Topic: Come Dine With Me

[Cory Ander]

It doesn't really matter (at this stage anyway).  You know who they are, they know who they are, you both know that they are interested and other members can see that there is someone else in their area that is interested.

It's a good example of what I mean by potentially complicating things and potentially putting obstacles in the way.  Keep it simple.  If someone wishes to remain anonymous on this forum then that's their prerogative IMHO.

[George]

It's a good example of what I mean by potentially complicating things and potentially putting obstacles in the way.  Keep it simple.  If someone wishes to remain anonymous on this forum then that's their prerogative IMHO.

I agree about the need to keep things simple and that's what I'm trying to do. If I need hold a 'conversion table' of anon 1, anon 2 etc against members names, that's more complicated, I agree and just makes the map less interesting to look at. I agree also that the simplest way is to keep your own name, like I use George. It's putting an obstacle in the way to make up a name like Cory Ander as presumably derived from the spice Coriander. It's more complex and a deliberate obstacle.

[chriswg]

I don't see any problem with members wanting to be anonymous. I personally don't have a problem with having my name on it, and the map points a good 5 miles away from where I live. If more people sign up because they are able to be anonymous then the result will be better, there aren't many people putting their names forward anyway so lets not put anyone off.

[Cory Ander]

I agree also that the simplest way is to keep your own name, like I use George. It's putting an obstacle in the way to make up a name like Cory Ander as presumably derived from the spice Coriander. It's more complex and a deliberate obstacle.

 ;D  nahhhh, you just SEE it as an obstacle George 

[George]

;D  nahhhh, you just SEE it as an obstacle George 

On second thoughts it was a poor example of mine by way of retaliation for your comments! You never did give examples of obstacles for the dinner party idea, though. You may have had in mind my comment about family members not being welcome. Perhaps it is a bit unfair but, then again, nobody has said why they haven't yet signed up. If they did, we could address any objections. I suggest we can agree the minor logistics for each regional gathering, once we achieve the requisite numbers to make it viable.

[Cory Ander]

You never did give examples of obstacles

Yeah, sorry about that George.  My comments about complexity and obstacles were meant to be in a general sense (I can see that they might read differently!) in that we generally have difficulty getting things like this going (cooking lessons, in a BIR, is another example).  Apart from peoples' seeming general lack of interest, I think we do also often tend to over complicate things.

In this specific case, I think the following risk overcomplicating things (certainly at this stage) and risk putting obstacles in the way:

-  setting geographical areas (though that might be a practical thing to do)
-  setting a number of people required to make it happen
-  setting timescales of 12 - 18 months time (or any timescale, for that matter)
-  worrying about maps, sticking names on it and worrying about if it looks interesting or not
-  worrying about anonymity
-  worrying about "conversion tables" (whatever that is?)

I refer you to my previous response about keeping it as simple as possible.  My answer would be as follows:

a)  CA is interested

b)  Situated in Perth, WA

c)  Willing to travel 100km

d)  Yes, I'd be willing to host the first dinner

Thereafter, a simple table of people's responses should suffice at this stage.  There is one other in my area that is interested so I (we) could even run with that if necessary.

Sorry if I sounded negative or attacking, I'm otherwise fully supportive of the idea.

[George]

In this specific case, I think the following risk overcomplicating things (certainly at this stage) and risk putting obstacles in the way:

-  setting geographical areas (though that might be a practical thing to do)
-  setting a number of people required to make it happen
-  setting timescales of 12 - 18 months time (or any timescale, for that matter)
-  worrying about maps, sticking names on it and worrying about if it looks interesting or not
-  worrying about anonymity
-  worrying about "conversion tables" (whatever that is?)

CA - I'm very pleased that you're willing to be one of the forerunners for this idea in your area.  I'm reluctant to extend the google map to Australia, though, because I think the map will then be too stretched out. Perhaps you could set up a map for Australia if you think it's necessary, which it's probably not!

There really are no obstacles or complexities for this idea. Everything is up for discussion and agreement once we get enough people in a 'bunch' rather than a region. I'm not defining any regions at all. So far, everyone looks too spread out, which is the whole point of the map - to make it obvious. Chinois and me are the only people in one area. As for numbers, don't you think it takes at least 4 and up to 6 to make it viable and feel like a dinner party rather than a meal for two? It's also the approach on 'Come Dine with Me'. The timescale (12-18 months) is not an obstacle - I'm just being honest, given my own situation. I also think it might take quite a while to get enough people 'signed up'.

