A few years ago I read a book by Jen Hatmaker where she described her supper club, and I loved the idea immediately. The premise is simple: invite friends, decide who will prepare which dishes, rotate the host, choose a theme, and let the evening unfold. A regular night to gather close friends, enjoy thoughtful conversation and savor delicious home-cooked food—why hadn’t this been part of my life already? I thought of a few couples who would enjoy the adventure, and that was the start of our supper club.
We launched with an Italian theme and met for the first time one Saturday night in 2016. We had no idea that more than two and a half years later we’d still be meeting monthly—sharing laughs, bottles of wine, some tears, and extraordinary meals. Committing to see the same people regularly builds something special in a busy life. Over time our friendships deepened: we celebrated new babies, moved houses, and weathered life’s highs and lows together. Supper club quickly became a highlight of the month for many of us.
Those evenings have included belly laughs that nearly turned into snorts, tears of joy and sorrow, and a good deal of learning—about cooking, hosting, and how to avoid ending the night with a sink full of disaster. We get to showcase our culinary experiments, expand our repertoires, and support one another through whatever each month brings. And yes, there’s wine and cocktails. That never hurts.
When we formed the group we agreed on a few ground rules to keep things enjoyable and manageable. We meet monthly and try hard to stick to the schedule. The hosting rotates, and we pick a theme or cuisine to guide the menu. Because we all enjoy drinks, we pair courses with a complementary wine, beer, or cocktail. The host prepares the main course and any accompanying sides; the other couples take appetizers and dessert. We’ve added a quarterly outing—an exception to the home dinner—when we try farm dinners, restaurant outings, or cooking classes.
Thinking of starting your own supper club? Here are practical tips based on our experience that will help you launch and maintain a vibrant monthly gathering.
Step by step to starting your own supper club:
- Choose your people wisely. Invite friends who get along and share an interest in food and conversation. Our group started with three couples who knew each other to varying degrees and who had a baseline interest in cooking. We settled on six members because it’s a manageable number for cooking, seating, and passing dishes. Six to eight people is ideal: fewer means more work per person, and more makes serving and conversation trickier.
- Schedule the next date before you leave. This rule has been crucial for our consistency. At the end of each supper club we pick the next date and put it straight into everyone’s calendars. This avoids the endless group-text coordination later. We aim for weekend nights, usually Saturdays, because preparing a big meal after a workday is exhausting.
- Pick a theme or menu. Themes make planning fun and focused. We’ve explored Italian, French, Mexican, Spanish, German, seasonal produce nights, and holiday appetizers and cookies. The host gets the final say on the month’s menu since they handle the main course. Be creative but choose something everyone feels comfortable attempting. Consider pairing courses with a single drink provided by the host to simplify logistics.
- Choose dishes that can be prepared ahead. To enjoy the evening instead of spending it cooking, pick foods that allow advance prep and easy reheating. When I’m the host I aim for at least part of the main to be made ahead. If a dish truly needs last-minute attention, recruit friends to help in the kitchen so you can still socialize.
- Decide how to handle kids. Some couples may bring young babies; others prefer babysitters once the kids are older and more active. We agreed to include infants who are still easy to manage, but when children get rowdier we often arrange childcare to preserve adult conversation. Talk openly with your group and set expectations that work for everyone.
- Be flexible. Life happens—babies are born, jobs get demanding, people travel. Rather than canceling, adjust plans. For example, when new parents couldn’t host, the other couples brought a simple, comforting meal so everyone could still gather. If someone is struggling, have another member host or bring extra dishes. The goal is to keep connection and continuity, not to add stress.
We’ve had recipe flops and dish piles rivaling Thanksgiving, but the rewards far outweigh the occasional chaos. Our supper club has deepened friendships, encouraged culinary growth, and provided a monthly space for meaningful conversation. If you’re thinking about starting one, do it—invite those friends, pick a date, and enjoy the process of creating regular, delicious connection.