Guess who's coming to dinner: Why Supper Clubs are rising - People around the world are more interested than ever in sharing experiences, spaces and objects for everyday use. They stay in the homes of strangers instead of hotel rooms when traveling, rent bikes in town instead of buying them, and sharing of cabinets and tools. An increasing number of people share the meal, too - supper clubs accommodation in their homes. Three chefs explain their reasons for joining this growing trend.
Amelia Hallsworth Photography
Is it the economy, changing attitudes, social networks or interest in food that is driving the growth of supper clubs in the world? Here, three hosts in London, Rome and Stockholm talk about how and why they invite foreigners to dinner.
London, UK
entertains here chef and food Luiz writer Hara, who runs the blog, the London Foodie and is the author of the cookbook Nikkei Cuisine: Japanese Food Way South America .
Location dining room In a Victorian house in Islington, north London.
London, UK
entertains here chef and food Luiz writer Hara, who runs the blog, the London Foodie and is the author of the cookbook Nikkei Cuisine: Japanese Food Way South America .
Location dining room In a Victorian house in Islington, north London.
Amelia Hallsworth Photography
Why you start to run a supper club?
"I worked as an investment banker in the city [London’s financial district] for many years, but in 2011 I left to pursue my interest in food and wine. At that time, I had already been writing my blog, The London Foodie for three years and decided to deepen my skills in the kitchen. After my training in Japanese cuisine in Tokyo, I returned to the UK and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu.
"After these experiences, I wanted to start practicing the things I learned and began hosting supper clubs. At the first event, 14 people visited. Since then, things have been more and more and more and more ... Now I get 30 people at each event. "
"I worked as an investment banker in the city [London’s financial district] for many years, but in 2011 I left to pursue my interest in food and wine. At that time, I had already been writing my blog, The London Foodie for three years and decided to deepen my skills in the kitchen. After my training in Japanese cuisine in Tokyo, I returned to the UK and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu.
"After these experiences, I wanted to start practicing the things I learned and began hosting supper clubs. At the first event, 14 people visited. Since then, things have been more and more and more and more ... Now I get 30 people at each event. "
Amelia Hallsworth Photography
do you have tableware for 30 people
"now, I do - but the collection has been growing as well I like to mix! vintage dishes and modern food and prefer to buy chairs, cutlery, decorations, plates and glasses in the antique shops and second-hand markets, and also to find small objects abroad. "
"now, I do - but the collection has been growing as well I like to mix! vintage dishes and modern food and prefer to buy chairs, cutlery, decorations, plates and glasses in the antique shops and second-hand markets, and also to find small objects abroad. "
Amelia Hallsworth Photography
what do you usually cook your supper clubs?
"The special menu is always a surprise for the guests, but I usually serve eight to 10 courses, and theme varies. I grew up in S ã o Paulo, Brazil, with Japanese and Italian parents, this food heritage definitely inspired me, especially Japanese, Brazilian and Nikkei cuisine. But since I trained in classical French cooking, I can sometimes add elements of that too. "
"The special menu is always a surprise for the guests, but I usually serve eight to 10 courses, and theme varies. I grew up in S ã o Paulo, Brazil, with Japanese and Italian parents, this food heritage definitely inspired me, especially Japanese, Brazilian and Nikkei cuisine. But since I trained in classical French cooking, I can sometimes add elements of that too. "
Amelia Hallsworth Photography
Amelia Hallsworth Photography
What are the most common subjects to the table?
"Of course, conversations about food. Most of my clients are gourmets. Since I started my blog it seven years ago, I had readers different continents, and many of them visited my supper clubs when they went to London. and London itself is a melting pot of cultures and newcomers. my regular clients are Australians, Brazilians, Singaporeans, . to name a few nationalities therefore, we also talk about travel and dining experiences "have you been there, tried that did you?". and so on. "
"Of course, conversations about food. Most of my clients are gourmets. Since I started my blog it seven years ago, I had readers different continents, and many of them visited my supper clubs when they went to London. and London itself is a melting pot of cultures and newcomers. my regular clients are Australians, Brazilians, Singaporeans, . to name a few nationalities therefore, we also talk about travel and dining experiences "have you been there, tried that did you?". and so on. "
Amelia Hallsworth Photography
Since you are a professional chef, have you thought about opening a real restaurant?
