The inside info on supper clubs and pop up restaurants

Want to set up a supper club? Or go along to a pop up restaurant? Here are some facts you might need to know.

Pop-up restaurants and supper clubs are the hottest new dining trend. We quizzed four hosts for insider tips on the trend and what to expect if you go to one. 

Themed pop up restaurants and supper clubs
If you’re thinking of launching your own supper club, consider a theme. According to Genevieve Taylor, who runs the An Egg A Day Supper Club in Bristol, this can be a great starting point.

“Having a theme is good, because it gives a structure to work to,” she explains. There are supper clubs for almost any style of cuisine, some with more unusual themes. May 2011 saw the launch of London’s Fugu Supper Club, serving up a six-course fugu feast to thrill-seeking diners.

[Useful: How to start your own gourmet pop up restaurant]

Supper club food shouldn’t be ‘mediocre’
When asked about what food a prospective supper club host should cook, our hosts are unanimous. “You shouldn't, in my opinion, be trying to recreate restaurant-style food because that's not really the point,” James Ramsden, from The Secret Larder Supper Club in North London told us.

“But nor should you be just banging out pasta with tomato sauce. Plan a menu that is going to be interesting to the diners without being a nightmare for the cook”. Matt, from the Pistachio and Pickle supper club in East London agrees. “Supper clubs are not restaurants, but that doesn’t mean the food should be mediocre”.

Professional qualifications not necessary – but a love of food is essential
While many supper club owners aren’t professional chefs, they do all share a love of food. Matt tells us that “it is not important to have a professional background in cooking”, but an interest in different flavour combinations, food presentation and a passion for creating exciting menus all help.

Genevieve adds: “You do need to be competent in the kitchen and confident that you can cook for decent numbers of people”. After all, cooking for around 20 paying guests packs a lot more pressure than your average dinner party with friends.

How to pay at a supper club
Part of the appeal of supper clubs is that they are informal, when you compare them to the structure of a restaurant. In most cases, instead of a bill at the end of your meal you will be asked for a ‘suggested donation’, which is advertised before the dinner and normally paid after the meal.

Genevieve tells us that the payment system “works on trust,” adding “we had little envelopes passed round at the end and we collected the money in a bowl”.

Bring a bottle
Some supper clubs provide a welcoming cocktail or a glass of champagne, but most will work on a ‘bring your own’ basis for drinks. The cost of drinks is not usually included in the suggested donation price. For slightly more formal pop up restaurants, drinks are often included, and normally stated on the menu. Hosts will usually let you know before the event, but if in doubt check.

Social networking
For the latest supper club and pop up restaurant news, connect with hosts on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. If you’re thinking of starting one yourself, connect with bloggers and prospective diners by launching a website and a mailing list for news, menus and future dates. James offers the following advice: “Start talking to the food community.

It’s a bit scary at first but eventually you’ll pick up followers - people are always interested in a new supper club”. Steve, who co-runs Pistachio and Pickle, tells us that “perseverance is key too. Don’t expect a full house for your first supper club,” adding that establishing “a regular presence” on Twitter will eventually pay off.

‘Secret’ locations
Because supper clubs are hosted in private homes, the address isn’t given out until just before the event. Locations for organised pop up restaurants are often released in the same way, and these can be held in mansions, halls, art galleries or in open spaces if the weather is good. Part of the appeal of the ‘underground’ pop up or supper club is the sense of mystery, so go with the flow.

But… it won’t make you rich and it’s actually really hard work
All our hosts agree that organising a supper club is a lot of hard work. Genevieve explains: “It was a huge amount of work and very tiring…but very rewarding.” James adds: “This isn't something to be undertaken lightly.

It's hard work and it won't make you rich. But if you love cooking, you love people, and you love the idea of cooking for strangers and playing restaurant every now and then, then running a supper club is huge fun and incredibly rewarding.”

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