British/Irish/Commonwealth Club gathering

Margaret Moore Booker

It was a feast fit for a queen. The Queen of England, to be exact. For the first ever gathering of the British/Irish/Commonwealth Club on Oct. 25, our very own Chef Jose Salas (and his team, pastry chef Thomas and sous chef Sam) created a magnificent British-themed dinner. It featured sausages rolls accompanied by spicy mustard and a sprig of rosemary, a generous-sized pot pie filled to the brim with chicken and vegetables and crowned with puff pastry, and a traditional (and supremely delicious) sticky toffee pudding appropriately topped with a tiny British flag.

Other highlights of the evening included a toast to the queen given by Alastair Stone, trivia questions organized by Martin Booker, and British-themed table decorations provided by Margaret Moore Booker and Margaret O’Toole-Somenske.

Twenty people attended and the countries represented were England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. After a few pints of beer (or a glass of wine or two), there was much sharing of old and new traditions relating to our common heritage. It was a night to remember!

Membership in the club is open to all residents of SaddleBrooke Ranch who have a birth certificate or passport from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, or one of the other Commonwealth countries. (Spouses who are not from these countries are welcome at all events.) At this time, no dues are required and the club is informal, with occasional gatherings scheduled throughout the year. To join and to get your name on the list to receive information for upcoming events, please contact Margaret Moore Booker at [email protected] or 520-818-6335.

Next up is a British-themed Christmas dinner on Friday, Dec. 20, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in a private dining room at the Ranch House Grill. The menu will be a traditional roast beef and Yorkshire pudding dinner with all the trimmings, followed by a Christmas “pud.” Final cost per person to be confirmed later. Again, please contact Margaret Moore Booker to reserve a place at the dinner. Prepayment will be required.

The evening promises to be “brilliant!”