Here is an article I wrote a few months ago, has anyone tried this group for making friends? It sounds cool.
A little over 3 years ago Liz Elston was walking out of her Ahwatukee gym with the gossip, drama and negativity of her conversations thumping in her ears—it made her uncomfortable and she wished there were a better way of associating with women. When she came home, she read an article about a group called Chat, Chew and Chocolate.
“I felt like I needed to introduce this type of group to my community. The concept was beautifully simple. They get together over chocolate and wine and chat with each other every month. Their mantra is ‘Chit chat…with No Drama, No Business, No Snobs, No Gossip, No Negativity. Just fabulous women,” said Elston.
This kind of open, positive friendship was exactly what Elston and been craving, and the chocolate and wine didn’t sound bad either. So Elston started her own Ahwatukee chapter of Chat, Chew and Chocolate 3 years ago, and it is thriving. At their signature event last month, almost 50 women gathered at The Melting Pot to snatch up door prizes, eat great food and listen to an inspirational speaker, Mimi Meredith.
“There are women anywhere from 18 to 75 and we all get along and learn from each other. Our time together each month recharges and re-energizes our soul,” said Elston.
One of the great things about the organization is that there is no membership fee and there are no dues. You pay by event (usually about $20 depending on the venue). The Ahwatukee group also meets once a month for coffee at Mimi’s Café. They have created a close bunch of women who truly care about one another.
Terry Prince Sims of Phoenix cherishes the friendships she has started creating there since she began attending this year. “I would have to say the degree of laughter and fun differs from other women’s organizations I have attended. There is a great emphasis on enjoyment, fun, healthy learning and discussion and over all general support of women and women’s issues.”
That has been the goal of Chat, Chew, Chocolate…to let women be their best selves. One way they do this is by really getting to know one another. At each event aside from the food, chocolate, wine, giveaways and speakers there is a breakout session.
“My favorite part of the night is when we break into groups of about 6 women and we all answer 3 questions pertaining to that month’s theme. Everyone answers, so you get different perspectives from all different ladies. We break into 3 different groups through the evening and sit with different ladies each time,” said Debbie Schubert of Phoenix.
Chat, Chew & Chocolate works for any woman who is looking to take a little time each month for herself and spend it with fantastic ladies. Bobbie Bennet, of Tempe, doesn’t know what she would do with Chat, Chew & Chocolate.
“The thing I like most about attending each meeting is the way I feel when I leave. I feel more complete, more honest with myself. And most of all, inspired by such fabulous women that share some of the most intimate experiences of their life. Personal things that I could relate to but could never talk about. I’ve learned a lot about being honest with myself and nurturing goodness in others. It’s the first time in my life that I have felt such a comfort zone with other women.”
There are Chat, Chew and Chocolate chapters in Phoenix, Casa Grande, Chandler, Mesa, Ahwatukee, and Scottsdale. For more information see www.chatchewandchocolate.com
Brooke Romney is an unbalanced mom of three young boys who constantly has too much to do, and too little time. She writes the Mom Beat column for The Gilbert Republic.