SEA CLIFF'S PROGRESSIVE DINNER - A JAUNT FOR GREGARIOUS GASTRONOMES  

November 13, 2014 -- Nearly 200 residents participated in this year's Progressive Dinner organized by the Sea Cliff Civic Association.  The gregarious gastronomes made three stops on their jaunt through the village with the group apportioned more or less equally among four homes for appetizers, and then further separated into groups of six to ten as they moved on to the dinner course that was prepared and served by 19 different hosts.  The dinner parties then combined for dessert and drinks at the Sea Cliff Yacht Club. 

The annual event not only introduces participants to fine food, but also to a fine assortment of people.  Civic Association President Ann DiPietro explained that the Progressive Dinner Committee, led by Tina Marchese, spends about three hours matching diners with each other and with hosts.  Relying on spreadsheets going back to 2006, great care is taken to vary matches as much possible from one year to the next, in order to provide a unique experience for past participants by creating a fresh mix of people.  "Strangers soon  become friends around these hospitable dinner tables with appetizers and desserts cementing the sense of camaraderie," Ms. DiPietro said.

Diners have no idea where or with whom they will be for both the appetizer and dinner rounds until the morning of the event, when they can drop by the DiPietro home to pick up their assignments.

The event could not, of course, take place without  the nearly two dozen families that entertain.  "The Progressive Dinner highlights the extraordinary generosity of our host families who open their homes each year providing food and drink to randomly assigned guests," Ms. DiPietro effused.  

The popularity of the Progressive Dinner has, unfortunately, resulted in some being wait-listed each year.  However, those who have hosted in the past, along with newcomers to Sea Cliff are given priority.   

As fall approaches next year, keep an eye out for hosting information from the Civic Association for this not to be missed event.  Mailings go out the first week in October.

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