San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Friends of Italy

Join us for the very first San Luis Obispo County Friends of Italy Potluck Party, where we’ll celebrate Italian culture through the joy of food, community, fun and games - including Bocce Ball! This is a great opportunity to share your cooking talents and favorite Italian recipes, as well as taste delicious homemade dishes from other members.

If you’re not a cook, no worries—bring the best restaurant or purchased option that fits the dish category of your choice!

We will be gathering in San Luis Obispo in the area of Prefumo Canyon Road/Los Oso Valley Road at the Clubhouse of one of our members. Address provided to those that RSVP.

Schedule:
2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Arrival, socialize, food prep, games!
Indoor: Scopa or Tombola!
Outdoors: ShuffleBoard, Lawn Bocce Ball, Conversation!

4:30 pm
Time to partake of the feast!

To ensure a balanced spread, please choose a dish from one of the categories below. When RSVPing, let us know what you plan to bring so we can coordinate. You can send a message to Kay Lathrop OR simply access use this Google Sheet: https://bit.ly/ItalianPotluckSignup

Make a card to label your dish so when people are circling the buffet they see “what” the dish is and who brought it, if they’d like the recipe!

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1. Antipasti (Appetizers)
Think of classic Italian starters like bruschetta, caprese salad, marinated olives, or arancini (stuffed rice balls). These are perfect for sharing and set the tone for the meal.

2. Primi Piatti (First Courses)
The heart of any Italian meal! Bring dishes such as pasta, risotto, or gnocchi—whether it’s a crowd-pleasing spaghetti alla carbonara, vegetarian lasagna, or a comforting bowl of mushroom risotto.

3. Secondi Piatti (Main Courses)
These are meat, fish, or plant-based dishes like chicken cacciatore, eggplant parmigiana, or baked fish with herbs. For those who love cooking up a more substantial meal, this is your category!

4. Dolci (Desserts)
Indulge us with sweet treats like tiramisu, cannoli, panna cotta, biscotti, or even your nonna’s favorite recipe. Homemade desserts bring the warmth of Italy to the table.

Tip: Label your dish and note if it’s vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy the meal with ease!

Looking forward to celebrating with you at this fun and flavorful event!
Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage(s) of choice. We don't have insurance so can not serve alcohol. Let’s make this a potluck to remember.

Curious about Bocce Ball? or Already know and love Bocce Ball?
We're delighted that Hotel SLO's Rooftop Terrace High Bar has a bocce call court!

Whether you're a complete beginner, have played before, or have a championship medal, come join the San Luis Obispo County Friends of Italy for a fun, social gathering to play this classic Italian game!

And of course, because of the great beverages and food at the High Bar we will be partaking! We do ask a ONE DRINK MINIMUM for each person participating so we are giving back to the hotel. The cocktails, mocktails and bites can be found here if you're curious. https://hotel-slo.com/dining/high-bar/. There is no charge for us to play. The court is first come first serve.

What is Bocce Ball?
Bocce Ball is a game that dates back to Ancient Rome and is still one of Italy's favorite sports. Played on a long, flat court, the goal is simple: get your team's balls closest to the small target ball, known as the pallino. It’s easy to learn but offers enough strategy and skill to keep things competitive!

Why Play Bocce Ball?
- It's a delightful way to meet new people and socialize!
- A fun way to enjoy the outdoors.
- Wonderful for all ages and fitness levels.
- Helps sharpen coordination and focus while enjoying some friendly competition!

What's Happening at This Meetup:
We’re hosting several events like this one, on different days and times, to see how many of our members are interested in forming regular Bocce teams in towns across SLO County, with the exciting possibility of hosting a countywide tournament or starting a league in San Luis Obispo in the future!

We’ll start with ascertaining interest and who and where that interest comes from. We'll learn or refresh on the rules, play a few casual games, and enjoy a fun, relaxed time together.

Call to Action:
Don't miss out! Come out, learn to play, playand mentor others, and meet other Italian enthusiasts. If Bocce Ball sparks your interest, this could be the start of something bigger – with regular games, teams, and maybe even tournaments! Let’s build this together.

If you know you'd like to come and yet can't please private message Kay Lathrop (don't try to respond to this message) and share where you live, what your skill level is, what your interest is and how to reach you.

Sign up now, and let's get rolling!