Updated:30-July-2024-RL A group for those wishing to cook socially, meeting from 6.00 - 8.00pm one evening each month. There are no set day/dates for meetings.
This informal group has great fun picking up cooking skills and tips from each other and enjoying recipes they maybe would not have come across before. It is aimed particularly at those with no great previous experience or ability. Expect something more like "Come Dine With Me" than "Masterchef" - without the scores! We include one of our recipes in each edition of Newsline, so do take a look at some of these more recent ones. (they may open in a new tab or window, or appear in "Downloads")
Members historically took it in turns to host and cook a two course meal in their own kitchens each month, the other members providing wine/beer/soft drinks to accompany the meal that we then ate together. We then met on "Zoom" throughout the pandemic, with us all cooking separately but simultaneously, under the direction of each month’s host. This arrangement proved to be so successful that we now alternate between ‘live’ and "Zoom" meetings.
Unfortunately the need to meet in members’ kitchens limits the maximum number of members to 6. Anyone wishing to join the group above this number will be put on a waiting list. If numbers permit, then a second group will be formed.
Group Leader - Brian Platts
For the May 2022 meeting we experimented with another format: Rama, landlord of Southwell’s18th century Reindeer Inn for the past 11 years, agreed to join the group as ‘guest chef’ for May’s Zoom meeting.Originally from India, Rama learned his cooking skills travelling widely in both India and Europe. During the pandemic, heexpanded his culinary hobby by launching a takeaway curry service, which quickly became popular with locals. Under Rama’s expert instruction, the Come Dine with Us grouppreparedGhobi Pakoras and Khadai Chicken. Easy to cook and very tasty,they made a very welcome change from traditional British food. Wonderful, as the photos below indicate!
Previous sessions in members' kitchens have also been great fun:
The Group Leader really getting into the spirit of his world cooking!
Our Membership Secretary adding the finishing touches to his trifle. Wonder how much sherry it contains?
Just some of the dishes the group have produced. Well done lads!
Looking back to before Christmas 2020 and the guys (and dolls!) were already getting into the festive spirit!
Here are the group getting together on Zoom during 'lockdown' cooking Lamb Koftas and flatbreads. Looks good enough to eat! (11th June 2020)
The group have been known to invite their partners along:
Pre-lockdown get together to sample the men's cooking.
Think you might be interested in joining this group?
1. If you are not already a member of Southwell U3A but are interested in finding out more about this group and/or would like to attend one of their group meetings please click on the Contact Us link and let us know which group you are interested in. We will arrange for the Group Leader to get in touch with you as soon as possible.
2. If you are already a member of Southwell U3A and are interested in joining this group you can contact the Group Leader directly. Their details are in the Group Leaderspage in our Membership Area of the website. As a Southwell U3A member you will have received the password for the Members Area pages in Newsline. If you have forgotten the password please use the Contact Usfacility on this website to request the password.