Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

A month ago I posted an invitation to my fellow food bloggers to join me at The Providores to help me celebrate my departure to Catalunya to start my professional career. Many thanks to everyone who responded and in particular to Mallika, Ben, Krista, Ros & Andy and Richard who all signalled their intention to join me and to whom I have emailed directly. I've now confirmed arrangements with the restaurant manager, Sophie, to have my leaving do on Saturday 1st September at 7.00 pm.

I considered hiring the upstairs room for the evening, but the fee for this reflects an attendance greater than I could possibly expect, with extra staff hired for the evening and everything else associated with a large private function.

So I've booked a large table downstairs instead. Unfortunately, this means a limit of 12 people, as The Providores' elegant yet small dining area is prone to becoming overwhelmed by the noise from parties any larger than this. I've chosen a relatively early start time to avoid putting pressure on those who have to travel long distances home afterwards on public transport.

The meal will be a set menu with a good choice of three or four options for each course. The vegetarian alternative dishes will be limited to one for each course, so if veggies identify themselves I'll do my best to ensure that the offerings are ones that you're personally happy with.

I've also asked the restaurant to organise a selection of New Zealand wines specifically chosen to match the food orders for each course, together with one or two "specials" to give us an exciting tasting experience of more refined and expensive national exports. Those already familiar with these fantastic New World wines should be happy and, for those like me who are less familiar, this will be a good opportunity to take part in a Kiwi wine tasting. The benefit of my choosing this set food and wine approach should be obvious to everyone at the end of the evening, when you should find your individual bill is a two figure sum (although only just!).

I'm sure that you'll find my company more than an adequate incentive to reserve your seat [cheeky grin].

Just to be on the safe side, however, I've arranged for a chap called Peter Gordon to put his face into the evening's proceedings. Peter has been filming a great deal recently, but has specially agreed to take some time out to say hello to you and goodbye to me. You should get an opportunity to chat with him about his food and wine and you'll definitely grab his attention if you can discourse on the relative merits of English and Antipodean cheeses.

First come first served, as they say, with preference to those above who already booked a seat subject to confirmation. As that doesn't leave many places, can I suggest that friends and partners are limited to those who are also foodies.

Come on girls - right now I have confirmations from 5 males and 1 female, so lucky her! Email me (click on "contact" on my subheader bar above) to reserve a seat. As soon as I have a full complement I'll send a note round confirming the arrangements and asking for details of food restrictions, allergies, etc.