ronnie_suburban

Just a suggestion: A few years ago, I stayed in the Residence Inn, and our "mini suite" had a full kitchen with a range. There are also other long-stay type hotels in the area that also offer kitchens with ovens. So you might look into renting a room at a place like that (or two, which would get two kitchens with two ovens). As I recall, we booked our Residence Inn room through the Marriott web site and we wound up there because it was as cheap as anything else. So you could sleep there and have the workshop too. ← That's a very clever idea! ← I believe that Tom may have already investigated this possibility and found it to be unacceptable but perhaps I'm mistaken. =R=

'Tis done; glad you'll still be attending other parts of the weekend. Updated lists . . . Please note these lists do not yet reflect who has already paid Thursday Dinner at Blackbird =R= +4 Alchemist newbie21 tammylc jesteinf +1 edsel prasantrin* +1* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 Nina C.* +3* nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 Sam Iam +1 Elrushbo stuart_s daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 REB +1 DutchMuse + 1** -49- (42 definite, 6 probable, 1 wait list) Only 'wait list' spots remain for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, especially since we still have 6 "probables". Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour =R= +4 HeatherM Alex tammylc +1 jesteinf +1 edsel tino27 +1 Lady T prasantrin* +1* Marmish* +1* newbie21 Nina C.* +3* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 moreace01 +1 Sam Iam +1 LuckyGirl +1 Darcie B stuart_s* daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 karen m -57- (50 definite, 7 probable) Only 3 spots remain for Thursday's cocktail session Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan: =R= +4 prasantrin +1 torakris tammylc CaliPoutine Alex Sam Iam +3 Fresser NancyH +1 nsxtasy +1 jesteinf +1 tino27 +1 HeatherM santo_grace +1 Kerry Beal edsel Cathy2 yellow truffle +1 nyokie6 +1 stuart_s HOLLY_L white lotus +1 LuckyGirl +1 LAZ +1 daniellewiley +1 karen m hsm +1 Amy Viny +1 Fat Guy REB +1 DutchMuse +1 -54- (54 definite, 0 probable) 26 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church: =R= +4 NancyH +1 torakris edsel LuckyGirl +1 Alchemist CaliPoutine Alex +1 tammylc jesteinf +1 nsxtasy +1 Kerry Beal Marmish +1 moosnsqrl +1 Osnav +1 prasantrin* +1* tino27 +1 Sam Iam +3 nr706 +1 hsm +1 Jean Blanchard +1 newbie21 moreace01 +1 HOLLY_L santo_grace +1 daniellewiley +1 Cathy2 nyokie6 +1 Nina C. +1 LAZ +1 maggiethecat +1 Elrushbo Darcie B white lotus +1 Fresser cat lancaster Lady T yellow truffle +3 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon karen m +1 ricain + 1 elfin +1 Fat Guy REB +1 -81- (79 definite, 2 probable) Only 9 spots remain for Saturday's group meal Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately. Thanks! =R=

Updated lists . . . Please note these lists do not yet reflect who has already paid Thursday Dinner at Blackbird =R= +4 Alchemist newbie21 tammylc jesteinf +1 edsel prasantrin* +1* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 Nina C.* +3* nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 Sam Iam +1 Elrushbo stuart_s daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 REB +1 DutchMuse + 1** -49- (42 definite, 6 probable, 1 wait list) Only 'wait list' spots remain for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, especially since we still have 6 "probables". Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour =R= +4 HeatherM Alex tammylc +1 jesteinf +1 edsel tino27 +1 Lady T prasantrin* +1* Marmish* +1* newbie21 Nina C.* +3* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 moreace01 +1 Sam Iam +1 LuckyGirl +1 Darcie B stuart_s* daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 karen m -57- (50 definite, 7 probable) Only 3 spots remain for Thursday's cocktail session Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan: =R= +4 prasantrin +1 torakris tammylc CaliPoutine Alex Sam Iam +3 Fresser NancyH +1 nsxtasy +1 jesteinf +1 tino27 +1 HeatherM santo_grace +1 Kerry Beal edsel Cathy2 yellow truffle +1 nyokie6 +1 stuart_s HOLLY_L white lotus +1 LuckyGirl +1 LAZ +1 daniellewiley +1 karen m hsm +1 Amy Viny +1 Fat Guy REB +1 DutchMuse +1 -54- (54 definite, 0 probable) 26 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church: =R= +4 NancyH +1 torakris edsel LuckyGirl +1 Alchemist CaliPoutine Alex +1 tammylc jesteinf +1 nsxtasy +1 Kerry Beal Marmish +1 moosnsqrl +1 Osnav +1 prasantrin* +1* tino27 +1 Sam Iam +3 nr706 +1 hsm +1 Jean Blanchard +1 newbie21 moreace01 +1 HOLLY_L santo_grace +1 daniellewiley +1 Cathy2 nyokie6 +1 Nina C. +1 LAZ +1 maggiethecat +1 Elrushbo Darcie B white lotus +1 Fresser cat lancaster HeatherM Lady T yellow truffle +3 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon karen m +1 ricain + 1 elfin +1 Fat Guy REB +1 -82- (80 definite, 2 probable) Only 8 spots remain for Saturday's group meal Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately. Thanks! =R=

