An Offal Good Dinner - The Hero's Journey

The Offal Good Dinner was a transparent excuse for feasting and drinking while sharing tall tales. As host I chose to serve a menu of less popular cuts of meat, commonly referred to as offal. To be sure, these are at the top of the offal hierarchy, but could make you a little squeamish if you aren’t familiar with them.

I presented dinner as part of a theme titled “The Hero’s Journey”. The menu was secret and the only clue given attendees was the invitation. Most thought I misspelled “awful” but were kind enough to keep that to themselves and arrived blissfully ignorant.

What is a Hero’s Journey?

Philosopher Joseph Campbell documented the stages of a recurring theme in tales of literary fiction. Ancient writing, from Homer’s Odyssey to contemporary film examples like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings illustrate this theme. In these tales a protagonist or hero embarks on a journey, encountering trials and tribulations along the way. They overcome the obstacles and eventually return to reality transformed from the experience. I thought it a perfect metaphor, because my guests would taste these for the first time and I in my role as their mentor, would lead them. For their safety throughout the journey, I bestowed upon each a protective amulet and with some liquid courage, we began the journey.