"I was asked this question before, but one of the greatest things about supper clubs is social interaction and the opportunity to get to know new people. What makes supper clubs so different restaurants, where the removal of a conversation with a neighboring table would be considered rather eccentric. I want to keep it private to retain control over the menu and events.
"It is honor for me that people are confident and open to trying new things, giving me the confidence to cook for them. The social part is also a great thing. It is always satisfying to see a mixed group of strangers connect, exchange numbers and have a good time on my food. And over the years, many customers have become friends of mine. Eve This New Year, I actually looked around among the guests and realized that I met some of my dearest friends in the supper clubs of London. "
"I was asked this question before, but one of the greatest things about supper clubs is social interaction and the opportunity to get to know new people. What makes supper clubs so different restaurants, where the removal of a conversation with a neighboring table would be considered rather eccentric. I want to keep it private to retain control over the menu and events.
"It is honor for me that people are confident and open to trying new things, giving me the confidence to cook for them. The social part is also a great thing. It is always satisfying to see a mixed group of strangers connect, exchange numbers and have a good time on my food. And over the years, many customers have become friends of mine. Eve This New Year, I actually looked around among the guests and realized that I met some of my dearest friends in the supper clubs of London. "
Paolo Fusco photo
Rome, Italy
who entertains here Journalist and Cecilia chief Scaldaferri which r Uns blog, Cecilia kitchen witch.
location dining room in a small apartment in Ostiense, south of Rome.
who entertains here Journalist and Cecilia chief Scaldaferri which r Uns blog, Cecilia kitchen witch.
location dining room in a small apartment in Ostiense, south of Rome.
Paolo Fusco Photo
what is it like to invite strangers into your home?
"I 'm still nervous. the first time I hosted a dinner club was last summer, when I started my food blog. Opening of my house to strangers is not easy. I do not know anything at their topic: who they are, what they do, what they expect of me. Are they my food? What will they think of my house - which is, of course, a part of me, a carefully constructed piece after another? It is a kind of examination ... But it only lasts a few minutes at the beginning of the evening. Then you break the ice, and usually things are going very well. We find our way, starts talking and eating and drinking. "
"I 'm still nervous. the first time I hosted a dinner club was last summer, when I started my food blog. Opening of my house to strangers is not easy. I do not know anything at their topic: who they are, what they do, what they expect of me. Are they my food? What will they think of my house - which is, of course, a part of me, a carefully constructed piece after another? It is a kind of examination ... But it only lasts a few minutes at the beginning of the evening. Then you break the ice, and usually things are going very well. We find our way, starts talking and eating and drinking. "
Paolo Fusco Photo
What do you usually cook?
"of course, I have Italian food on my menu. But I prefer to do a cuisine revisited, taking traditional dishes and turn them into something new. For example, a typical lasagna but with asparagus, pine nuts and lemon. It is delicious! I'm seasonal products. Since I live next to one of the characteristics of the capital markets, Testaccio, I always visit in the morning to buy the ingredients for the supper club that night. "
"of course, I have Italian food on my menu. But I prefer to do a cuisine revisited, taking traditional dishes and turn them into something new. For example, a typical lasagna but with asparagus, pine nuts and lemon. It is delicious! I'm seasonal products. Since I live next to one of the characteristics of the capital markets, Testaccio, I always visit in the morning to buy the ingredients for the supper club that night. "
Paolo Fusco photo
welcome your guests in every room of your home
"it is open because it is a small apartment - 45 square meters. A large living room is separated from the kitchen by a [open] library, which allows me to be "in" the room with my guests and cook without letting people see all the mess in the kitchen. Apart from that, it is just my bedroom with dressing room and bathroom. So, no walls to separate my clients. "
Read tips on how to stay sane when having guests over
"it is open because it is a small apartment - 45 square meters. A large living room is separated from the kitchen by a [open] library, which allows me to be "in" the room with my guests and cook without letting people see all the mess in the kitchen. Apart from that, it is just my bedroom with dressing room and bathroom. So, no walls to separate my clients. "
Read tips on how to stay sane when having guests over
Paolo Fusco photo
do you have to store on anything when you started as host supper club?