My standard operating procedure at Alinea is to split a wine pairing with my wife, so yes, they do offer it -- for both the standard and the premium pairings. My experience has been that the pours are generous and more than adequate. But that's just me =R=

Updated lists . . . Please note these lists do not yet reflect who has already paid Thursday Dinner at Blackbird =R= +4 Alchemist newbie21 tammylc jesteinf +1 edsel prasantrin* +1* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 Nina C.* +3* nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 Sam Iam +1 Elrushbo stuart_s daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 REB +1 DutchMuse + 1** -49- (42 definite, 6 probable, 1 wait list) Only 'wait list' spots remain for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, especially since we still have 6 "probables". Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour =R= +4 HeatherM Alex tammylc +1 jesteinf +1 edsel tino27 +1 Lady T prasantrin* +1* Marmish* +1* newbie21 Nina C.* +3* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 moreace01 +1 Sam Iam +1 LuckyGirl +2 Darcie B stuart_s* daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 karen m -58- (51 definite, 7 probable) Only 2 spots remain for Thursday's cocktail session Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan: =R= +4 prasantrin +1 torakris tammylc CaliPoutine Alex Sam Iam +3 Fresser NancyH +1 nsxtasy +1 jesteinf +1 tino27 +1 HeatherM santo_grace +1 Kerry Beal edsel Cathy2 yellow truffle +1 nyokie6 +1 stuart_s HOLLY_L white lotus +1 LuckyGirl +2 LAZ +1 daniellewiley +1 karen m hsm +1 Amy Viny +1 Fat Guy REB +1 DutchMuse +1 -55- (55 definite, 0 probable) 25 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church: =R= +4 NancyH +1 torakris edsel LuckyGirl +3 Alchemist CaliPoutine Alex tammylc jesteinf +1 nsxtasy +1 Kerry Beal Marmish +1 moosnsqrl +1 Osnav +1 prasantrin* +1* tino27 +1 Sam Iam +3 nr706 +1 hsm +1 Jean Blanchard +1 newbie21 moreace01 +1 HOLLY_L santo_grace +1 daniellewiley +1 Cathy2 nyokie6 +1 Nina C. +1 LAZ +1 maggiethecat +1 Elrushbo Darcie B white lotus +1 Fresser cat lancaster HeatherM Lady T yellow truffle +3 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon karen m +1 ricain + 1 elfin +1 Fat Guy REB +1 -83- (81 definite, 2 probable) Only 7 spots remain for Saturday's group meal Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately. Thanks! =R=

I just wanted to add a note about maintaining and updating the attendance lists. I will, until the right-of-first-refusal ticket purchase period ends on July 22, continue to add names to and remove names from the lists here, as people update their plans (via post or pm). After this period ends, I will post the links to each of the 4 EventBrite.com sign-ups here on the thread. From that point forward, if folks who change their plans want to post about it here, they are more than welcome to do so. However, I am not planning to update the lists I've been keeping here beyond that point, because this information (first name, eGS handle and home town) will be tracked automatically at EventBrite.com and will be viewable to anyone who successfully begins the sign-up process there. Once a person signs up there, he or she (and their guests) will also be added to the 'Attendee Report.' Finally, because the Attendee Reports list only those people who have paid, I will not -- at any time -- be updating the lists here with that information. I hope this all makes sense. Thanks again, =R=

