Mission (Such As It Is)

Cookbook Club exists to celebrate cooking, eating, and discussing food as though we are all food critics in training. After a full year together, we decided it was time to gather a few friendly guidelines for our group. Not to stifle creativity (perish the thought!), but to help give our meetings just enough structure to keep them exciting, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone who pulls up a chair at our table.

Article I: The Book & The Rule

• 1.01 The Manual: The chosen cookbook for the cycle is the sacred text. Everyone must at least skim the intro.

• 1.02 Rule Breaking: Perfection is not the goal. Members are authorized to ignore or substitute minor recipe instructions. If the dish fails, blame the sacred text, not the chef.

Article II: Membership & Attendance

• 2.01 The Requirement: Membership requires eating and a passing interest in cooking. 

• 2.02 The "Tasting Only" Pass: If you can't cook, you can attend, provided you contribute financially (e.g., wine fund) and offer loud, supportive commentary on everyone else's efforts. Tasters must please sign up, too. See Article IV, 4.01.

Article III: The Dinner Logistics

• 3.01 Potluck Rule: If your dish took five hours, it should be worth it. If it took five minutes (e.g., chips), you owe the five-hour chef excessive compliments.

• 3.02 Dishes & Serving: Plates, utensils, and linens provided by the host. If your dish requires special dishes or serveware (think tongs or bowls for soupy things), please bring!

• 3.03: Photo Mandatory: The entire feast must be photographed before anyone takes a bite. The most photogenic dish gets bragging rights.

• 3.04 Leftover Protocol: Leftovers are pooled and divided arbitrarily. BYO container!

Article IV: Meeting Etiquette

• 4.01 RSVPing: Please notify us of your presence and attendance on the sign-up sheet with three days' advance notice. This helps everyone scale their dish accordingly!

• 4.02 Punctuality (Suggested): Arrive on time, unless delayed by:

• Traffic.

• A moment of panic in the produce aisle.

• 4.03 Labeling: Dishes must be clearly labeled with:

• Title and page number.

• Necessary warnings and dietary notes (spicy, too much salt, vegan, eggs, etc).

• 4.04 Feedback Policy: Compliments are free. Critiques must be delivered gently.

Article V: The Bookstore Clause

• 5.01 Support Local: Members are expected to purchase the book from a local or independent bookstore.

• 5.02 Exceptions: You do not have to buy the book if:

• You already own it.

• You borrowed it from family who would be offended by a duplicate purchase.

• 5.03 Penalty for Price Shopping: Anyone caught buying a book on Amazon shall be required to bring dessert at the next meeting.