Zooming in for a virtual feast with friends
We might not be able to gather around the same table but thanks to video conferencing, South Aussies are still enjoying food, wine and good conversation with friends.
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DINNER parties and long lunches may be a thing of the past (for now), but friends are finding other ways to break bread – virtually.
South Australian socialites are turning to online platforms such as Zoom and Houseparty to catch up, without leaving home.
For copywriter Sarah Heard and partner Mark Reynolds, it’s a chance to dine with pals all over the world. The couple uses Facebook Messenger to live stream dinner parties with friends via a laptop.
“It’s easy to use, the quality of video and audio is good, and most people already have it,” Ms Heard said.
The Houseparty app is also popular. “That can be a lot of fun after dinner because it has a few games built in,” she said.
Digital catch-ups not only provide social and emotional benefits, but also an opportunity to support restaurants struggling to stay afloat.
“If we’re dining with friends from our local area we try to order delivery or takeaway from the same restaurant,” Sarah said. “It’s like we’ve all gone there for dinner – just like we did in the pre-social distancing world.”
Due to COVID-19 trading restrictions, CBD restaurants like Africola and Aces Pizza & Liquor now deliver high-quality takeaway meals, while services such as sommelier Liinaa Berry’s Wine Convive deliver hand-picked wine to homes across Adelaide metro.
Like any digital software, there are pros and cons to navigate, Ms Heard said.
“We’ve found virtual dinners work best when we’re linking up with just one other household (as opposed to three, four, or more connections),” she said. “The more households you involve, the more difficult it is for conversations to flow smoothly.”
Happy hour has gone digital, too. Purple Giraffe marketing consultant Lynda Schenk uses Zoom to host her monthly networking drinks.
“We use Zoom because it only allows one person to speak at a time,” Ms Schenk said. “One attendee thought it was even better than an in-person networking event as she got the attention of every person who was listing.”
In a strange twist, the rising popularity of virtual gatherings is making some people feel more connected than ever. “I think we’ve actually caught up with more people since we started having virtual dinners than we did before,” Ms Heard said.
