Starting the week before the plan was made: the menu was selected, the ingredients list was prepared and communications were started to bring everyone to six houses, to prepare dinner in six kitchens and serve it at six tables. The budget and shopping was completed during the week and if my dinner was anything to go by, the meal was a great success, in part due to the large amount of preparation and communication that had gone on during the week.
Forward Starboard
| Host(es) | Tony and Phillipa |
| Watch Members | Harry Ethan Emyr Charlie Calvin Bronson Zac |
| Leader | Neil |
| Starter | Cheese Board |
| Main Course | Cowazonie |
| Dessert | Ambrosia |
from Neil
Out in the wilderness of Pauatahanui there was a little cottage (poetic licence) that was bursting at the seams last night as 6 of the nation’s best up and coming chefs toiled for several hours to prepare a magnificent feast for a variety of friends and family (well mostly family to be fair). As with all great artists, they didn’t worry too much about making a bit of a mess, or even a lot of a mess, but the results were well worth it.
Following a lovely cheese platter, enjoyed in front of the flickering flames of the log fire, we adjourned to the banquet table for the main course of cowerzoni. Despite its name, and Harry’s belief that chorizo was made out of beef, the calzone was a beautiful combination of porky products, pineapple, cheese and dreamy tomato paste all wrapped up in a handmade dough. Thankfully the Brown’s invested in a large oven some time ago so the Scouts were able to cook all 15 cowerzonis at once. Just.
After a delectable dessert of Ambrosia, everyone skipped home down the woodland path back to civilization with full bellies and a smile on their faces. Except Tony, Phillipa and Ethan of course as they live in the ‘cottage’. A huge thank you to them for hosting a memorable night and sacrificing their kitchen in the name of Scouting.
Also a huge BRAVO to Ethan, Emyr, Harry, Bronson, Charlie, Zac and Calvin. Your calmness and teamwork in the kitchen was exemplary, your food delicious and your company most enjoyable. Gordon Ramsey can only claim one of those 3 so a massive well done to you all.
from Robin
"Dinner at Ethan's house" was attended by nine adults and seven scouts.
Big thanks to our hosts, Tony and Phillipa, for opening their home to us and making everybody feel so welcome. (And the herald, Luka the dog, for announcing our arrival!)
With the wood burner blazing and some earnest preparation already underway in the open kitchen the evening was off to a good start. A cheese board for starters had already been laid out on a coffee table in the lounge and consisted of some flavorsome cheeses, crackers, pitta breads, superb salami and a delicious dip. Guests were invited to help themselves and savor the tasty morsels whilst having a chitchat. Liquid refreshments were offered by the scouts with a choice of the finest fruit juice or perfectly chilled aqua a la tap.
Mains were served at the immaculately laid out dinner table and I think it's safe to say no efforts were spared in the preparation of the main course. From the looks of it, one or two of the scouts must have been in a minor altercation with a rowdy bag of flour at some stage. I'd say they came out on top though as the generous portions of Calzone were delicious and had an immensely satisfying crunch!
Once the main meal was over the dinner plates were whisked away and replaced with dessert bowls. At last, the dessert, prepared the night before to allow the flavours to mingle:
Ambrosia (noun), from classical mythology, meaning "The food of the gods!"
Need I say more? What a finish lads!
On behalf of all the guests, WELL DONE and thank you for dinner!
Mid Starboard
| Host(es) | Anne & Roy |
| Watch Members | Liam Hamish Daniel Jesse Seth |
| Leader | Derrick |
| Starter | Spicy wedges |
| Main Course | Burgers |
| Dessert | Banana Split |
from Derrick
Tackling the kitchen with flair and aplomb, Hamish lead his team of sous chefs in the creation of their master pieces of the culinary arts. We were served our drinks in the sitting room prior to dinner and then called through promptly at 7pm for our starter. Waiters came around and checked that all ingredients were satisfactory before serving with great style. The wedges were lightly spiced and served in a beautiful arc centred on a serving of sour cream.
