Dia de Los Muertos! Friday 1 Nov 2013

Trust me when I tell you this.  The Mexican food you have been eating in NZ restaurants is crap.  For several years, we have been blowing the socks off of people with authentic, delicious, mind-blowing Mexican food here at the ChChUDC.  Come see what all the fuss is about at our next event!

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Friday 1 Nov 2013
7:00pm
E-mail us at chchudc@gmail.com for bookings or contact us via our ChChUDC Facebook page

The format for this dinner will be a bit different.  Instead of 3 courses of fancy plated food, we are going to overwhelm a buffet table with family style platters of food and we promise the chefs will be sitting down with you to enjoy the festivities!

Welcome!: Margaritas and assorted nibbles....albondigas, flautas, authentic pico de gallo and guacamole, etc.

For the main meal:  A huge assortment of fiesta dishes so guests can pick and choose and experiment with different flavors.  Examples:  Oaxacan Mole Negro Tamales, Spicy Shrimp and Black Beans, Cochinita Pibil Tacos, Marinated Ahi Tuna Tacos, Chicken Enchiladas Verde, Pot beans and fluffy Mexican rice and much, much more.

Sweets:  Mexican chocolate ice cream, coffee liqueur mini cheesecakes, dulce de leche mini cakes, churros.

An Evening in Italy - 5 October

Join the ChChUDC for the first culinary adventure of the season and be transported to a quaint little restaurant tucked in the rolling hills of Italy.  Chef Jess is dusting off her handcranked pasta maker and has a beautiful menu planned.  Get in quick if you are interested as spaces are limited.

Buona Sera!

Saturday 5 October

7:00pm Cocktails, Limonata and Cicheti (small bites)
Location: Address given with confirmation e-mail.
E-mail chchudc@gmail.com for your booking.

Menu:

Antipasti:  Piatto Misto with Assorted Meats, Cheeses and Olives, Risotto Balls, Smoked Fish Fritters, Veal Meatballs with Capers and Lemon with Zucchini Scarves

Il Primo: Trio of Handmade Pastas: Three Cheese Ravioli with Black Truffle and Cream Sauce,  Linguini with Tomato, Pinenuts and Bocconcini and Tortellini with Vodka Sauce

Il Secundo: Braciole al Ragu - Tender stuffed beef rolls in a tomato sauce served with a rocket and shaved parmesan salad

Delize:  Zuppa Inglese: a wonderful old-school Italian take on a trifle...plus a scandalous story of how it came about

Pictures from the evening:

Time to Brush Off Winter's Touch

The sun finally woke me from my winter slumber and it is time to kick off the new season for The ChChUDC!  Two events coming up in October and one lined up for November as well.  All the details to follow so watch this space!

Around the World in an Evening- 15 June

Members Sarah and Tom have planned a special evening for a June ChCh Underground Dinner Club event.  Their menu will take you around the world in food and drinks. 

When:  Saturday June 15th  7:00pm
Limited Seating for this event so e-mail me at chchudc@gmail.com to make a booking!

Menu:

Welcome drinks:-
The Polynesian Cocktail (Oceania: Fiji)

Entrée-
Jerk Chicken Kebabs with Mango Salsa and rocket(Central America: Jamaica)

Pre-main drinks:-
The Mekong Cocktail (Asia: Vietnam)

Main:-
Bobotie with yellow rice and green salad(Africa: South Africa)

Pre-dessert drinks:
Caipirinha Cocktail (South America: Brazil)

Desserts:-
New York Cheesecake (North America : United States of America)
Eve’s Pudding (Europe: United Kingdom - England) with home-made ice-cream

N.B There will also be soft drinks, beers and wines

Play with your food! 27th April

Our second event in April will be filled with surprises and fun.  You've been told your whole life not to play with your food, but not any more.  Come enjoy a playful evening of dining with our guest chefs Niki and Leon.

Limited spaces so get in quick.  E-mail us at chchudc@gmail.com to make a booking.  Location details will be provided with your confirmation e-mail.

Play With Your Food!
Saturday 27 April 7:00pm

Menu:  Don't be fooled by the descriptions, this event will challenge you to have fun and think outside the box with your food!

Starter : 

Assorted bread sticks with dips and nibbles served with a side salad. 

Pre-main

Vodka Jello Shots with a difference.

Main:

Sushi platter with salmon, surimi, avo and cucumber. 

Dessert:

Chocolate Mousse served with brandy cream. 

Prizes to be won for each course.

Vegetarians Unite! 13 April

Our guest chef Iris will be hosting a night of delicious, healthy, vegetarian food!  Get turned on by vegetables and leave feeling full yet decidedly proud of your healthy eating self.  If you are ready to veg out, e-mail us at chchudc@gmail.com.  Hurry as spaces are limited!

Saturday 13 April, 2013  &:00pm
Location of event provided with confirmation e-mail.

Menu:

Starter:  Roasted Capsicum Soup with Aubergine Caviar and Greek Yoghurt, served with bruschetta
Main:  Mushroom and Leek Crepes served with a delicious mixed salad
Dessert:  Elegant Berry Mousse

Update:  Pictures from the event!  

Beautiful table setting by Iris and her girls

The roasted capsicum soup was stunning.  Simple and clean flavors. Yum!

Dessert too delicious to stop eating long enough to get a "before" picture.

'Murica! Eff yeah!

