Communal Meals

[Full Member]

Communal Meals

I enjoy meets/gatherings/rallies and especially like them when we eat together whether that be in a pub, around a camp fire or in a marquee. In my view food is at it's best when shared over conversation or banter.
The communal meals I've had with WC have generally been where one or two people take on the task of planning then buying the ingredients then preparing and serving the meal. And of course cleaning up afterwards. Quite a workload for a few.
It strikes me that we could perhaps do this as individuals, bringing our individual meals and tables to a central point and then banqueting together as one group. Food can be shared or swopped with others if individuals wish.
And no bulky communal equipment would be needed.
Has this been done before and, if so, did it work?

Colin ???

 

[yorkslass]

I've yet to go to a new year meet, but I think that's what happens then. The only problem is, that it still has to be planned so you don't get too much of one thing.

In general, I think it probably works best when there are only a few people.

Last summer, at the meet Channa organised, he fired up a BBQ. We all took what we wanted to eat and some extra to share. It seemed to work well.

 

[Full Member]

I've yet to go to a new year meet, but I think that's what happens then. The only problem is, that it still has to be planned so you don't get too much of one thing.

In general, I think it probably works best when there are only a few people.

Last summer, at the meet Channa organised, he fired up a BBQ. We all took what we wanted to eat and some extra to share. It seemed to work well.

Thanks, yorklass. I was thinking of doing this outside when weather permits and without planning with everybody bringing what they personally would like to eat. Sharing food is less important to me (though those that want to obviously can) than communal eating. I used to do this with friends and family in France. As you say, probably better with smaller rather than larger groups. I've hosted up to 50. It was great fun and no one person was overloaded with work.
We usually BBQ-ed with a relatively small number of BBQs. Channa style, I guess.
I'd appreciate other's views.

Colin ???

 

[jeffmossy]

Thanks, yorklass. I was thinking of doing this outside when weather permits and without planning with everybody bringing what they personally would like to eat. Sharing food is less important to me (though those that want to obviously can) than communal eating. I used to do this with friends and family in France. As you say, probably better with smaller rather than larger groups. I've hosted up to 50. It was great fun and no one person was overloaded with work.
We usually BBQ with a relatively small number of BBQs. Channa style, I guess.
I'd appreciate other's views.

Colin ???

Yes you are spot on Colin ,even ordering food ie fish & chips isn't as easy as what people think , you first have to find a local chippy that will cater for us, then take all the orders ,then take the payments , then ring the order through , then people change their, order also new arrivals come and decide they want to order , any how you can see were I am coming from . I am thinking about a BBQ night for the Easter wales meet if you are attending it would be great to have your help . Jeff

 

[Deleted member 155]

We have done it many times but it the organised bit that will F*** it up !
Best if it happens impromptu really as seems to work better also you will get some skank turning up with out of date old rubbish then eating all the best stuff !
Burgers and sausage are not acceptable they do not fall into the category of being edible, lol :Wink_Emoji:
p.s
Chicken wings ,drumsticks, and thighs are dog food .

 

[Deleted member 155]

On a more serious note I tend to only eat food when I know who's van it has come from !
Having so spent my life working in people's houses the things you see are quite unbelievable, we even refuse tea in some places !
we have dogs but they do not help prepare the food as some seem to , they also have their own bowls and are never allowed to touch our plates or utensils.
A communal buffet to me is a total nightmare not something I like at all .
I have got better than I was because at one point if someone had taken a chip off my plate they would be given the remainder as I wouldn't touch it afterwards, strange really as I was brought up by the worlds worst cook !
The idiot social workers asked if my Mum could cook for herself when she had Alzheimer's at 86 I said " She couldn't F'ing cook when she was 40 are you going to teach her now then ? "

 

[CardMaker]

Charlie never change I love your posts

 

[Full Member]

Yes you are spot on Colin ,even ordering food ie fish & chips isn't as easy as what people think , you first have to find a local chippy that will cater for us, then take all the orders ,then take the payments , then ring the order through , then people change their, order also new arrivals come and decide they want to order , any how you can see were I am coming from . I am thinking about a BBQ night for the Easter wales meet if you are attending it would be great to have your help . Jeff

Thanks for that, Jeff. Obviously it's a tried and tested formula.
I'm unsure about the Easter meet in Wales just yet and probably won't know until nearer the time. If there are spaces at that time I'd be really happy to help.

Colin ???

 

[Full Member]

We have done it many times but it the organised bit that will F*** it up !
Best if it happens impromptu really as seems to work better also you will get some skank turning up with out of date old rubbish then eating all the best stuff !
Burgers and sausage are not acceptable they do not fall into the category of being edible, lol :Wink_Emoji:
p.s
Chicken wings ,drumsticks, and thighs are dog food .

That's a really insightful, helpful and supportive input, Charlie. Please be aware of just how appreciative we all surely are.
It would help enormously if you could please let us know what culinary offerings would satisfy your sophisticated palate together with any preferences as to style of presentation and degree of cooking. I'm confident that whoever prepares your dishes will then do their utmost to satisfy your exacting requirements.