The main course was served with more wedges if we so wished. Many opted for not but some could not resist. The burgers were perfectly formed and tasteful. The buns enclosed fresh crispy lettuce, tomato slices and a mayonasy sauce that topped the whole to perfection.
Desert was banana split, literally. The bananas were split in the middle and served with ice cream and chocolate sauce. Wonderful rounding off of a great meal shared in great company. Roy, Anne, Andrew, Lauree and myself all thoroughly enjoyed our meal to such a degree that the scouts got an impromptu round of applause.
Aft Starboard
| Host(es) | Kealey & Jesse |
| Watch Members | Gabriella Ciara Penny Lauree Rosie |
| Leader | Kate |
| Starter | Garlic Bread |
| Main Course | Loaded Nachos |
| Dessert | Ice Cream Domes |
from Kate
It was a dark and chilly night… but not at Penny’s place where warmth and laughter reigned. Penny, Lauree, Gabriella, Rosie and Ciara went to work in a sparkling clean kitchen while parents lounged next door and enjoyed great company and a number of lovely pets. There was no need to help or prompt - As Katy (venturer and sibling who also attended) said: “They’ve got this!”
Our entrée was an appetising garden salad and garlic bread. The salad was crisp, the garlic bread perfectly done.
The main was nachos with bean/mince mix, guacamole, and sour cream. Delicious!
Pudding was a rose-coloured white chocolate case filled with delicious creamy dessert. Decadent!
We were waited on for drinks in the living room, and served with panache (or at least enthusiasm) at the table.
Clean-up was comprehensive and only needed one prompting when we all suddenly realised it was getting late and there were a couple of things to finish off. Sparkling kitchen once more!
A big thank you to Kealey and Jesse for hosting. And a huge thanks and congratulations to the scouts – you did yourselves proud.
Forward Port
| Host(es) | Graeme |
| Watch Members | Adam Will Xavier Marcus |
| Leader | Grant |
| Starter | Garlic Bread & Salad |
| Main Course | Butter Chicken & Vegetable Pie |
| Dessert | Crepe Roti |
from Grant
I just had the most enjoyable dinner with Adam, Marcus, Grahame, Cherie, Adams sister Hannah and Bolt
We started with salad and garlic bread. Butter Chicken Pi Pie (it's Adam of course) - which tasted as good as it sounds. Crepes with ice cream & greek yougurt for desert. A truely inspired menu.
Adam and Marcus did a fantastic job and you could just see how proud they were of themselves. Really great to see and I wish that Will (who came down with the flu today) and Xavier could have been there as well.
They are already saying "next time we do this..."
I hope everyone else had as much fun as I did.
Mid Port
| Host(es) | Kate & Neil |
| Watch Members | Sol Alfie Max Dominic |
| Leader | Rachel |
| Starter | Dumplings |
| Main Course | Lasagne with salad |
| Dessert | Chocolate self-saucing pudding |
Aft Port
| Host(es) | Jane & Marc |
| Watch Members | Alex Magnus Sean Ohara |
| Leader | Vanessa |
| Starter | Corn Fritters |
| Main Course | Mac & Cheese |
| Dessert | Chocolate self-saucing pudding |
from Vanessa
A fantastic night! Alex, Magnus, Sean and Ohara did a great job.
Dinner preparation was in full motion when I arrived. Each of the boys busy on a task. The corn fritter batter was ready, the onions were cooking and the chocolate self-saucing pudding was in a bowl waiting for the brown sugar to be added later - opps!
Dinner was loud and very entertaining.
- Corn fritters with lemon, spring onion, sour cream and sweet chilli sauce.
- Mac and Cheese.
- Chocolate self-saucing pudding with berry compote and cream.
It looked like every bowl in the kitchen was used but the boys got stuck in and cleaned up. Wash, rinse, dry, just like on camp.
A huge thank you to Jane and Mark for hosting the dinner.
