Our local area (Peterborough, Stamford, Oundle, Deepings, Whittlesey etc) is blessed with a wide variety of restaurants serving food from around the world; Italian, Indian, Nepalese, Caribbean, Polish, French, Chinese, Thai etc… not forgetting English!
This group is not only a ‘foodie’ group, but also has socialising and conversation at its heart. Hence, varying seating ‘plans’ will be encouraged, to aid meeting and chatting to new friends. There will generally be an event on the second Thursday, (but sometimes the third Thursday) and in most months, to cater for the high level of interest shown by members, a second event at the same venue will also be offered, usually the Tuesday or Wednesday following.
Each month a preference form will be emailed to members with details of what is being offered to the group this month and to input preferences and availability using a google form.
We started generally booking the tables for 7:30. However, we found that many members preferred eating earlier so we now offer 4 options and including a 6:00 start as well as a 7:30 on each nights. This also reduces the load on the restaurant kitchen and gives more choice to members. We do try to give members their preference. We do however look at the numbers for viability and reserve the option to not put a particular event on. Those that were on this event are offered to move if they have not given another availability.
To cover deposits for bulk bookings of this nature, there will be a one-time-only returnable deposit and group subscription payment of £15 per person, details of which will be emailed to new members applying to join. Cost of meals met by each individual or couple.
The format of the events can vary depending on how the restaurant wants to deal with our numbers:
1/ Sometime free to choose on the night,
2/ Sometimes a fixed price sharing menu
3/ Sometimes a limited choice fixed price
4/ Sometimes a pre-ordered Menu.
There may be a numbers limit for attendance on some dates, depending on venue size and availability.
Members are given badges on arrival and are pre-allocated to tables to mix members up. As this is about social interaction we aim to avoid sitting with the same members (except partners of course) for as many months as possible.
