From The Blog

You’re Invited: Great Food and Great Company at the POPs Progressive Dinner

Nothing builds community like dining together, especially when it’s in our own homes. That feeling is part of what inspires the Progressive Dinner each year. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, April 7.

The Progressive Dinner is a unique event that takes advantage of Kiawah’s relatively small geographic area. As its name implies, it’s a progression involving several courses and island locations. Attendees start at The Sandcastle for appetizers and wine, then split up as groups of six or more gather in one home for an entree. Following the entree, the groups move to another home for dessert. Enjoy dinner with new and old friends and get a chance to see other homes in a congenial setting!

It all starts at The Sandcastle, where the whole group gathers and mingles over wine and appetizers brought by participants. This course is typically reserved for newcomers to the dinner, so they can get acquainted with the process before hosting in their homes. 

The entree follows, and the host gets to decide what’s for dinner. POPs committee member Beth Thomae says “Do not be afraid to host the entree. Just think of favorites that you would serve your family: your spaghetti, your meatloaf.” Beth even suggests going with a more hands-off option: something from the Crockpot, since it finishes up while you are enjoying your wine and appetizers. She has some classic suggestions, as well. “I’ve done my mother’s lasagne, as well as her very retro beef stroganoff, and a dutch oven pot roast. They were all well received.” The entree host will have assigned helpers to bring sides or salad, bread, wine or whatever else you might need. It’s also a great course to host if you have dietary issues, because you decide what’s being served.

The following dessert course is a great way for those with smaller spaces to host as well, because it doesn’t necessarily require a large table. A living room or back porch could create a more conversational setting for groups, which start at six and increase to about 10 attendees. 

An event like this does have a lot of moving parts, so sign ups start well in advance of the April 7 dinner. RSVPs will be open from Friday, March 8 through Monday, March 25. Remember, the sooner you sign up, it’s more likely that you’ll get the course of your choice.

Stay tuned to KICA’s weekly emails to get a reminder when sign ups open. If you have any questions, email [email protected] to speak with a member of the committee.

Check out these photos from last year’s event!