thanksgiving dinner

Friday 26th November 2010
Hosted by The reform club

The penultimate event of the 2010 Inter-Club calendar proved to be a great success thanks to the Reform Club’s hosting of a splendid Thanksgiving Dinner.

After a champagne reception over 70 Inter-Clubbers and our welcome guests were seated in the historic library which contains over 50,000 books. Club Chairman, Anthssssony Cardew spoke eloquently about the history and traditions of the Reform Club reminding us of its founding by Edward Ellice, Whig MP, whose skill was primarily devoted to securing the passage of the 1832 Reform Act. The new club was meant to be a centre for the radical ideas which that bill represented; a bastion of progressive thought that became closely associated with the Liberal Party. However he went on to say that the modern day Club no longer requires any particular political view of its members, and is purely social.

From its genesis, the Club has enjoyed an excellent reputation for food and wine which has continued to this day! The clam chowder followed by salt beef and pumpkin hash was beautifully accompanied by the Club White, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascoigne, Maison Sichel et Fils 08/09. The traditional roast turkey with trimmings was wonderfully complimented by the Club Claret, Chateau Redon 2005 (what a great vintage!). And the moment the pecan pie with vanilla ice cream arrived an American guest commented that it reminded her of being back at home....Edward Ellice (also a renowned gourmet) would have been proud!

This was another highly successful Inter-Club evening that was enjoyed by all who attended. Special thanks of gratitude must be extended to Paul Austin and all his staff at the Reform Club who were immensely professional throughout the progress of the event, Chairman Anthony Cardew and Rhidian Jones (Younger Members’ Representative at the Reform Club). Furthermore it was great to see James Scott (Chairman and Founder of the Inter-Club 2005-09) in attendance and his usual bon viveur self!