I'm only involved in these events in as far as I've been trying to locate venues for them. So far, we've had a couple of near misses and right now there are a couple of pending possibilities, as well. In other words, so far, I'm a failure. The 2 organizers of these events are tino27 (bread) and Kerry Beal (chocolate). Should you want to assist them in any respect, you can communicate directly with them, via pm -- and that goes for anyone who wants to help out. But there's no reason this process has to go through me (or be documented here on the thread, for that matter). As I mentioned above, there are several irons the fire right now but nothing definite, so if you or anyone else has any ideas, please let the appropriate person know and let's see what happens. I'm not exactly sure where but somewhere upthread the 'requirements' for both these events/venues are spelled out pretty clearly. In both cases, a home kitchen should be adequate, although ideally, the kitchen for the bread workshop will have 2 or more ovens. Thanks, =R=

You should also take into account that Amtrak frequently runs an hour late. ← Yes -- this past week your train arrived anywhere between 21 minutes and 2½ hours late. I'd love to attend a chocolate workshop, but allowing for train lateness, transportation to the hotel, checking in, and transportation to the venue (assuming we can locate one), it looks like 2:00 - 2:30 would be the very earliest semi-reasonable time to schedule it. How long do you think the workshop would be? Should we proceed with the venue search or simply table it until next year? ← I'd love it if you keep looking. I can do a workshop in 3 hours, so that still leaves time to get to dinner. ← I didn't know that Alex was also looking for a venue for these events but that's good to know. There are a couple other folks helping, as well. Alex, please keep us updated on your efforts. =R=

There is currently no wait list for the Chinatown dinner, so you are in, +1, for that meal. As for the Blackbird dinner, I have given you the final open spot and added your +1 to the wait list. Obviously, we don't expect you to attend if the wait list spot doesn't open up, although, you are more than welcome to do so. I've sent you PM's with links to the official sign-ups. Updated lists . . . Please note these lists do not yet reflect who has already paid Thursday Dinner at Blackbird =R= +4 Alchemist newbie21 tammylc jesteinf +1 edsel prasantrin* +1* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 Nina C.* +3* nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 Sam Iam +1 Elrushbo stuart_s daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 REB +1 DutchMuse + 1** -49- (42 definite, 6 probable, 1 wait list) Only 'wait list' spots remain for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, especially since we still have 6 "probables". Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour =R= +4 HeatherM Alex tammylc +1 jesteinf +1 edsel tino27 +1 Lady T prasantrin* +1* Marmish* +1* newbie21 Nina C.* +3* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 moreace01 +1 Sam Iam +1 LuckyGirl +2 Darcie B stuart_s* daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 karen m -58- (51 definite, 7 probable) Only 2 spots remain for Thursday's cocktail session Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan: =R= +4 prasantrin +1 torakris tammylc CaliPoutine Alex Sam Iam +3 Fresser NancyH +1 nsxtasy +1 jesteinf +1 tino27 +1 HeatherM santo_grace +1 Kerry Beal edsel Cathy2 yellow truffle +1 nyokie6 +1 stuart_s HOLLY_L white lotus +1 LuckyGirl +2 LAZ +1 daniellewiley +1 karen m hsm +1 Amy Viny +1 Fat Guy REB +1 DutchMuse +1 -55- (55 definite, 0 probable) 25 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church: =R= +4 NancyH +1 torakris edsel LuckyGirl +3 Alchemist CaliPoutine Alex tammylc jesteinf +1 nsxtasy +1 Kerry Beal Marmish +1 moosnsqrl +1 Osnav +1 prasantrin* +1* tino27 +1 Sam Iam +3 nr706 +1 hsm +1 Jean Blanchard +1 newbie21 moreace01 +1 HOLLY_L santo_grace +1 daniellewiley +1 dls* Cathy2 nyokie6 +1 Nina C. +1 LAZ +1 maggiethecat +1 Elrushbo Darcie B white lotus +1 Fresser cat lancaster HeatherM Lady T yellow truffle +3 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon karen m +1 ricain + 1 elfin +1 Fat Guy REB +1 -84- (81 definite, 3 probable) Only 6 spots remain for Saturday's group meal Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately. Thanks! =R=

After I shake off the old ash and refill the basket with new charcoal I don't see any difference in burn time either. I still can do a 12-14 hour cook without adding charcoal without a problem. (Temp 225 +/-) ← That hasn't been my experience, which is why I stopped trying to use leftover charcoal . . . although the Komodo does greatly increase the chances of a long burn. I absolutely love mine and have even held temperature on it (225-250 F) for over 24 hours on one load of fuel. =R=

