Dining with Strangers {The Dinner Party Project}

“Excuse my ignorance” said London native, Oscar M. “But, what are grits?” As I started my meal with The Dinner Party Project, everyone chuckled at this question and quickly explained this Southern treat to Oscar.

On a recent Sunday night, eight strangers including myself, gathered in the home of  Dana Roquemore, founder of The Dinner Party Project. Created to draw the people of Orlando together over a meal, this simple concept is unprecedented in our city and taking off like crazy. In a constantly connected world, conversation is dwindling and screens are typically the first point of contact. Siri and I are BFF’s, but there’s something refreshing and invigorating about quality conversation and fantastic food shared with new friends. This creative concept is a new way to meet interesting people and enjoy freshly prepared meals. Everyone who attends has their name drawn at random, so each dinner is truly unique and special.

“I got the idea when I was at a crossroads in life. Everything seemed boring and I wanted to do something new,” Roquemore said. “Someone posed the question ‘What brings you life and joy?’ So, I thought about that, and I know that I LOVE food and people. I see people out socially, but I often don’t know their personal stories, or much about them.  So I thought, let’s mix it up and invite people over to share a meal with friends and strangers. There is something beautiful about sitting down and sharing a meal with people. It has a way of breaking down the barriers and therefore being more known as humans.”

After enjoying cocktails and brief introductions, our group gathered around the table for three courses of goodness prepared by Emily Weidner. Our first course accompanied by the question “Where were you on 9/11” brought deep conversation and a freshly prepared salad with a light and tangy dressing. It was fascinating to hear everyone’s point of view and the effects of that day on one’s life.

Next we were treated to the most delicious shrimp and yellow stone ground grits topped with chorizo and fresh cilantro from Emily’s garden. I’ve tasted a lot of shrimp and grits in my day, and these were some of the best. The yellow grits and tender shrimp topped with spiced chorizo were fantastic and made even better by dining with the chef herself.

Throughout the dinner and wine drinking we were charged with questions sparking conversation like “When do you feel most confident” and “If you could enact any law, what would it be and why?”

For the grand finale we were treated to rich and creamy coffee gelato made with kahlua.  Prepared by a fellow dinner party diner, this sweet treat ranks up there with the likes of what I’ve tasted in Italy.

We each arrived as strangers and left as friends, full and happy. To throw your name in the dinner party lottery email Dana at dinnerpartyprojectorlando@gmail.com. Each dinner is a little different, but they are all full of food and interesting people!