Saturday, Jan. 18: Dining at Downton: A Trial By Fork

Key Center Pierce County Library

By John Kephart on January 13, 2014

If you're a fan of Downton Abbey, and have craved receiving a fancy engraved invitation that reads, "Lord and Lady Hinklebottom request your company for dinner at Hinklebottom Manor in East Thrappingstock," then this is your lucky day. OK, "Hinklebottom Manor" is actually the Key Center Pierce County Library and "East Thrappingstock" is Lakebay, but it's still a fancy event. Food Historian Tames Alan discusses various aspects of British upper-class dining as it would've been eaten "upstairs" at Downton Abbey prior to the outbreak of World War I. Manners, menu and accouterments of a full 12-course meal are on the table (figuratively speaking. They are not, I repeat not actually serving a full, 12-course meal). Dining at Downton: A Trial By Fork, as the lecture is titled, promises to return participants to a era of forgotten elegance, "when setting the table was an art, and serving a meal was a well-choreographed dance," according to pre-event hype. Stay tuned for the inevitable life "downstairs" event where participants actually gather at the Lakebay Denny's to wash dishes while the head cook berates you in a charming British accent.

DINING AT DOWNTON: A TRIAL BY FORK, 2 p.m., Key Center Pierce County Library, 8905 Key Peninsula Hwy N., Lakebay, free admission, 253.548.3309