Chop & Chat: October Game Night

Chop & Chat is a monthly salon created for curious people to gather over African diaspora-inspired food, share stories, exchange ideas, and leave feeling a little more connected than when they arrived. “Chop” is a nod to Ghanaian chop bar culture: places built around good, no-fuss food and good conversation. This is my version of that. What are we eating? West African food, plus a tasting of the baked experiments: Toubamisu, plantain bread blondies, plantain chocolate chip cookies, and probably another experiment or two because → big back thoughts, big back execution. Your ticket includes the full spread, snacks, dessert, water, and nonalcoholic drinks. This is a nonalcoholic gathering. You’ll have an opportunity to share any food allergies or dietary restrictions during registration. What’s this month’s theme? Games. What if meeting someone new didn’t begin with asking what they do? Maybe it begins with an UNO card. Maybe it begins with choosing the deeply unpopular side of a ridiculous debate. Maybe it begins when someone teaches you a game they grew up playing and suddenly a table full of strangers has a shared language. That is October’s Chop & Chat. We’ll begin with one game as a room. Then the structure loosens. Choose a table. Play Ludo, Oware (Mancala), dominoes, UNO, or a conversation game. Settle into something longer, play a quick round, or switch when you’re ready. Each table will tell you how many people can play, how long a round usually takes, and everything you need to get started. No need to bring a game or study the rules beforehand. The games will be waiting for you. Here’s how the evening will unfold 6:00–6:30 PM: Come in, fix a plate, and make your name tag Settle in, eat something, and introduce yourself through one completely unserious opinion. 6:30–6:50 PM: Everybody, pick a side We’ll begin with one whole-room game. Choose a side, defend your questionable opinion, and learn a little about the people around you. 6:50–8:00 PM: Choose a table and play Settle into a longer game, play something quick, or switch tables when you’re ready. Dessert will make its appearance somewhere along the way. 8:00–8:15 PM: One last game together We’ll bring everybody back together for a final game, a prize, and a proper send-off. Please plan to arrive by 6:15 PM so you have time to settle in before the whole-room game begins. If your plans change, please cancel your registration so someone on the waitlist can join us. Can I come alone? Absolutely. You don’t need to arrive knowing anyone. Nobody needs to work the room, prepare an elevator pitch, or determine which table will let them join. We’ll begin together. After that, find a seat—or make room for someone looking for one. House Rule #1: Make room. If you see someone looking for a place to land, make room at the table. Come hungry. Come curious. Come prepared to defend at least one completely unserious opinion. A note about registration Registration requests are reviewed to help maintain the intimate, conversational nature of the gathering. Your payment method will be authorized when you register and will only be charged if your request is approved. Photography notice This gathering may be photographed or recorded. By attending, you understand that images from the evening may be used in future Chop & Chat marketing and communications. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let us know when you arrive.