Our skewer- and fish-filled grill sizzled as peppery smoke struggled into the heavy August air. We briefly shared trivial work gossip while sipping citrus-tinged Sauvignon Blanc before consuming heartier conversations of spices, roasted vegetable favorites and how to effectively and gracefully debone fresh branzino. A last-minute bouquet of blazing sunflowers tossed on the table caught the final rays of this summery day as a small group of us sat down to experience a delectable dinner alfresco.
My husband and I love spending quality time with friends and family, especially over a collaborative spread of culinary creations and cheeky cocktails.
We also enjoy board games that encourage thought, promote conversational interaction and are just plain entertaining. After our prodigious meal this evening, a newly discovered foodie adventure has been added the menu.
Co-creators Richard and Celeste D’Anjolell of Media have assembled a tasty banquet of challenge, knowledge and wit with their intoxicating board game, Dish It Out Foodie. At first glance, it seems like a mix of Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly, but we soon realized that this game has a refreshing zest all its own.
Using a nine-inch cardboard pizza box as the game’s packaging is pure genius. Tucked purposely inside is a folding gameboard, a cookie bag containing “Pot Luck” and “Foodie Finish” cards, category-coded question-and-answer cards wrapped in “popcorn” and “peanuts” bags and several sparkling multifaceted colorful ice chips.
“We wanted the packaging to say food and fun,” states Celeste. “It took us 18 months to research over 900 questions and answers, design the board and create the packaging, game pieces and rules,” adds Richard.
Okay then. Let’s devour this game.
At this point in the evening, we opted to serve some grilled peaches. We added local strawberries and blueberries over chunks of pound cake drizzled with chocolate-balsamic sauce and house-made whipped cream as we began to whet our appetites with the game.
The objective of Dish It Out Foodie is to collect six ice chips (one for each category) while moving clockwise around the hand-designed game board, answering food-related trivia questions along the way. Categories include Ways and Means (how and why), Let It Pour (beverages), Food for Thought (food whimsy), World of Fares (planet of food), Melange (mixed bag) and Happy Endings (desserts).
The questions are fresh, thought-provoking and cover everything from “What meat pie is baked with a crust of mashed potatoes?” and “What 2006 movie examines health issues of the American diet by grabbing food on the go?” to “What alcoholic beverage is made from the Japanese rice called shuzo kotekimai?” and “In diner speak, what are life preservers and sinkers?”
Additional trivia facts are offered up when a game player lands on a Pot Luck space and include “Established in Canada in 1786, Molson is the oldest brewery in North America—Move Ahead 2 spaces” or “To collect import taxes, the 1893 U.S. Supreme Court decided a tomato is not a fruit, but is a vegetable. Fruits had no import taxes, vegetables did—Go Back 6 spaces.”
We found ourselves genuinely intrigued and surprised by many of these foodie facts, causing us to dish up personal stories of kitchen disasters, baking fiascos and favorite TV chefs while we continued rolling the die, queuing questions and sipping strong coffee.
Dodging additional obstacles along the way before answering a “Foodie Finish” general knowledge question brings the game to its flavorful conclusion.
One player in our group had initially expressed concern and felt intimidated by the more “well-seasoned” foodies at the table. However, he consistently came up with the most correct answers (he obviously watches the Food Channel on the down low) and won the game (he won’t be invited back), proving that Dish It Out Foodie is for everyone.
If you’re looking for a way to engage your guests at the next dinner party or barbecue or just want to hang out to share stories while taking things to the next delicious level, we recommend checking out this rave-worthy winner. Setup is a piece of cake, the directions are well-prepared and a scrumptious time was had by all. The game is for two to six players of all ages, although we wouldn’t suggest including children under 12.
Dish It Out Foodie can be gobbled up for $35 plus shipping on Amazon, eBay and the game’s website; additionally, you can find it at Local Home and Gifts in downtown Media. Richard and Celeste also frequent craft shows and farmers’ markets in the area.
Insider Tip: Take advantage of a special discount on the Dish It Out Foodie website by mentioning PA Eats during the month of September (just the right gift for the holidays or for that hard-to-buy for foodie fanatic’s birthday!).
- Photography: Ed Williams
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