What a delight to bring eight women together, most of whom had never met because they have different interests and in different life stages, and to watch my friends become friends with one another over dinner and fabulous conversation.

I wasn't sure how a group of coworkers who barely talk outside of meetings would open up, but by the second course everyone was swapping childhood recipes and laughing like old friends.

My neighbor and I have waved at each other for three years. After this dinner, we actually know each other's names, stories, and favorite comfort foods.

I invited people from completely different parts of my life and watched them find common ground over a bowl of soup. That doesn't just happen — the prompts made it happen.

We hosted one for our book club and honestly the dinner conversation was better than any book we've discussed. Everyone wants to do it again next month.

The best part was my teenage daughter actually putting her phone down and asking the table about their favorite family meals. I've never seen her that engaged.