This year, my eternally-under-renovation kitchen has finally gotten to the point where I can comfortably have friends over for dinner.  I can usually squeeze them in between family obligations about once a month, and they are truly one of my great joys.

Our family is lucky enough to have a number of close friends who are terrific cooks and adventurous eaters, so I've never felt a need to change this arrangement.  But I understand that many cooks enjoy setting up something more formally collaborative - hence, the "cooking club".  Now, we're not talking about a "supper club," which I understand to be something more on the order of an underground restaurant.

No, the "cooking club" seems to be more of an informal affair - a casual gathering of friends who love to cook and experiment with new cuisines and cookbooks. Increasingly, we're seeing collaborative cookbooks coming out of these ventures.  And although, as a reviewer, I often feel the books would benefit from a more aggressive editing hand, I also think they have a contagious verve, a sense of freewheeeling inspiration.

Have you ever been part of a cooking club, or wanted to join one or set one up?  I'd love to hear about your experiences!