"at the beginning of my club, I had to buy extra cutlery and new glasses. But I used it as an excuse to play and buy new things :. Plates, pots, various tools "
"at the beginning of my club, I had to buy extra cutlery and new glasses. But I used it as an excuse to play and buy new things :. Plates, pots, various tools "
Paolo Fusco photo
what do you like most about supper clubs?
"I love to have people sitting around a table, eating and chatting, sharing my passion for food and tips for trips, movies and books. Initially, mainly foreign tourists visited my dinners. It was a deliberate choice, since I am a journalist for foreign affairs, and I am fascinated by the knowledge of people from other countries. They can tell me what they do and think, and opened my eyes on how it is to live elsewhere.
"Meanwhile, the Italian customers have increased, thanks to word of mouth. If they are foreigners, they always ask me for advice Rome, recommendations that can not be found in books. and I'm more than happy to share and help them discover my "Rome".
"I love to have people sitting around a table, eating and chatting, sharing my passion for food and tips for trips, movies and books. Initially, mainly foreign tourists visited my dinners. It was a deliberate choice, since I am a journalist for foreign affairs, and I am fascinated by the knowledge of people from other countries. They can tell me what they do and think, and opened my eyes on how it is to live elsewhere.
"Meanwhile, the Italian customers have increased, thanks to word of mouth. If they are foreigners, they always ask me for advice Rome, recommendations that can not be found in books. and I'm more than happy to share and help them discover my "Rome".
Nadja Endler | Photography
Stockholm, Sweden
who entertains here Anna Nilsson, who works as a project manager in a retail agency.
Location dining room in a Sodermalm apartment in southern Stockholm, Sweden
who entertains here Anna Nilsson, who works as a project manager in a retail agency.
Location dining room in a Sodermalm apartment in southern Stockholm, Sweden
Nadja Endler. | Photography
When did you start inviting strangers to your house for dinner?
"I got the idea when AirDine application was launched in Sweden in March. I had three dinners to date and will host the fourth this weekend.
"When I invited people for the first time, it was with mixed feelings. It happened to be the Easter weekend, so a few days before the dinner, guest, which was first agreed, had to cancel, so suddenly it was just me and a guest. It did not feel super-exciting, but someone else has signed, and I thought that the risk that there would be two maniacs was rather small. It ended with the three of us having a good night! It was myself, a personal trainer of 27 years and 53 years, director of communication -. Three very different people, united by an interest in food and curiosity "
Follow the quick-fix way to get your home ready to receive
"I got the idea when AirDine application was launched in Sweden in March. I had three dinners to date and will host the fourth this weekend.
"When I invited people for the first time, it was with mixed feelings. It happened to be the Easter weekend, so a few days before the dinner, guest, which was first agreed, had to cancel, so suddenly it was just me and a guest. It did not feel super-exciting, but someone else has signed, and I thought that the risk that there would be two maniacs was rather small. It ended with the three of us having a good night! It was myself, a personal trainer of 27 years and 53 years, director of communication -. Three very different people, united by an interest in food and curiosity "
Follow the quick-fix way to get your home ready to receive
Nadja Endler | Photography
what do you usually cook ?
"the menu varies and I like to mix it up. I often use many small and medium dishes. It is mostly because I'm a hard time deciding exactly what to cook, but also because it's fun to be able to offer many different dishes, so you can have more flavor. I love street food abroad, where the flavors really maximized evoke magic in a simple and authentic way. Classic 'street food' is generally the basis of my recipes before turning them in myself. "
"the menu varies and I like to mix it up. I often use many small and medium dishes. It is mostly because I'm a hard time deciding exactly what to cook, but also because it's fun to be able to offer many different dishes, so you can have more flavor. I love street food abroad, where the flavors really maximized evoke magic in a simple and authentic way. Classic 'street food' is generally the basis of my recipes before turning them in myself. "
Nadja Endler | Photography
How would you describe your night at supper club?
"in the beginning, there is always a bit of gossip. My apartment has an interior style very personal; I filled with personal things and travel memories, which tend to quickly become a topic of conversation. After half an hour, I invite people to the dinner table, where there is a written menu in each setting, and then I also explains the rules for the evening. "
"in the beginning, there is always a bit of gossip. My apartment has an interior style very personal; I filled with personal things and travel memories, which tend to quickly become a topic of conversation. After half an hour, I invite people to the dinner table, where there is a written menu in each setting, and then I also explains the rules for the evening. "
Nadja Endler | Photography
You have rules?
