Topic: Feeling Inspired - Help Me Think This through

[Stephen Lindsay]

I've just been watching a recording of a new TV programme called The Little Paris Kitchen. An English girl (Rachel Khoo) runs a French restaurant from her flat, i.e. she cooks in her tiny little kitchen and serves customers in her lounge which is also tiny.

So this got me thinking - what about if I did a similar thing to Rachel Khoo by serving a small number of locals my own curries in my front room? My domestic circumstances are somewhat similar - I live on my own in a small cottage and could probably accommodate a max. of 6-8 people in one sitting. However it could satisfy my lust for sharing my passion for curries without being out of pocket or perhaps even making a modest profit. I'm thinking a Friday or Saturday or both would be more than enough and in order to "work round" licensing/retail laws etc. I would ask diners simply to make a donation for the food they have eaten so that it would be built on a relationship of trust rather than being based on a menu which has set prices.

Any thoughts?

I'd be interested in the thoughts of forum members in terms of things I should think about and/or pros and cons. Is this a good idea or is it wishful thinking?

[loveitspicy]

Great - i like it

What would happen if the customer made a donation and you wasnt happy with the amount???
Also do you retain any privacy in your own house or do customers keep turning up at all hours?
What time would you open and close?
Do you hide away all your expensive belongings?

There are many questions before having folks sat in the house whilst you are cooking away - an open plan kitchen would be good then you could watch them watching you - if you know what i mean

best of luck with this project - i love it when there is an interesting project to follow

best, Rich

[Salvador Dhali]

I've just been watching a recording of a new TV programme called The Little Paris Kitchen. An English girl (Rachel Khoo) runs a French restaurant from her flat, i.e. she cooks in her tiny little kitchen and serves customers in her lounge which is also tiny.

So this got me thinking - what about if I did a similar thing to Rachel Khoo by serving a small number of locals my own curries in my front room? My domestic circumstances are somewhat similar - I live on my own in a small cottage and could probably accommodate a max. of 6-8 people in one sitting. However it could satisfy my lust for sharing my passion for curries without being out of pocket or perhaps even making a modest profit. I'm thinking a Friday or Saturday or both would be more than enough and in order to "work round" licensing/retail laws etc. I would ask diners simply to make a donation for the food they have eaten so that it would be built on a relationship of trust rather than being based on a menu which has set prices.

Any thoughts?

I'd be interested in the thoughts of forum members in terms of things I should think about and/or pros and cons. Is this a good idea or is it wishful thinking?

Great minds must think alike, Stephen, as I had exactly the same thought. Limited menu agreed with the diners beforehand, get set up, bosh it out, await adulating comments and gushing praise, pocket a fistful of cash, laugh on route to bank.

Then I woke up...  ;D

Seriously though, if you're up for the graft and a bit of stress on the night and confident that your food is good enough then there's no reason why it wouldn't work. 'Pop-up restaurants have been in vogue of late, and seem to do really well.

The other thing I thought about was a mobile service, whereby you cook in other people;s homes. That would present its own unique challenges, but still...

[solarsplace]

Hi Stephen

Great idea indeed!

How many sittings would you plan to do in one evening? probably best to start modestly and see how it goes with perhaps one?

A factor that would concern me if I were in your position is dealing with a possible unwanted guest, drunk or anti-social bad apple etc. Just something you might want to make a kind of contingency plan about how you would deal with the situation.

Also make sure you have liability insurance up to the eye balls in case one of the diners decides to have an issue with something.

Its a sound idea and who knows where it could take you!

Cheers

[PaulP]

I remember reading about people doing this kind of thing in London some time ago.

Here is a link to what is called "supper clubs":

http://vegetarianliving.co.uk/interviews.php?do=view&article=66

Cheers,

Paul

[Stephen Lindsay]

Thanks for your responses! Re your questions here are my thoughts:

from Rich

What would happen if the customer made a donation and you wasnt happy with the amount???
That's the risk and I would have to take it on the chin

Also do you retain any privacy in your own house or do customers keep turning up at all hours?
I think it would be by mutual arrangement and agreed in advance

Do you hide away all your expensive belongings?
The cottage is so small that would be difficult. But that's a good point which I hadn't thought about.