On my Kamado I just close down both vents and the fire goes out due to lack of a air. I then can shake off the ash and reuse the remaining charcoal. ← I don't like to do this on my Komodo or any of my charcoal grills because it's much harder to gauge how a fire will burn or control it properly when using pre-used coals. You just never know what exactly you're dealing with in such cases. OTOH, my method can be a bit wasteful if I miscalculate how much fuel I'm going to need. =R= ← I never have any problem controlling temperatures with new or pre-used charcoal. I always add fresh charcoal when I start a new fire, I wonder if this helps or if my technique is different than yours? ← Not temperature but burn duration. I should have been more clear on that. =R=

On my Kamado I just close down both vents and the fire goes out due to lack of a air. I then can shake off the ash and reuse the remaining charcoal. ← I don't like to do this on my Komodo or any of my charcoal grills because it's much harder to gauge how a fire will burn or control it properly when using pre-used coals. You just never know what exactly you're dealing with in such cases. OTOH, my method can be a bit wasteful if I miscalculate how much fuel I'm going to need. =R=

I simply let the coals burn down in the grill after the cooking is over (with the lid on and dampers open). After they burn out fully, I dump them in a 5-gallon metal garbage can that has a secure lid, usually right before the next cook. When that gets full, I empty it into a bag and put it into the regular garbage. =R=

Unfortunately, our efforts to locate and secure venues for these 2 events have not yet been successful. If anyone here would like to host one or both of these events, please post here or let me, Tom or Kerry know, via pm. In neither case do the equipment requirements exceed what is found in a typical home kitchen. The path to foodie glory often begins with hosting an event like one of these . . . Thanks, =R=

Folks should definitely use whichever method they prefer. For me, though, the days of cooking over gas outdoors are in the rear-view mirror because the results when cooking over charcoal are superior. If I don't want that particular flavor, I'll simply cook indoors. A lump charcoal fire burns much hotter than gas, which also benefits many foods that are typically grilled. As for the time factor, I can be cooking over lump charcoal in 15 minutes via the use of a chimney and a wad of newspaper. That's just enough time to prep the meat for the grill, so it doesn't really slow down the overall process at all. =R=

Unfortunately, the web site is no longer. But Erik has been posting quite a bit about L.A. over at CH. Additionally, many of his translated Thai menus can still be found over at LTHForum.com: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=359 =R=

I'm sorry to hear that and I do hope that KC is strongly considered as next year's venue, as it seems like a very good choice. =R=

Hi all, PM's have now been sent to everyone who's shown on the sign-up lists above. If you have not received a separate pm for each of the events for which you signed up, please let me know. Those who have requested reservations here will have until Tuesday July 22 to secure them, by paying for them via the links provided in the pm's. After that, those spots will go back into the general pool and become available for any eGS member to purchase. Ticket sales for all 4 of these events will be open until 11:55 pm ET on Tuesday August 5. This is when we plan to cut off ticket sales, so that we can provide adequate lead time to the establishments we will be visiting. On a related note, we hope to post prospective menus for each of the applicable events shortly. Thanks, =R=

Updated lists . . . Done and done! Thursday Dinner at Blackbird =R= +4 Alchemist newbie21 tammylc jesteinf +1 edsel prasantrin* +1* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 Nina C.* +3* nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 Sam Iam +1 Elrushbo stuart_s daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 REB +1 -47- (41 definite, 6 probable) Only 1 spot remains for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, especially since we still have 6 "probables". Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour =R= +4 HeatherM Alex tammylc +1 jesteinf +1 edsel tino27 +1 Lady T prasantrin* +1* Marmish* +1* newbie21 Nina C.* +3* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 moreace01 +1 Sam Iam +1 LuckyGirl +2 Darcie B stuart_s* daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 karen m -58- (51 definite, 7 probable) Only 2 spots remain for Thursday's cocktail session Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan: =R= +4 prasantrin +1 torakris tammylc CaliPoutine Alex Sam Iam +3 Fresser NancyH +1 nsxtasy +1 jesteinf +1 tino27 +1 HeatherM santo_grace +1 Kerry Beal edsel Cathy2 yellow truffle +1 nyokie6 +1 stuart_s HOLLY_L white lotus +1 LuckyGirl +2 LAZ +1 daniellewiley +1 karen m hsm +1 Amy Viny +1 Fat Guy REB +1 -53- (53 definite, 0 probable) 27 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church: =R= +4 NancyH +1 torakris edsel LuckyGirl +3 Alchemist CaliPoutine Alex tammylc jesteinf +1 nsxtasy +1 Kerry Beal Marmish +1 moosnsqrl +1 Osnav +1 prasantrin* +1* tino27 +1 Sam Iam +3 nr706 +1 hsm +1 Jean Blanchard +1 newbie21 moreace01 +1 HOLLY_L santo_grace +1 daniellewiley +1 dls* Cathy2 nyokie6 +1 Nina C. +1 LAZ +1 maggiethecat +1 Elrushbo Darcie B white lotus +1 Fresser cat lancaster HeatherM Lady T yellow truffle +3 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon karen m +1 ricain + 1 elfin +1 Fat Guy REB +1 -84- (81 definite, 3 probable) Only 6 spots remain for Saturday's group meal Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately. Thanks! =R=

