Friday, January 8, 2027
La Dolce Vita
A Tour of Italy
Pull up a chair. Bring your appetite.
The Evening
What's on the menu? Everything.
We're taking a delicious journey through the regions of Italy — from a Calabrian onion soup to Campanian seafood, a family-style main course from across the peninsula, and an Italian dessert finale. Dress comfortably. Eat enthusiastically.
When
Friday, January 8, 2027
Formal dinner begins at 7:00 PM
Dinner
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Cocktail reception from 5:30 PM
Where
Bara's Residence
Details shared with confirmed guests
The Full Experience
Your afternoon begins long before dinner.
The Tour of Italy starts at 3:30 PM — with three hands-on Italian activities across three homes — before everyone reunites for cocktails and a formal dinner for 16.
3:30 PM
Pioneer Pickup
Drivers pick up all 15 Pioneers + 1 spouse from their homes and transport them to one of three activity locations.
3:45 – 5:05 PM
Three Italian Activities
Each group of five takes part in a different hands-on Italian experience — calligraphy, arancini making, or meatball making.
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Cocktail Reception
All three groups reunite for an Italian cocktail hour — cheese, wine, sparkling beverages, and good conversation.
6:45 PM
Arrival at Bara's Residence
Guests are chauffeured to the dinner venue, greeted by the Front-of-House team, and escorted to their assigned seats.
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Formal Dinner
A four-course Tour of Italy dinner — Calabrian soup, Campanian appetizer, family-style main course, and an Italian dessert buffet.
Afternoon Activities
You'll help make the dinner.
The afternoon activities aren't just fun — they're connected to the meal. The calligraphy becomes your name card. The arancini and meatballs end up on the table.
Led by Daniel
Pioneer Name Calligraphy
Write your fellow Pioneers' names in calligraphy on dried lasagna pasta sheets. These become the personalized name cards at the formal dinner table.
Arancini
Italian Rice Ball Making
Shape, fill, bread, and tray the arancini. The ones you make this afternoon will be finished in the kitchen and served as a side dish at dinner.
Handmade Meatballs
Italian Meatball Making
Mix, portion, and roll handmade Italian meatballs from scratch. They'll be incorporated into the main course later that evening.
Dinner Menu
A four-course Tour of Italy.
Each course represents a different region of Italy — from the toe of the boot to the streets of Naples.
Tropea Onion Soup
Served with Italian bread and dipping oil
Polpo alla Luciana or Italian Eggplant Salad
Chef's selection on the evening
Handmade Arancini, Meatballs & Regional Dishes
Served family style — made by the Pioneers themselves
Tiramisu, Panna Cotta, Sorbetto al Limone, Biscotti
With coffee and espresso
A little taste
What awaits you
Spoiler: it involves a lot of pasta, wine, and very good company.
Don't be shy
Will you join us?
Let us know you're coming so we can set a place for you.