Look Who’s “Zooming” to Dinner

Your phone or computer is the new place-setting, and WiFi is the new long table.

“Social” doesn’t have to mean “sitting next to you.” Maybe you won’t be joining friends or relatives in person, but bringing folks together across the miles through the magic of technology can be just as special. It’s a great opportunity to set the table with festive trimmings, break out the charcuterie board and nice wine glasses and dress up a little.

Make sure you’ve got good lighting. No need to limit dinner to the dinner table. Set everything up at the kitchen counter or around the coffee table. Use the dinnerware you’ve been saving for a special occasion. Treat yourself - pop open a bottle of bubbly or pick up some flowers from the store. Touches like these can be fun.

Virtual Party Ideas

“Ready, Set, Cook!”

Pick a recipe and provide a shopping list to each household. Then tune in and chat as you share the experience of cooking together. When you dig in, it’ll be a little closer to having everyone around the same table.

Potluck

Set a time and date, and folks make whatever they want. Sit down and eat, and everyone can share their recipes, providing inspiration to try new things!

“Iron-Chef”

Someone picks the secret ingredient ahead of time, and everyone makes a dish featuring that item. Tune in as the cooking is winding down to show each other the amazing creations you’ve come up with.

Themed Dinners

How about a “Mad Men” holiday cocktail party, or a Harry Potterthemed feast? Enjoy food from Italy’s Christmas Eve “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” or the ultimate Hanukkah party menu with all the traditional favorites.

Support Local Food Establishments

Order take-out from a local restaurant and share the experience with friends. Whether you all order from the same place or not, it’s a great way to treat yourself, share good company and make sure the great restaurants in our area get some welldeserved support and love.

“Pet Party”

Bring along your favorite fur-baby and have some special homemade treats for them. It’s a fun way to see everyone’s pets and enjoy each other’s company and you may get a great new dog biscuit recipe!

Wine or Beer Pairing

Get friends together to explore the wonderful world of wine and beer paired with your own culinary creations! Even if it’s just Guinness and peanut M&M’s, it’s always fun to hear about how others enjoy their favorites.

Reconnect with Someone

Catch up with someone over snacks or dinner whom you haven’t seen in a long time. Maybe it’s that person you’ve been meaning to thank for being an important part of your life, or one of your former classmates who you lost touch with years ago. Whoever it is, they’re sure to enjoy seeing you and sharing some time and a meal with them!

Platforms

Aside from Zoom, there are other free ways to connect with others:

Jitsi Meet

Name your room and provide a password. No account needed. Super easy!

Skype

Host up to 50 people at a time, for up to four hours.

FaceTime

Great if you only have an iPhone or iPad, and you can host up to 32 friends. Video quality will depend on your cellular provider.

Google Hangouts

Use this to see 10 people on a call from your phone or computer.