Colin ???

 

[Deleted member 155]

We went to a communal BBQ while in Portugal and nearly everybody there was French, except for another UK couple.
It was a fish BBQ and the bloke from the other couple had been one of the fishermen who caught the catch. The BBQ had only been organised during that day and we had been out, therefore our invite was very late. We were therefore, unable to cook anything as not enough time, so we took lots of snacks and lots and lots and lots of wine for everybody to share.
The French hogged the food, did not share and even gave the Brit fisherman one fish to share between him, his wife and us!
never again, with the French!
We and the other couple were disgusted!:Grinmacing_Face_Emo:Grinmacing_Face_Emo:The_Sun_Emoji:

Plenty of Brits that do the same , bring crap and eat all the good stuff !

 

[Full Member]

On a more serious note I tend to only eat food when I know who's van it has come from !
Having so spent my life working in people's houses the things you see are quite unbelievable, we even refuse tea in some places !
we have dogs but they do not help prepare the food as some seem to , they also have their own bowls and are never allowed to touch our plates or utensils.
A communal buffet to me is a total nightmare not something I like at all .
I have got better than I was because at one point if someone had taken a chip off my plate they would be given the remainder as I wouldn't touch it afterwards, strange really as I was brought up by the worlds worst cook !
The idiot social workers asked if my Mum could cook for herself when she had Alzheimer's at 86 I said " She couldn't F'ing cook when she was 40 are you going to teach her now then ? "

That final paragraph had me in stitches, Charlie. Brilliant!

Colin ???

 

[Deleted member 155]

That final paragraph had me in stitches, Charlie. Brilliant!

Colin ???

Perfectly true that's the sad part ! Lmao

 

[Caz]

Not being much of a meat eater, I tend to avoid barbecues and communal meals.

But I enjoy getting together with others for a pub or restaurant meal.

 

[Full Member]

Not being much of a meat eater, I tend to avoid barbecues and communal meals.

But I enjoy getting together with others for a pub or restaurant meal.

If it's to your liking and I get the opportunity I'd be happy to BBQ some skewered veg for you, Caz. I was a vegetarian for most of my thirties.
And yes, pubs and restaurants work for me too.

Colin ???

 

[channa]

The meet I organised and really only organised the venue we pretty much went with the flow, we were lucky the weather was kind I managed to borrow a large commercial grill (thanks to those that cleaned it ) Also was an excellent farm shop adjacent so we all had a wander round and got what we fancied, and a couple of people put salads together. It definitely worked but we were a small group of 8 vans I think, Much larger group I don't think it would have worked a bit more structure would be required...main thing everyone seemed to enjoy the evening

 

[Campervanannie]

For me the communal meals were great when they were either spontaneous or in my case I did the Rabbit stew because I enjoyed the pleasure of cooking-and sharing with my friends, then the meets got too big and more organised and it became a chore rather than a pleasure. But still love the informal communal meals at small gatherings

 

[yorkieowl]

We found that meets that we've been to in the past, not WC ones, it was good if there was one or two big firepit/bbqs and everyone brought their own stuff to cook, that way you eat what you have chosen, as has been said otherwise its the few who are doing the work for everyone, it becomes a chore, when you should be enjoying yourselves. We also share with friends, who they do the meal one night, and us the next, which is great as I hate cooking. Don't know if it would work with a big meet though.

 

[Full Member]

The meet I organised and really only organised the venue we pretty much went with the flow, we were lucky the weather was kind I managed to borrow a large commercial grill (thanks to those that cleaned it ) Also was an excellent farm shop adjacent so we all had a wander round and got what we fancied, and a couple of people put salads together. It definitely worked but we were a small group of 8 vans I think, Much larger group I don't think it would have worked a bit more structure would be required...main thing everyone seemed to enjoy the evening

Thanks for that input, Channa. I hadn't planned on using a super-large grill but having a few of the family sized ones most of us carry. Food for thought.

Colin ???

 

[Full Member]

For me the communal meals were great when they were either spontaneous or in my case I did the Rabbit stew because I enjoyed the pleasure of cooking-and sharing with my friends, then the meets got too big and more organised and it became a chore rather than a pleasure. But still love the informal communal meals at small gatherings

Had rabbit stew last night, Annie! It's a Canarian speciality and you have the edge on this one so get yer arse over here and open a restaurant.
(Notice the inclusion?)

I'm thinking smaller meets - nothing like those at Rutland. I'm in awe of the catering team that takes on that sort of meal.

Colin ???

 

[Full Member]

We found that meets that we've been to in the past, not WC ones, it was good if there was one or two big firepit/bbqs and everyone brought their own stuff to cook, that way you eat what you have chosen, as has been said otherwise its the few who are doing the work for everyone, it becomes a chore, when you should be enjoying yourselves. We also share with friends, who they do the meal one night, and us the next, which is great as I hate cooking. Don't know if it would work with a big meet though.

I'm thinking along similar lines, yorkieowl, though not with one cooking facility but several smaller commercial types. That sort of approach is likely to be acceptable on a campsite.

Colin ???