About the Basque Country

Gastronomic societies, known as "txokos" in Bizkaia, are a local phenomenon. These are private clubs with a relaxed atmosphere where the members share a dining room and kitchen in which they prepare traditional lunches and dinners.

The oldest societies are strictly for men only, although the more recent ones accept both men and women members. There is one rule still in force according to which women can not cook or do the cleaning after the lunch or dinner. Any man or woman can enter the society but only if he comes with a member of the member.

Some gastronomic societies have stricter rules than others. Most of them choose among the members a president, a treasurer and some more important positions. Members hold periodical meetings in which they fix the rules, so even if the rules in each society are very similar, it is possible to find some rules different or odd.

Apart from the traditional gastronomy societies, there are also some other "txokos" which are not owned by a group of people but by an only person. They are usually placed on the ground floor of a house or isolated in some estates in the country. An individual person and his relatives own this place a meeting place for friends and relatives.