The Single Gourmet of South Florida

The singles industry is nothing new to Barry Adelson and Laura Simoncini who have a combined 30 plus years of experience in the field of helping people meet people. Similar to a franchise, their area of operation covers Broward, Palm Beach and Dade counties. Adelson said it has turned out to be a fun and successful way to bring business, professional and retired people of all ages together for dinner at a number of South Florida restaurants.

As a national organization, The Single Gourmet has been around for more than twenty years and offers twenty seven territories in the United States, as well as others in Canada and London. Adelson and Simoncini are based in Pompano Beach which is central to all three counties.  According to Adelson, the local Single Gourmet organization has attracted a membership of 2500 plus people from all three counties.  Through referrals and word of mouth, as many as 30 new members sign on every week, he adds.

Prior to joining The Single Gourmet network, Adelson and Simoncini for five years ran a dating service and have both been involved in a variety of other singles-oriented ventures,

Adelson says. “We feel we offer a social setting that is far superior to any other singles situation,” says Adelson, who has lived in South Florida for more than 25 years. “Our members are men and women ranging in age from the 20’s to the 80’s. We bring them together in fine dining rooms for an evening of friendship, good conversation and dining.”

Group rate meals

Membership in The Single Gourmet costs $99.00 per year.  Each member receives a monthly newsletter that includes a calendar of upcoming events.  At least four to five dining opportunities are scheduled in a typical month, and some weeks offer as many as two or three gatherings.  Among the restaurants that have hosted many Single Gourmet events are Brook’s in Deerfield Beach, La Vieille Maison, Auberge Le Grillon, Nick’s Italian Fisheries and Chop House, and Meson Madrid in Boca Raton, Primavera and La-Traviatta in Fort Lauderdale, Martha’s Supper Club and Revolution 2029 in Hollywood, Capriccio’s in Pembroke Pines, Churchill’s in Cooper City, Villa Perrone in Hallandale, La Stella in Sunrise, Chowder’s, Flavor’s of Italy and P. August in Coral Springs, and Benvenuto’s in Boynton Beach. Each meal is offered to members at special group rates, and the price – depending on the restaurant – has ranged from $25 to $50, Adelson says.  Single Gourmet members book the events that appeal to them. At the dinners members are seated according to age and interest most often at round tables of ten to create a comfortable setting that encourages conversation, Adelson says.

Earlier this month, for instance, more than 175 Single Gourmet members paid $46 each – including wine, tax and gratuity – to attend a five course dinner at Brook’s Restaurant in Deerfield Beach.  A get-acquainted social hour took place from 7 – 8 P.M., followed by a gourmet dinner with individuals making their own selections from Brook’s extensive menu. Waiters poured wine continuously throughout the dinner.  “Our members raved about the presentation, food and service,” says Adelson.  The singles gathering marked the first time the restaurant had hosted such an event, says Brook’s Manager Reid Stone. “It opens us up to a new variety of people,” he says, adding that he really enjoyed working with Barry to put together the evening.  I really liked working with Barry. He’s very professional.

Meets a need

Simoncini says The Single Gourmet gatherings are popular simply because they meet a need – especially for people who find themselves suddenly single because of a death, divorce or relocation. The group offers a safe, supervised setting to expand their social lives and make new friends, she says. We offer an opportunity to people who are out of touch for one reason or another to reconnect with others in a very acceptable setting,”  Simoncini says. “A number of our members have been transferred or relocated here and were already members elsewhere,” adds Adelson. “They know from experience that this works.”

Making the same point is Bruce Gold of Pompano Beach who moved to South Florida eight years ago from New York. “I’ve tried a lot of different singles groups,” says Gold, who works in the packing and shipping industry. “Believe me, this is the best I have ever encountered. It’s a great way to meet men and women, without pressure, in elegant restaurants you might never go to on your own.” Gold has never married, but he is optimistic that he will someday. “Hopefully, I’ll meet someone through The Single Gourmet,” he says.

A membership in one Single Gourmet territory is honored in all of the others – a fact appreciated by Marilyn Caswell of Pompano Beach. “I’ve met some lovely men and women at the four events I attended here,” she says. And on a recent trip to New York City, Caswell took her two daughters to a Single Gourmet event at Hastings on The Hudson. “We all had a fine time, and incidentally, we met people in our own age and interest groups. One of my girls actually did some successful networking, and the result was a new business contact.” Testimonials like that are music to Adelson’s ears. “That’s what we are all about,” he says. “We know new friendships are made, many business cards and telephone numbers are exchanged and many romances have blossomed.”

For information about The Single Gourmet, call 954-723-9608 or 561-276-2595 or 305-371-8717.

(Reprinted with permission of The Pompano Pelican.)