Bring home the bacon and ...

The growth of delegating dinner-parts as a way of simplifying company dinners was reported in our November issue. Consumers who read that issue told me that I didn't go nearly far enough to describe what's happening. Some dinner hostesses try to delegate the entire meal! "I was just invited to a special ladies dinner in a newly remodeled kitchen. When I accepted, my friend emailed and asked me to please bring a main course entree that would serve ten guests. I emailed her back to ask if she was kidding and she said 'No. Do you really mind? I'm not certain that my new kitchen will be completed, so I thought I would ask everyone to bring dinner. After all, the company and conversation are much more important than the food.'"

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The idea that the company and conversation are more important than the food isn't new but is gaining ground. In this environment, advertising "Food Worth Talking About" really might be worth talking about.