It's official

The Fellowship of Food (the fresh new title of the second food group I'm in) met for the second time at Maedaya in Richmond.

Stepping into this ''Izakaya'' was like stepping into a Tokyo bar. But the petite size means it isn't suitable for larger groups so we were seated upstairs in a not-so cosy area.

We left the ordering to our waiters and they brought a range of goods - from chicken strips to thin slices of pork to and pieces of green capsicum - that we were responsible for cooking on small charcoal grills placed in the middle of the table.

Is it just me, or is there a sense of irony in going out to eat only to have to cook the meal yourself?

The food was plain and, depending on whether anyone was paying attention, sometimes burnt. But there were a number of sauces on the table to add flavour. The most interesting being sesame sauce and spicy miso.

It was a fun, group thing to do but just too much effort and too much smoke in the face! My favourite thing was the plum wine and green tea fondant (strangely enough, it works) for dessert.

I can't wait to go back and stay downstairs where the food is cooked for you and all you have to worry about is how to fit everything in that you want to try. Plus the sake.