There are many questions before having folks sat in the house whilst you are cooking away - an open plan kitchen would be good then you could watch them watching you - if you know what i mean
The kitchen is directly off the loung and therefore diners would see, hear and smell everything - if you know what I mean lol

from Salvador D

Limited menu agreed with the diners beforehand, get set up, bosh it out, await adulating comments and gushing praise, pocket a fistful of cash, laugh on route to bank.
Sounds like me!

The other thing I thought about was a mobile service, whereby you cook in other people;s homes. That would present its own unique challenges, but still...
I did this a few years ago, as a one off raffle prize for 6 people and it went well.

from solarspace

How many sittings would you plan to do in one evening? probably best to start modestly and see how it goes with perhaps one?
Yes I wasn't thinking about doing more than one sitting for a max of 4 people - taking it slowly to see how it works.

A factor that would concern me if I were in your position is dealing with a possible unwanted guest, drunk or anti-social bad apple etc. Just something you might want to make a kind of contingency plan about how you would deal with the situation.
I was thinking that if it was by word of mouth then there should be an element of gatekeeping but that's a good idea.

Also make sure you have liability insurance up to the eye balls in case one of the diners decides to have an issue with something.

Excellent idea!

from PaulP

Here is a link to what is called "supper clubs":

http://vegetarianliving.co.uk/interviews.php?do=view&article=66
Thanks Paul!

[JerryM]

Stephen,

sounds potty to me. whilst i do love people and appreciate that helping each other is what makes us.

have you seen how much grief BIR's get.

the yorkshire proverb sticks large for me: nowt as queer as folk.

the principle is spot on - perhaps through some form of charity to remove yourself and the "guests" from your own abode.

[ifindforu]

I've just been watching a recording of a new TV programme called The Little Paris Kitchen. An English girl (Rachel Khoo) runs a French restaurant from her flat, i.e. she cooks in her tiny little kitchen and serves customers in her lounge which is also tiny.

So this got me thinking - what about if I did a similar thing to Rachel Khoo by serving a small number of locals my own curries in my front room? My domestic circumstances are somewhat similar - I live on my own in a small cottage and could probably accommodate a max. of 6-8 people in one sitting. However it could satisfy my lust for sharing my passion for curries without being out of pocket or perhaps even making a modest profit. I'm thinking a Friday or Saturday or both would be more than enough and in order to "work round" licensing/retail laws etc. I would ask diners simply to make a donation for the food they have eaten so that it would be built on a relationship of trust rather than being based on a menu which has set prices.

Any thoughts?

I'd be interested in the thoughts of forum members in terms of things I should think about and/or pros and cons. Is this a good idea or is it wishful thinking?

Great minds must think alike, Stephen, as I had exactly the same thought. Limited menu agreed with the diners beforehand, get set up, bosh it out, await adulating comments and gushing praise, pocket a fistful of cash, laugh on route to bank.

Then I woke up...  ;D

Seriously though, if you're up for the graft and a bit of stress on the night and confident that your food is good enough then there's no reason why it wouldn't work. 'Pop-up restaurants have been in vogue of late, and seem to do really well.

The other thing I thought about was a mobile service, whereby you cook in other people;s homes. That would present its own unique challenges, but still...

Good idea and if you can cook like an indian chef why not give lessons like I do

[ifindforu]

Stephen,

sounds potty to me. whilst i do love people and appreciate that helping each other is what makes us.

have you seen how much grief BIR's get.

the yorkshire proverb sticks large for me: nowt as queer as folk.

the principle is spot on - perhaps through some form of charity to remove yourself and the "guests" from your own abode.

Well said Jerry