We always have the gala in mid- to late February, but we never know when for certain until the club calendar is settled. This year's event will be a week earlier than usual, on Saturday, 18 February 2012.
Richmond and I have a month to plan and execute a party for an unknown number of guests, not fewer than 60 and not more than 100 or so, with an unknown budget based on the number of guests.
That sounds like madness, and I guess it is. But we do this for fun, and to show off what the club can do when it sets it collective mind to a great party. We don't make a profit on it, and we don't lose money - we use every dollar that comes in to set out aweseome foodie goodness for our friends. So if someone signs up at the last minute, we take their money and buy some other delicacy to set out.