I'm glad you mentioned this because so many of us here in Chicago have benefitted via his effort. =R=

No need for that, as we've had a recent cancelation, via pm. You're officially in. Updated lists . . . Thursday Dinner at Blackbird =R= +4 Alchemist newbie21 tammylc* + 1* jesteinf +1 edsel prasantrin* +1* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 Nina C.* +3* nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 joiei* Sam Iam +1 Elrushbo stuart_s daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 -47- (38 definite, 9 probable) 1 spot remains for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, as we still have 9 "probables". Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour =R= +4 HeatherM Alex tammylc* +1* jesteinf +1 edsel tino27 +1 Lady T prasantrin* +1* Marmish* +1* newbie21 Nina C.* +3* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 joiei* moreace01 +1 Sam Iam +1 LuckyGirl +2 Darcie B stuart_s* daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 karen m -59- (49 definite, 10 probable) Only one spot remains for Thursday's cocktail session Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan: =R= +4 prasantrin +1 torakris tammylc +1* CaliPoutine Alex Sam Iam +3 Fresser NancyH +1 nsxtasy +1 jesteinf +1 tino27 +1 HeatherM santo_grace +1 Kerry Beal edsel Cathy2 yellow truffle +1 nyokie6 +1 stuart_s HOLLY_L white lotus +1 LuckyGirl +2 LAZ +1 daniellewiley +1 karen m hsm +1 Amy Viny +1 Fat Guy -52- (51 definite, 1 probable) 28 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church: =R= +4 NancyH +1 torakris edsel LuckyGirl +3 Alchemist CaliPoutine Alex tammylc jesteinf +1 nsxtasy +1 Kerry Beal Marmish +1 moosnsqrl +1 Osnav +1 prasantrin* +1* tino27 +1 Sam Iam +3 nr706 +1 hsm +1 joiei Jean Blanchard +1 newbie21 moreace01 +1 HOLLY_L santo_grace +1 daniellewiley +1 dls* nyokie6 +1 Nina C. +1 LAZ +1 maggiethecat +1 Elrushbo Darcie B white lotus +1 Fresser cat lancaster HeatherM Lady T yellow truffle +3 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon sweintraub* +1* karen m +1 ricain + 1 elfin +1 Fat Guy -84- (79 definite, 5 probable) Only 6 spots remain for Saturday's group meal Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately. Thanks! =R=

I've gone back and edited the most recent list, above. You are now +3 (total of 4) for Saturday's group meal at the church. =R=

