how to chowdown?

[Michelly]

How does one arrange or join a chowdown? Does one announce that they'll be at this restaurant at this day and time and whoever wants to join can come in, sit down and discuss the food?

[limster]

The way I've done it is to post an announcement on the relevant board with the restaurant, date and time for the chowdown, and an email address that I can be reached at, with a request that folks who want to come should contact me via email. Usually a date ~1-2 weeks after the announcement is good, as it gives people enough time to plan and respond to you. I'll email [e-mail] to tell them to make the post sticky so that it stays at the top of the board.

I'll accept the first n people that respond via email (where n is the maximum number of people for the chowdown, typically 10 is good maximum number) and keep a waiting list if necessary for last minute drop outs (always happens).

Usually I email a reminder 1-2 days before the chowdown with the date, time and place and a link to google maps.

As a general rule that I held over from my SF chowhound days, the last person to arrive has the responsibility of posting about the meal (not necessarily full details, but enough to get the ball rolling), and the rest of the participants can join in on the thread to give their impressions.

After the chowdown is over, I email the moderators to remove the annoucement.

[The Chowhound Team]

Here are the etiquette guidelines: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/36760...

They're not really a how-to, just some factors to keep in mind, like anonymity, and not asking for RSVPs, etc, on the boards.