Host

What hosts do:

  • Sign up to host, indicating the number of guests you can accommodate
  • Coordinator calls with guest list on Sunday or Monday.
  • Decide what you want each guest to bring (couples bring two items).
  • Call guests by Tuesday night if possible.
  • Give guests the time, directions, your phone number, and what to bring
  • Let Coordinator know if you can?t reach someone

Frequent Questions About Hosting:

How can I set up my apartment/house to host? You should tell the Coordinator how many guests your home can accommodate. If you can arrange the dining set up to accommodate a range of guests, please indicate this as well when you sign up to host. For instance, some hosts serve a buffet and let guests hold their dishes in their laps. Others will use a formal dining room set up.

What does the host serve? Usually the host will provide a main entrée and all the necessary dinnerware. The host may provide a non-alcoholic drink such as tea and make coffee after dinner.

How does the host determine what to have the guests bring? There are no rules and different hosts handle this differently. We suggest requesting a food type rather than a specific dish since cooking abilities and preferences vary. For instance, for a host and five guests, the host might provide the entrée and assign the guests to bring an appetizer, a salad, a vegetable, a desert, and a bottle of wine. If you wish to plan a theme dinner, you may discuss it with your guests so they might be able to follow the theme.

Are children invited? We hold adult dinners because many hosts do not have play areas for children or homes that are child-safe.

What if someone cancels? If a guest calls to cancel prior to the supper, it can throw a wrinkle into your meal composition, but we encourage you not to over-compensate. We suggest that you say that if the individual can still bring their dish before the supper, it will be appreciated. However, in the case of illness, car trouble, and the like, this will not be possible. Hosts sometimes feel it necessary to make an alternative dish, but most often the dish will not be missed.

Can the host contact the guests by email rather than phone? It is suggested that the host contact the guests initially by phone because not all participants check email regularly.

What if the host cannot reach a guest on the list? Please let the Coordinator know that you are having trouble reaching a guest?she may have an alternate number.