dear SarahKate,
That is one serious look on your face but I believe it is one awesome party that you threw as well. Well done!!
ChopinandMysaucepan- I take desserts seriously!
It was a great party… and there are many more to come!
Sounds like an excellent result all round. Well done and i look forward to reading more about your escapades.
Congratulations! What a successful event – I really enjoyed Anna’s Instagram feed – each dish looked amazing!!!
Oh I must go check out their posts, I don’t think I’ve seen any go up so far but I’ll keep my eyes peeled
It sounds like a huge success and I think you’re very brave. That seemed to work so very well. Congrats to you on putting this on xx
I am still thinking about that dinner party. What a fantastic night and you and Andy were the perfect hosts. You were so calm and happy doing what you love. Can’t wait to come back for another dinner soon!