Fork & Friend
An immersive cultural dinner series where each month highlights a new country through food. Local restauranters share their culture and inspiration over a meal. Think global exploration, all within city limits.
Fork & Friend reservations will be available soon!! In the meantime, fill out the form below to get updates.
Fork & Friend
OMAHA | DES MOINES | LINCOLN | KANSAS CITY | DENVER
January
Peru (Pan-Latin)
February
India
March
Ireland
April
Brazil
May
Mexico
June
Japan
July
South Africa
August
Italy
September
Germany
October
Greece
November
Cuba
December
Thailand
Event Extras
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Momento Passport – Get your passport stamped each month and watch your Paper Lantern world tour grow.
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Global Playlist – A curated playlist from the featured country so you can step into the culture before, during, or after the event.
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Event Page – A shared space featuring member photos, reflections, and memories so you can see the journey across the entire Paper Lantern community.
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Cultural Snapshot – A short story or insight from our facilitator that brings the featured country’s traditions and flavors to life.
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Local Connection – A highlight of the restaurant’s roots in your city and how their culture shows up in the dishes they serve.
- Event Activities –Â Curated activities to help you learn about the food and culture of our selected region and bring some extra fun to the evening.
- Event Facilitation – A Paper Lantern facilitator is there to greet the group, introduce the culture we’re exploring, and help everyone ease into the experience.
What is Fork and Friend
Fork & Friend is a monthly cultural dining experience where we visit a local restaurant rooted in a different country. It’s our way of exploring the world together without leaving town.
Do I need to be a Paper Lantern member to attend?
Yes. Fork & Friend is a members-only experience, and all members are welcome to register. Registration is first-come, first-served as space may be limited.
How big are the groups?
Average group size is 12 attendees, but group size depends on your city and the restaurant we’re partnering with that month.
How are dates and locations chosen?
Each month’s restaurant is announced two or more weeks before the event, along with the date and group size for your city. They are selected by our team of professional planners based on the theme, value, and overall experience offered to guests. If you're interested in serving as a location please contact info@ashlingevents.com.
How does registration work?
Registration is first-come, first-served. Once spots are gone, they’re gone for that month. A limited number of All-Access passes are available to annual Paper Lantern members to secure their spot at all events in the Fork & Friend series. If you have an all-access pass and are unable to attend a scheduled date, you may transfer your registration to another Paper Lantern event of equal value.
Is there a fee to attend?
Yes, there is a $15 registration fee to help cover planning and hosting costs. This fee does not include food. You will be responsible for your own food and drink purchases at the event.
What if I need to cancel?
If you can’t make it after reserving a spot, you can transfer your registration to another Paper Lantern event of equal value, as long as you notify us at least 7 days in advance. Cancellations within the 7 day timeframe are non-refundable.
Can I bring a guest?
Space is extremely limited for the Fork & Friend event series and a Paper Lantern Membership is required for every participant. If you have a membership including a guest pass, you are not required to bring the same guest every time. You must purchase a ticket for every attending guest.
Is there a set menu?
No. We’re not doing a prix fixe menu. Everyone orders directly from the restaurant so you can try what interests you and explore the cuisine in your own way.
Who leads the experience?
A Paper Lantern facilitator will be there to welcome everyone, share background about the featured country and restaurant, and help the group settle in. They’re a friendly host who sets the tone and gets the conversation (and the cultural experience) started.
Do we sit together?
Yes. When possible, the group will be seated together or in nearby tables so the experience feels shared and connected. If you would like to sit next to a specific attendee, please let your Paper Lantern representative know and we will make arrangements.