An Anecdotal Description of
OLLI Gastronomers
What do you do?
Initiated at OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at UCI, Olli Gastronomers is a group of mostly retired folk who get together once a month to do something related to food and beverages. With a two year break for the pandemic, we've been at it since 2015.
The range of possibilities is broad. We've done potlucks and plenty of dining in small and diverse ethnic restaurants. We've participated in the preparation of food under the guidance of a local chef, and had a guided tour of a Japanese supermarket. We've had food air-freighted from Katz Deli! Lunches and dinners, hotdogs and coq au vin; if it intersects food and drink, it qualifies.
We've had events in a public park, private homes, restaurants, back-yards, and commercial kitchens. So far, we've only done them in Orange County.
How does it work?
Members queue up at an annual planning meeting, pick a month and an idea, and the rest is up to them. Sometimes it's got a lot of wow and gee-whiz built in: Souvenirs, presentations and funny hats. Other times it's just a quiet meal with little fuss. Organizers do what they like and the rest of us provide the praise and appreciation.
In all cases it's a lot of fun, with plenty of opportunity to prattle on about life's ups and downs with our confreres. Though only nominally an educational process, we do exchange ideas for our own daily culinary pursuits, or ideas for travel.
When a member's selected month gets to the top of the list, they provide the webmaster the details, he updates the website and sends invites to the membrers. Those who are available will RSVP via a provided email link, and mail the host a check. So far, costs have been roughly $35 to $50, though it continues to go up in response to local pricing. There is no stated restriction for an event, though I assume if you schedule a specially selected chef's tasting-menu at Spago, the attendee-count will drop. But just so you know--I'll be there.
Though the roster is around 80 people at present, not everyone attends regularly, and there is usually a limit on party size based on the restaurant, the size of the home, the amount of labor in the plotting and planning, and other considerations. The attendees usually number from 12 to 20.
If you're not already a member, perhaps I've left out something critical you still want to know. Click the blue button below, and ask me!