White plate

MAKE FRIENDS and BUILD COMMUNITY over food.
One meal at a time.

Members are invited to EXCLUSIVE EVENTS
at public venues and in private homes.

 

A TASTE OF SOME

UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE GREATER PORTLAND AREA

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MEMBERS ONLY

FALL FEST

Join us for another intimate dinner party, this time with an Asian Fusion theme.  A multi-course meal cooked by an up-and-coming private chef. Celebrate the beginning of Fall.

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MEMBERS ONLY

SOLO ITALIANO

Italian cuisine–fresh from the farm and the sea and prepared from the heart by the winner of both the 1992 Best Young Chef in Italy and 2008 Pesto World Championship awards. An authentic Italian communal meal.

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MEMBERS ONLY

GATHER

A neighborhood restaurant in Yarmouth that serves elevated comfort food. Putting the spotlight on Maine ingredients and ever changing seasonality. 

What is FRIENDS WITH FORKS?

Making friends and building community over food is the core mission of Friends with Forks.

We create monthly events in a variety of restaurants, and smaller intimate events in private homes, on farms, on boats, etc.

Come have a drink, share a meal, learn about wines, foods and about each other.

Become part of a communal dining experience.

 

SELECTED RECENT EVENTS

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MEMBERS ONLY

DINNER AT AN ART FARM

Join us at the Two Diamond Art Farm in Saco prepared and served by a private chef with an artist talk.

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SALTWATER GRILL

CELEBRATION HAPPY HOUR

The membership is 1-year old and we are hosting a party at Saltwater Grille.

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MEMBER HOSTED

PRIVATE CHEF DINNER

A Mediterranean multi-course meal prepared and served by a local chef.

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MEMBER-HOSTED

LOBSTER ROLL PARTY

Make your own lobster rolls at at private home on Peaks Island!

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MEMBER-HOSTED

BLIND WINE TASTING CONTEST

Bring a covered bottle of wine and join the contest. Your wine could win. 

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MEMBER HOSTED

GOURMET POTLUCK

A gourmet pot-luck with a twist
Theme: FRENCH!

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MEMBER-HOSTED

V-DAY COCKTAILS

Learned how to prepare, create and mix unique specialty cocktails with the Valentines Day theme.

Andre and Lynn
MEMBER-HOSTED

CRÊPE PARTY

Learn the French secret for how to make perfect crêpes 

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HOME HOSTED

WARM YOUR HEART, FEED YOUR SOUL

A night of comfort food in the coldest days of winter. Good wine, acoustic music and a special intimate talk about how Leigh (Holy Donut) started a heart-felt business from scratch.

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BROKEN ARROW

Back by popular demand! A multi-course Chef Tasting Menu specially curated for us. With optional cocktail and wine pairing.

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CHEZ ROSA

French comfort food influenced by their local seafood, farms and pastures.

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MAKER'S GALLEY

Portland’s most unique restaurant and marketplace located on Portland’s waterfront.

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MEMBER HOSTED

OYSTER SHARING AND GYOTAKU DEMO

A private oyster talk and tasting and art demonstration.

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MEMBER-HOSTED

NEW ORLEANS GUMBO PARTY

Members have teamed up to host a special dinner featuring a New Orleans theme.

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SUR LIE

We return to one of the top rated restaurants!  Eclectic tapas style serving local food. Truly delicious!

Friends with Forks now welcomes new members

Why join?

It is never just about the food, but about sharing meals together and creating sustainable and lasting connections with new friends.

As a member you get access to all the exclusive events, and you can also be a host and create your own. (with our support)

You are not just going to a one-off meal, but you become a part of the Friends and Forks community!

 

The Back Story

Hello there. I'm  Laurel Chiten, the founder of Friends with Forks.

I was an award winning independent filmmaker and made films for over 30 years. (Blind Dog Films) I am also a foodie and lived in Manhattan.

One summer day in 2019, I walked into a restaurant around the corner from me, and I had a vision of people in my neighborhood sitting around a table eating together.

That was it! The idea was born! I dropped my film career, made a 180 degree turn to make this dream come to life.

Originally launched in January 2020 in New York City as Dinner Mates. We took off like a rocket! All our events sold out.

Then, the pandemic happened...

I left NYC, moved to South Portland, and relaunched Dinner Mates here. A year later I renamed it Friends with Forks.

 

ox Laurel (and my pup Sprout)

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Watch this video!

Want to join now?

Not ready to join yet?

Join the Friends with Forks Community

Thank you for joining the 

Friends with Forks Community

Dinner Mates Club 

Get notified as soon as enrollment opens up again

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Thank you!

That's it for now.

While waiting, feel free to try out any event as a guest!

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Become a Dinner Mates Ambassador

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Thank you for your curiosity!

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