Dining In! is all about making new friends!

In April, enjoy a potluck dinner, gathering with Newcomers at a member's home. 

NOTE: Dinners can be held indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather and SB county guidelines. Hosts determine the starting time of their dinner, but generally it is between 5:30 and 6:30pm

Register by April 14th!   Be sure to join the waitlist, if the event is filled, since there are many cancellations.  If you want to attend as a couple, BOTH of  you must be registered.

Here’s how it works: 

• Each month we will arrange 4-8 dinner parties depending on how many hosts volunteer and who signs up.  
• Dinners can be more formal or completely casual or anything in between, as each Host chooses. 
• Dinner parties range in size from 6-14+ guests depending on how many guests each Host can accommodate.  
• We'll ask you for a few of your preferences when you register and try to match you up at a home with members of similar interests.

Let us know if you prefer to be with Singles or with Young Professionals, and whether you prefer a vegetarian/vegan meal.  We can't guarantee a perfect match, but we expect that you'll find some like-minded friends at your dinner table.

Our hosts have agreed to welcome Newcomers for the evening.  They will coordinate with their guests to define the plan for the evening, sometimes identifying a theme for dinner.   Hosts provide tableware, glasses and water, and also provide at least one of the dishes.

Each guest brings his or her own beverage of choice and a dish as coordinated with the host (e.g., appetizer, entree, side, dessert, or whatever!)  Each guest must register; if you are a couple, both persons must register.

Everyone... pitches in to make the event as fun and memorable as possible! Sharing a meal you helped create is one of the best ways to turn Newcomers into New Friends!

All registrants must be fully vaccinated against COVID, and also have gotten a booster shot.  Proof of both will be required prior to participation, per Newcomer's recently-approved rules.  

So what happens after you sign up?

About two weeks before the event, each Host will receive the Guest list, reflecting everyone's preferences as much as possible.  We will also send Guests their Host's contact info.   A Committee member will help guide Guests and Hosts through the details of planning the dinner.

If you'd like to be a future Host (yes!) or have questions, please contact the committee chair at diningin@sbnewcomers.org or explain your requests on our registration form. 

REALLY IMPORTANT!   This is one fun and popular event within Newcomers, with high demand to get a spot at a Host's table. Once you’ve spoken to your Host and agreed to bring a dish, the other diners are counting on you. They want to meet you and get to know you.  They can't do that if you're not there! We know emergencies come up, and if you must cancel after accepting a food assignment, please contact your host immediately. You will need to find another Newcomer to take your place and to bring your assigned dish.  (E-mail the committee chairs and we will try to help.)   If that's not possible, have someone deliver your assigned dish to the home so the other guests won’t starve!