"Yes. First, it passes into the kitchen. It is not uncommon that it is quite complicated there when I prepare dinner. And I mean, it's not like you help the server to clear the table in a restaurant, so why would you do here? Another rule is that customers should not eat if they do love food. They actually pay for dinner, I cook, then it is to each of them if they want to eat or not.
"If only I invite friends for dinner, it does not matter if I can burn the steak, they will eat and be happy anyway. Here it is different thing.
sparklers "in each guest's seat, I also prepared. At any time during dinner, guests can light the sparkler and that person has the floor. So if you want to change the subject, give a little speech or voice in a discussion, simply turning on the candle. "
"Yes. First, it passes into the kitchen. It is not uncommon that it is quite complicated there when I prepare dinner. And I mean, it's not like you help the server to clear the table in a restaurant, so why would you do here? Another rule is that customers should not eat if they do love food. They actually pay for dinner, I cook, then it is to each of them if they want to eat or not.
"If only I invite friends for dinner, it does not matter if I can burn the steak, they will eat and be happy anyway. Here it is different thing.
sparklers "in each guest's seat, I also prepared. At any time during dinner, guests can light the sparkler and that person has the floor. So if you want to change the subject, give a little speech or voice in a discussion, simply turning on the candle. "
Nadja Endler | Photography
Why do you call people
"Two reasons - Food and meetings with people. I grew up in Skåne [in southern Sweden] with a mother who always cooked from scratch using real ingredients and a father who was a farmer - which explains my interest in good food. My curiosity has probably always existed.
"In Stockholm, I think many people just hanging out with like minded people, but these dinners are a way to try something new and may make your little broader perspective. in addition, food unites people, and it's fun for me to test new ideas in the kitchen and get a more honest assessment. "
"Two reasons - Food and meetings with people. I grew up in Skåne [in southern Sweden] with a mother who always cooked from scratch using real ingredients and a father who was a farmer - which explains my interest in good food. My curiosity has probably always existed.
"In Stockholm, I think many people just hanging out with like minded people, but these dinners are a way to try something new and may make your little broader perspective. in addition, food unites people, and it's fun for me to test new ideas in the kitchen and get a more honest assessment. "
Nadja Endler | Photography
Is there much discussion?
"Yes, it is one of the things I love most in my supper clubs - that foreigners of different ages, backgrounds, professions and personalities must interact with each other.
"It becomes a bit like a reality show, and when the usual common denominators are not there, you quickly enter new paths of conversation you do otherwise follow, such as phobias and political views. Force is to stretch social boundaries.
"If it gets too rough, I like the hostess, can still break with a sorbet with fresh mango."
"Yes, it is one of the things I love most in my supper clubs - that foreigners of different ages, backgrounds, professions and personalities must interact with each other.
"It becomes a bit like a reality show, and when the usual common denominators are not there, you quickly enter new paths of conversation you do otherwise follow, such as phobias and political views. Force is to stretch social boundaries.
"If it gets too rough, I like the hostess, can still break with a sorbet with fresh mango."
Nadja Endler | Photography
Why do you think the supper clubs have become so popular?
"On one hand I think it is a reaction against cats and anonymous online forums. Now we want to meet in real life again! And occasions when you can meet new people - we really want them Swedes It is easy to get out and others, but many of us that still hang out with our friends and acquaintances at dinner clubs, you can enjoy excellent home cooking without.. standing by the stove you. I hope more people discover the charm of this. "
Have you hosted or attended a supper club? Did it work for you? Share your experiences in the comments below.
"On one hand I think it is a reaction against cats and anonymous online forums. Now we want to meet in real life again! And occasions when you can meet new people - we really want them Swedes It is easy to get out and others, but many of us that still hang out with our friends and acquaintances at dinner clubs, you can enjoy excellent home cooking without.. standing by the stove you. I hope more people discover the charm of this. "
Have you hosted or attended a supper club? Did it work for you? Share your experiences in the comments below.