Got it I only need a head count for the meal itself. Updated lists . . . Thursday Dinner at Blackbird =R= +4 Alchemist newbie21 tammylc* + 1* jesteinf +1 edsel prasantrin* +1* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 Nina C.* +3* nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 joiei* Sam Iam +1 Elrushbo stuart_s daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 (officially in, due to cancelations) -47- (38 definite, 9 probable) 1 spot remains for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, as we still have 9 "probables". Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour =R= +4 HeatherM Alex tammylc* +1* jesteinf +1 edsel tino27 +1 Lady T prasantrin* +1* Marmish* +1* newbie21 Nina C.* +3* Jean Blanchard +1 santo_grace +1 HOLLY_L NancyH +1 nyokie6 +1 nsxtasy +1 yellow truffle +3 joiei* moreace01 +1 Sam Iam +1 LuckyGirl +2 Darcie B kasw* +1* stuart_s* daniellewiley +1 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon white lotus +1 cat lancaster ricain + 1 -60- (48 definite, 12 probable) Only wait list spots remain for Thursday's cocktail session Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan: =R= +4 prasantrin +1 torakris tammylc +1* CaliPoutine Alex Sam Iam +3 Fresser NancyH +1 nsxtasy +1 jesteinf +1 kasw* +1* tino27 +1 HeatherM santo_grace +1 Kerry Beal edsel Cathy2 yellow truffle +1 nyokie6 +1 stuart_s HOLLY_L white lotus +1 LuckyGirl +2 LAZ +1 daniellewiley +1 karen m hsm +1 Amy Viny +1 Fat Guy -54- (51 definite, 3 probable) 26 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church: =R= +4 NancyH +1 torakris edsel LuckyGirl +3 Alchemist CaliPoutine Alex tammylc jesteinf +1 nsxtasy +1 Kerry Beal Marmish +1 moosnsqrl +1 Osnav +1 prasantrin* +1* tino27 +1 Sam Iam +3 nr706 +1 hsm +1 joiei Jean Blanchard +1 newbie21 moreace01 +1 HOLLY_L santo_grace +1 daniellewiley +1 kasw +1 dls* nyokie6 +1 Nina C. +1 LAZ +1 maggiethecat +1 Elrushbo Darcie B white lotus +1 Fresser cat lancaster HeatherM Lady T yellow truffle +3 Amy Viny +1 Aaron Deacon sweintraub* +1* karen m +1 ricain + 1 elfin +1 Fat Guy -86- (81 definite, 5 probable) Only 4 spots remain for Saturday's group meal Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately. Thanks! =R=

Hmmm, thats a pretty rash statement. I think I turn out some damn tasty food on my gas grill. And, I dont have to wait 30 minutes before I can place food on it. I love my gas grill, I'd take it anyday over charcoal. To each her own I guess. ← Worthless? Well, some people just know how to maximize their gas grills. I'm with Cali on the gas grill and I can easily infuse fruit wood smoke if it calls for a long smoking time. Just be creative. ← I can do that too and it's not the same . . . not even close. =R=

Yes. In the next day or so, I will be sending separate pm's -- one for each of the 4 pre-paid events -- to each person who has signed up here. Those pm's will contain links to the EventBrite.com site where your payments will be accepted. So, depending on how many events you've signed up for, you will receive between 1 and 4 pm's, each with a separate link. If you're bringing guests, you will sign them up and buy their tickets, via these links, at the same time. What this means is that once you sign up and pay at EventBrite.com you will not need to bring any money to any of the events (unless you plan on making extra purchases). However, this is the only payment option available. We will not be accepting any payments at the door for any of the events. Blackbird, The Violet Hour and Lao Sze Chuan events will simply be paid up front. All attendees will have to do is show up and eat/drink. For the group-shopping, as in previous years, money will be redistributed to those who are shopping/cooking by Tammy, most likely on the morning of the event but because of the Ethnic Shopping Tour etc., those details are not 100% ironed out yet. It's probably also worth mentioning that sign-ups collected here for the 4 pre-paid events will have expiration dates. In other words, those who have claimed spots here will have first dibs at EventBrite.com but the window to purchase and lock in will not be indefinite. Once we start taking pre-payments at EventBrite.com, those who have already signed up here will have the right of first refusal to secure their reservations, by paying for them. However, after a certain date (which is yet to be determined but will be included in the pm's), unpaid-for reservations will go back into the general pool and become available for any eGS member to purchase. This is probably only relevant as it pertains to the events which are at or near capacity. After the expiration date passes, I will post the links to EventBrite.com here on the thread and from that point forward, all sign-ups will be handled exclusively through EventBrite.com. For now, though, those folks who have not yet signed up but would like to attend, should post here. I will then add you to the lists we're maintaining on this thread and send you a pm (or pm's) with the appropriate link(s) to EventBrite.com. When you sign up at EventBrite.com, in addition to providing payment, you will also be asked to provide other basic information (first name, eGS handle, home town). This information will be used to a) keep track of paid attendance, b) let other eGS members who's signed up (attendee lists showing handles and home towns will be viewable at EventBrite.com) and c) create name tags for attendees. I hope that this all makes sense. Please be on the lookout for those pm's in the first part of this coming week. Thanks! =R=