Progressive Dinners

A "Progressive Dinner" is when a group of 6-15 people get together and go as a group from house to house..eating a full-coarse meal along the way. 

Four people (or couples) agree to welcome and serve in their home, one portion of the four coarse dinner to the guests.

The appetizer at the first home

The dinner salad at the second home

The main dish at the third home

The dessert at the fourth and final home

It really is a lot of fun! It is not that big of a deal to prepare just one portion of a meal even if it is for up to ten people. It's a great way to make new friends and get to know each other better.

The Smithsonian published this excellent article about the history of the soup kitchen (public mess hall).

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/food/2010/12/count-rumford-and-the-history-of-the-soup-kitchen/

And then there are those who believed that Al Capone set the first Soup Kitchen in motion:

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1660.html

YOU decide. I like both ideas.

Well, the season of major messing is over! Eggnog, Spinach Pom Poms and lots and lots of snacks were in the hall every turn of the Holiday! Here is hoping that 2012 turns out all good things for you, yours, and the Mess Hall Cook Book :)