Welcome!

If you are here, then the chances are we have something in common - good food and good company. As an 'empty-nester' I really miss the opportunity to cook for an appreciative mouth (not that my children were that appreciative when they lived at home, but, still..!). I have a terrific group of friends and we often invite each other around for impromptu meals which taste that much better for being shared. But maybe it's time to branch out.

The idea for this experiment came to me on a recent overseas trip. After two weeks of wonderful food and terrific company, I returned home wondering why the experience had to end. Whilst in London, I also stumbled across a quirky food show called 'Come Dine with Me' (which I've since learned is on pay TV here). Five strangers cook a three course meal for each other to win 1000 pounds. The meals seem to range from gorgeous gourmet to practically throw-away but everyone appears to have a good time and leave with plenty to talk about.

Now, I'm not competitive, and my mother always taught me "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." So, working on that premise, I'm proposing a social experiment which relies on good taste, good manners and good times mixed with a modicum of skill in the kitchen. Aimed at singles in their 50s and 60s, all participants would meet for a social function to break the ice and get the basic ground rules of the experiment. Then each participant will cook for their group a three course meal. There will only be the satisfaction of cooking and the thanks you recieve from your dinner guests as a reward, but hopefully, friends will be made and the experience will be a talking point for some time to come. This blog can be the focus for photos taken on the evening and accolades given to the various hosts. In the interest of kindness, we'll leave any criticism for a less public forum - after all, we all make mistakes!

Looking forward to 'Meeting & Eating' with many of you soon.