Innaugural Post

“Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.” Athenaeus

Athenaeus, a Greek living in Egypt during the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd century A.D. wrote about many things, chiefly among them food, under the pretense of recording the musings of 30 or more learned men (sorry ladies, it was a different time) at a single banquet held by a friend, book collector, and patron of the arts. This work known as Deipnosophistae is divided into 15 sections, and is filled with conversation on interesting topics focused on good citizens living the good life. The word deipnosophist, derived from deipnon, "dinner" + sophistas, "a clever or wise man", has come to mean either a gastronome/gourmet/epicurean/foodie or a gifted conversationalist. Quite simply it means the kind of dinner guest one wants at their table.

I hope that there are those among us who aspire to be this sort of learned, witty, jovial, conversive guest. This blog is devoted to the mastering the myriad skills needed to make it to the top of everyone's guest list and to ensure that similar ladies and gentlemen aspire to make it onto yours.