Why do you use the word 'worrying' three times:? I'm not worrying at all. The map is a useful visual aid. Why criticise that? Anonymous submissions are not allowed in lots of areas of life so I think I was right to question it. If I don't keep a simple list of any 'annons' against member names (I called it a conversion table!), how else are we to keep track?

[Cory Ander]

I'm reluctant to extend the google map to Australia, though.....perhaps you could set up a map for Australia if you think it's necessary

Noooooooo!  I'm sure it's not necessary George! 

As for numbers, don't you think it takes at least 4 and up to 6 to make it viable and feel like a dinner party rather than a meal for two?

I think the more the merrier but, I feel two is preferable to the alternative of none! 

The timescale (12-18 months) is not an obstacle - I'm just being honest, given my own situation

I think you should leave it to the "group" and that they should do it sooner rather than later.  12 to 18 months down the road is simply too long IMHO.  1 or 2 months maybe?  Or even weeks?

why do you use the word 'worrying' three times:?

Cos I like to repeat myself and I worry about you worrying about trivia? 

The map is a useful visual aid. Why criticise that?

Yes it is George, but it's also a means to an end and not the means itself.

Anonymous submissions are not allowed in lots of areas of life so I think I was right to question it

Who cares?  If it prevents it from happening, don't "worry" about it!  oooops!  Sorry! 

If I don't keep a simple list of any 'anons' against member names (I called it a conversion table!), how else are we to keep track?

Yes, I understand that you would need to correlate "anons" with cr0 user names.

[Razor]

Hi guy's,

Having never watched "come dine with me" what would be the format?  Starter, Main and pudding?  I don't know any BIR puddings, or at leat, I've never had one.   

Would it be the host's choice of menu or would we provide a choice of menu in advance?

If the guest list was upto 6 people, over what time scale would we be talking to conclude the "round robin"  One each concecutive weekend, for me, would seem too close together!  I would suggest 1 every 1 - 2 months.

How do members feel about pre-prepairing the dishes, or would it be better to cook the dishes in front of the guest's.  If the latter is the preferred way, that would put the fear of god into me as I don't think that I could do more than one main at a time plus, it would take me at least an hour to complete all mains from the first to last, too long IMHO.

Another thing that occured to me is, would we be expecting to cook our "own" recipes or is it fine to use other members recipes or at least a few elements?   My nightmare would be that I use one of Jerry' recipes for example, and then Jerry ends up being on of my guest's, and I absolutely murder his dish 

I have got a few building projects on at the moment but, I've run the idea past the missus and she didn't responed by calling me a Knob ed so I would be interested later rather than sooner though!

Razor
Manchester
UK

[George]

Having never watched "come dine with me" what would be the format?  Starter, Main and pudding?  I don't know any BIR puddings, or at leat, I've never had one. 

Razor - I can only answer your questions in line with the outline idea/concept of this, as kicked off by me. Final details for each bunch of people can be agreed later and may well vary. The overall objective is simple: between 2 and 6 people get together and agree to cook BIR style food for each other in turn. Do watch 'Come dine with me' on TV - it's on all the time. That's just about the only aspect I'm borrowing from the TV prog, though.

I generally provide starter, main and pudding (e.g. homemade kulfi) but that's for each host to decide. It will be wholly the host's choice of menu but I guess they could check if anyone is allergic to, or hates, certain dishes. I suggest the aim is to serve up the best food you can, to try and impress.  I agree that meet-ups somewhere between every other weekend and every 1-2 months would seem about right, but that's for each group to decide. I also suggest it might be expected to prepare the main course dishes in front of the guests, just like the BIRs do. I agree that's a challenge but how can it take an hour if you're following a BIR type approach. You could cook 2 dishes at a time, like they do. I don't know if I can do that though, because I've never tried. You're right to be concerned. That's the challenge and the fun. We'll see who can deliver. I think it's essential to be allowed to cook 'other members' dishes. But because of all the changes and interpretations, I bet the results vary. Do sign-up, and that's only as far as a provisional expression of interest, with no commitment at all!