About The Diners Club

Fairwinds Diners was created by Marianne Duffley in 2004 and managed by her until 2010.  Broad participation and active involvement of the members has made it an integral part of the Fairwinds social scene.  In large part, this success is a testament to Marianne's skillful guidance and personable management style.

Thanks for doing this for all of us, Marianne!

This year, the name of the group has been changed to "The Diners Club" as we would like to expand our membership to include couples living close to, but not in Fairwinds.

The Diners Club is open to residents of Fairwinds or those areas immediately adjacent, in order to minimize driving at night after enjoying an evening of dinner and wine.

The club has proven itself to be hugely successful  both as a way of meeting people and sharing great meals without going far from home.  Currently there are 36 couples participating in the group.

If you would like to join (or attend one of the dinners on a trial basis), please call one of the Diner's Coordinators identified on the member list.

Dinners are held in several member homes on the last Saturday of each month, with the exception of June, July, August, September, and December.  The Coordinators assign guests (please - no special requests!) from those signed up for that month to each volunteer host, usually three couples to a host couple, but adjustable based on host seating capacity.  We have a full group Christmas party in mid-December and another in June to celebrate the end of our year. 

Menus are determined by the hosts for that month so that all host homes have the same menu, using the same recipes.  The host is typically responsible for the entrée and each guest couple volunteer for or are requested to provide one or more of the other items on the menu.

The host is expected to provide pre-dinner drinks or wine, but because of the wide variety available of wines and their costs, wine to accompany the dinner is BYOB.

The cost of the meal is shared and usually settled as soon as everyone is present at the dinner.

In the event that a host has spare seating capacity, they are encouraged to invite neighbors or friends to attend.  When this is done, the "spare" will be included and treated just the same as any member.

There is a major planning meeting in September, hosted by one of the year's Coordinators, in which hosts and dinner themes are selected.  During the year, any necessary changes in monthly hosts are organized by the event Coordinator (that person is identified on the dinner web page).

Click here to read the 2011/12 Minutes.

An advisory e-mail is sent out at the beginning of each month requesting interest in attending that month's dinner.  Responses and any inquiries should be by return email and are required by mid-month.

Hosts for the each monthly dinner must agree on a menu and recipes in time to be on the web site by the beginning of their hosting month when this email to members is sent.  To accomplish this, the recipes should be sent to the WebMaster (Ian Smith) at least six weeks prior to the event. 

The Coordinators will use their best judgment to group the members and advise the hosts of their selections.  This information will be posted on the web site along with the menu and recipes as soon as it has been finalized.