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
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
MEMBER HOSTED
PRIVATE CHEF DINNER
A Mediterranean multi-course meal prepared and served by a local chef.
MEMBER-HOSTED
LOBSTER ROLL PARTY
Make your own lobster rolls at at private home on Peaks Island!
MEMBER-HOSTED
BLIND WINE TASTING CONTEST
Bring a covered bottle of wine and join the contest. Your wine could win.
MEMBER HOSTED
GOURMET POTLUCK
A gourmet pot-luck with a twist
Theme: FRENCH!
MEMBER-HOSTED
V-DAY COCKTAILS
Learned how to prepare, create and mix unique specialty cocktails with the Valentines Day theme.
MEMBER-HOSTED
CRÊPE PARTY
Learn the French secret for how to make perfect crêpes
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.
BROKEN ARROW
Back by popular demand! A multi-course Chef Tasting Menu specially curated for us. With optional cocktail and wine pairing.
CHEZ ROSA
French comfort food influenced by their local seafood, farms and pastures.
MAKER'S GALLEY
Portland’s most unique restaurant and marketplace located on Portland’s waterfront.
MEMBER HOSTED
OYSTER SHARING AND GYOTAKU DEMO
A private oyster talk and tasting and art demonstration.
MEMBER-HOSTED
NEW ORLEANS GUMBO PARTY
Members have teamed up to host a special dinner featuring a New Orleans theme.
SUR LIE
We return to one of the top rated restaurants! Eclectic tapas style serving local food. Truly delicious!
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)