Gourmet on the Go

Gourmet on the Go is the name that the Guild uses to feature a series of festive events sponsored by generous hosts in more intimate settings. Each host picks their theme, location, menu, and the number of guests that can be accommodated. Over the years these have included wine dinners, teas, sports outings, musical entertainment and much more. Many have been in private homes.

The Guild is working on the events for 2019. Details of several events are in the final stages and several others will be announced soon. Watch this space for more details as they are completed. If you have questions or wish to volunteer, please contact Carolyn Szoke at cszoke@fastmail.fm or 937/335–2610.

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Glories of Gracious Glendale

Visit the splendor of a magnificent home in the heart of Glendale at 933 Congress Avenue. Carolyn and Joe Szoke will host an evening of gracious hospitality in their remodeled home in the northern Cincinnati suburbs. Enjoy a gourmet dinner with paired wine selections on August 24 from 6 until 10 p.m. Mike Taint from the Dayton Opera Chorus will be on hand sing favorite songs from South Pacific and Porgy and Bess. Space is limited so reserve early.

Cost of the event is $125 per person. Space is limited so reserve early.  Mail your check to Charlotte Brown, 6520 N. Montgomery County Line Road, Englewood, Ohio 45322. Click here if you wish to make on online reservation. Attire is evening casual.

Past Events

Rosés on the Patio

It was a perfect summer evening on the patio of the gracious home of Margarete and Craig Jennings on Friday, June 14. Craig tapped into his wine cellar to select a variety of lovely rosés and other vintages for the enjoyment of his guests. Margarete made an array of luscious hors d’oeuvres to nibble. They were full of seasonal flavors and exotic nuances.

Topping off the evening was guest vocalist Stephanie Voelker from the Dayton Opera Chorus who sang some popular show tunes from The King and I, Thoroughly Modern Millie and more. She was accompanied by Heather Perritt on the keyboard.

Vernon Fernandes, Host Craig Jennings and Patrick Crippen

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Revealing Salome

Revealing Salome kicked off the new season of Gourmet on the Go events. It was held on Tuesday, May 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the home of Patrick and Suzanne Crippen. Dr. R. Alan Kimbrough, professor emeritus and an adjunct instructor from the English Department of the University of Dayton, presented a brief synopsis of the opera and led an interactive discussion of the controversial nature of the storyline.

The evening was augmented with Mediterranean hors d’oeuvres and wine.

Proceeds benefit the Opera Guild of Dayton’s many educational programs and, of course, our wonderful Dayton Opera.

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Mediterranean Medley

On Sepetember 22 beginning at 6 p.m., Tom and Kathy Brown invited 9 guests to their lovely Oakwood home located at 2207 Far Hills Avenue to experience an elegant Italian inspired evening to savor and remember. Kathy prepared an Italian feast and did pairing of luscious wines to enhance those beloved Mediterranean flavors. Jerry and Martha Ann Reaper made a return appearance of their singing expertise which they unveiled at last year’s Gourmet on the Go dinner hosted at their home. This time they chose to sing arias from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, La Boheme and more for the guests. Click here to listen to one of their selections.

If you have any questions about the evening, you may contact Kathy at 296-0543 of kathy@bezat.com.

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El Meson Tapas and Tasting

Held Thursday, June 7, 6-8 pm

 

Guests enjoyed the exotic flavors of Spain with a selection of tapas prepared by the creative staff at El Meson paired with a tasting of international fine wines. Owner Bill Castro hosted a wonderful discussion of his pairing choices in the colorful and friendly atmosphere of his popular area eatery. 

 

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The 2017 events are shown below.

Afternoon Tea

    

About 40 guests experienced a peak back into history at Afternoon Tea at 10 Wilmington Place on Saturday, September 23. With the glorious summer-like weather, many guests were seated on the veranda while they sipped tea and ate classic tea accompaniments. British expert Steve spoke of this tradition and its continued popularity.

Cooking with Class (Sold Out)

   

Diane and Bob Johnson invited 8 guests to their home in Centerville on June 23 to create a gourmet feast with one of the regions great chefs-Anne Kearney of Bar Dumaine. Group participation and fun were the evening’s watchwords as everyone interacted to pick up a few of Anne’s culinary tips and tricks. They sipped a little wine and sampled tastes along the way to the fantastic end result–a dining extravaganza.

Summer Elegance (Sold Out)

2017 Gourmet on the Go at Mike Houser’s and Steve Wargo’s Home

 

Ten Guild members gathered at the gracious homes of Mike Houser and Steve Wargo on the evening of July 1, 2017, for a spectacular dinner. Everything was perfect–the impeccable hosts, wines, Tim Jennens’ piano renditions, exquisite food and unbeatable ambiance. It was an evening that exemplifies the essence of GOURMET ON THE GO.

Taste of  Elegance (Sold Out)

Guests visited the historical home of Frederick Patterson in Oakwood for a special evening with current owners Jerry and Martha Ann Reaper on July 1. They began their evening with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres on the patio. Guests were invited into the sophisticated dining room for a gourmet meal that included broccoli and cheese soup, mixed green salad, filet mignon with bernaise sauce, jumbo tiger shrimp, and asparagus. The meal was enhanced by  reserve, boutique wines from Castello Di Amorosa and Staglin wineries in Napa Valley.  The feast was finished with a selection of New York style cheese cake. Crowning the evening was extraordinary live entertainment offering a unique blend of arias and Broadway songs.  Click on the title to hear some of that evening’s selections sung by Martha Ann and Jerry who were accompanied by pianist Kathy Brown. Choose Till There Was You or Moria. The evening was truly memorable for their guests.

Bello vino e amici

  

Guests relaxed and enjoyed a beautiful evening with wine, nibbles and friends at Rumbleseat Wines at 5853 Far Hills Avenue on August 1 from 6-8 p.m. Sommelier Chris Holloway picked a selection of fine Italian wines that paired with bites of freshly prepared summer delicacies. Courses were prepared by Vicky Heuman, Suzanne Crippen, Charlotte Brown and Cecilia Brendel. Winans Chocolates and Coffee donated Double Dark Chocolate Meltaways to top off the meal while Symphony at Centerville donated stemless wine glasses as a parting gift.