We're back and ready to start the new year off right with some decadent, over-indulgent American down-home cooking but with a fine-dining flair.

We promise to include at least one vegetable. And don't be too afraid, we'll keep the portions down so you won't bust a gut.

This event is fully booked.

Cowboy hats encouraged.

Date: Saturday 23rd March, 2013
Time: 7:00pm

Menu:
Starter: Trio of Sliders (Peanut Butter and Bacon Burger, BBQ Pulled Pork, Sloppy Joe) with Shoestring Fries and Ketchup

Main Course:  Fried Chicken and Waffle Stack served with The Best Mac-n-Cheese, Mini Meatloaf Skewers and Some Random Vegetable (probably covered in bacon and cheese)

Dessert:  Banana Split

Post event Round Up:

Trio of Sliders with handcut fries and ketchup

Chicken and Waffle Stack with Macaroni and Cheese and Meatloaf Meatballs and a Wedge Salad

See you in February!

With everyone heading off to enjoy the sun for the summer, we're going to take a break and get started back up in February 2013.  We have several guest chefs already lined up and the menus are amazing.  Check back for the upcoming dates for the February and March dinners.  As always, if you would like to get involved, e-mail me at chchudc@gmail.com!

Happy Holidays!

Arriba, Abajo, Afuera, Adentro!!

Our next dinner event will transport you to a warm, sunny evening in Spain.  We have a guest chef who will wow you with the tastes of delicious Spanish cuisine.

Menu:
Tapas:
Manchego cheese and serrano ham.
Spinach and pine nut croquettes
Porra Antequerana

Main:
Paella (chorizo,chicken,prawn,mussels)

Sweet:
Cinnamon custard over pineapple with rum

Post event update:

Although the evening turned a bit chilly out in the garden, the setting was beautiful and the food was superb. 
Here is a picture of Chef Mark working his Paella magic!

The wind forced the chef into the garage, but I managed to capture him in action.

Bring out your Pav!

Canterbury Anniversary Day is Friday 16 Nov so let's get together and celebrate all things Kiwi.  Join us for an evening of Kiwi-fusion fare and fun.  We will have three different chefs for the evening which will make for some interesting combinations!

Friday 16th November, 7:00pm

Menu:
First course:  Stuffed Mussels and Shrimp Cocktail

Main course:  Roast Lamb with Rosemary, Gin and Garlic Creme Sauce served with Potato Gratin, Prosciutto Asparagus and Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese.

Dessert:  Duo of Kiwi classics: Trifle and Mini Pavlova


Post event update:
What an amazing dinner!

Want to jump in the deep end?

Interest in the ChCh Underground Dinner Club is growing each day and there are some exciting dinners planned for the upcoming summer season! If you are interested in hosting a dinner (at your place or you can do it at ChChUDC Headquarters) let us know.  E-mail us at chchudc@gmail.com.

Willkommen!

"Yum, let's do German!" she said while looking through some old travel photos.  I found a German friend to help, we have a great menu planned with traditional German fare and a few of our modern twists thrown in for good measure. Join the ChCh Underground Dinner Club for a fun evening of authentic German cuisine.

When:  Saturday October 27th, 2012.  7:00pm

First course:  Trio of Sausages with Pretzel Spirals served with Mustards
Main course:  Traditional Rouladen served with Braised Red Cabbage and Potato Croquettes
Dessert:  Rote Grütze with Vanilla Sauce and Cream


This event is fully booked.

Post event pictures added below!  What a great event!  Thanks to Iris for being our guest chef for the evening and leading songs for our schnapps.

Pretzels with a trio of sausages and mustard.  The cranberry mustard was unreal!

Rouladen with braised cabbage and potato croquettes.

Roete Gruetze with vanilla sauce.

Modern Mexican Fiesta 22 September

ChCh Underground Dinner Club presents a Modern Mexican Fiesta!

Saturday 22nd September.  7:00pm

Please note, this event is now fully booked.

Menu:
First course: Antojitos- a sample plate of Tequila Lime Ceviche, Puerco Pibil Mini Tacos, and Vaquero Quesadillas

Main course: Oaxacan Mole Negro Tamales with Traditional Rice and Black Beans

Dessert: Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches with Salted Caramel Sauce

Margaritas, Mexican beer and non-alcoholic drinks included.

AFTER LAST CALL...

The Mexican Fiesta was a winner.  Amazing food, the table and decorations looked stunning and everyone had a great time. Pictures below!

The Main Course!  Mole Negro tamales with rice and beans.

 

Inaugural Meet and Greet 8/Sep/2012

When:  Saturday 8 September, 2012, 7pm
Where: Headquarters, Heathcote Valley, Christchurch (contact for address)

Join us for small bites and bubbly at the Inaugural Meet and Greet event for the ChCh Underground Dinner Club.  Meet other like-minded foodies and get the details about this crazy idea and see if you want to sign up to host your own underground pop-up restaurant.  This is an open event and anyone is invited to participate. 
RSVP through the events page on Facebook Christchurch Underground Dinner Club. 

Post event pictures:
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Inaugural Meet and Greet.  All those who attended received a ticket for a future event and enjoyed some fun mini treats.

 Mini candied apples with various toppings, vegetarian spring rolls, mini albondigas sliders,  olive and cheese skewers and mini Caesar salad cups.  Also served on the night: goat cheese, bacon and date filo parcels and mini bacon, brie and apple sandwiches.