\"\"

The SITS Girls

The Secret to Success is Support

How To Eat: Filling the Seats at Your Table

·

This post may contain affiliate links which may give us a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Gianna is back today, explaining how eating is really enjoyed most when in the company of others and how to get more people to your table…

just eat

When participating in a graduate program in food studies, most extracurricular activities involve the obvious: food. If an event doesn’t immediately include food, it will more often than not end with it. (i.e., a group project that finishes in homemade Pad Thai) Needless to say, there has been a lot of cooking and eating during my year in Italy. Something that I have seen time and again is that you don’t need a masterfully crafted reason to get together for a meal.

how to eat

As a steadfast planner, this has been a healthy and beneficial experience for me. The random and unanticipated gatherings have shown me that I don’t always have to be prepared. Any reason is a good reason to sit down with others and eat, whether or not I all ready have a recipe in mind or ingredients in the cupboard. So, based on a year of adding an extra plate to the table at the last minute and carrying one-pot dishes across town for parties (no car in small-town Italy), I have realized that the following are foolproof ways to add more guests to your table.

1. Cook together: Pick a dish to try cooking or divide up who prepares what for a meal. Even better is combining ingredients with others. I have had my fair share of “I live alone” or “I need to clean out my refrigerator” dinners.

2. Assign a theme to your meal: You wouldn’t believe the reasons for eating you could think up when you let your creativity loose. Chinese New Year. Seafood stew dinner from an old Gourmet issue. Gelato tasting. Meals can be as diverse as the ingredients you put into them.

3. Shop farmers’ markets or specialty stores: Nothing sparks motivation or appetite like passing a few hours browsing fresh ingredients. Plus, some of the best cooking tips are offered by the people from whom you buy food.

4. Gardening: Spring is officially here. Let the planting begin. Start a backyard garden or find a local urban garden to which you can contribute.

5. Visit local food producers: If possible, help out on community farms or simply ask to take a tour. Most small food producers of all types appreciate the public interest and will eagerly speak with you about their operations.

how to eat

From my various encounters at the table, the most important message that I have taken away is not to hesitate or waste any time. There will always be something pulling you away–work, family, school. But that’s just it. These things are always here no matter what, but the next opportunity to determine which gelato you prefer most between five different brands might not be.

About Francesca

Francesca has an extensive background in content marketing, public relations, and social outreach. She oversees all Operations at Sway Group, including our robust metrics capabilities. Prior to joining the online world, Francesca oversaw viticulture and oenology at various wineries in both California and Italy, and managed regulatory affairs and facility approvals at the biotech company, Genentech. Francesca has been featured on CBS Sacramento and Food Blogger Pro’s podcast. She has also hosted an AMA webinar and spoken at Social Media World.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lady Jennie says

    In France eating is very important too. But I bring my American side to the table when I make big quantities. I had to think people will leave my table hungry. I love cooking for others.

  2. Joanne says

    enjoyed your focus on how spontaneity can build and sustain social bounds with our family and friends … loved the gelato tasting party idea1

  3. Karen @ Time Crafted says

    We love to entertain when BBQ’ing, but admit we haven’t done many dinner parties that don’t involve a grill. Friends have been to and really enjoyed some sushi making parties and I think that sounds like oodles o’ fun! :>

  6. Lisa says

    Great pictures and love the post! I love to cook and especially bake and I’m part of a once a month dinner club with some friends. We pick a celebrity chef and cook from their recipes for a potluck dinner. I take pictures and blog about it too. : ) It’s really fun and we all look forward to getting together every month.

  15. beenomom says

    I just loved the dinner setting. What a great idea having a different decorative plate for every place. I never thought of that. I’m a little lacking in the original ideas department!!

  17. Erin says

    I really would like to entertain more myself, but often get so caught up in deep cleaning the entire house thinking that everything has to be perfect, and I get so burnt out preparing for it, I hardly get to enjoy it. When you think about it though…that stuff really doesn’t matter all that much to guests. They come for good food and good company. Great post…put’s things in perspective

  19. Marie Cole says

    My Mom has been a good role model of this for me…Sharing a meal is always nice. 🙂

    On a personal note….
    Would love to invite you all over to my humble little blog, where I share, inspire and guide in all things design.

    Have a wonderful weekend! :)))

  21. luci gabel says

    Thanks for that. I used to be really scared to have people over for dinner parties – things would have to be just right… my place would have to be super clean and I would need to know in advance what I was cooking. Since I’ve realized life is too short to be so planned and perfect and most of the time people just like the food and company!