What Are Supper Clubs?
They’re a cross between a low-key dinner party and a social club, and are a great way to meet people in a relaxed venue (normally someone’s home). The hosts are sociable folk who want to bring people together who wouldn’t otherwise meet. They also want to showcase their culinary and hosting skills and make some extra money!
Guests will enjoy good quality food at affordable prices, benefit from the informality of a home-from- home setting, (with none of the clearing up to do afterwards) and meet people they will hopefully soon consider as new friends.
Usually supper club invites are done by word of mouth. The best supper clubs tend to be those with less than 15 which lends itself to that exclusive feel. If you’re starting your own supper club and worry you won’t attract many guests, use social media to reach the people you’d like to attend and ask them to bring a friend.
Alternatively set up a website or ask a well-known blogger to come and review the experience to give your event exposure. You can also advertise yourself on a site such as http://supperclubfangroup.ning.com
If you’re serious about making this a profitable business, be sure you price your meal accurately. Cover all your costs, preparation time and for the duties you’ll perform on the night. However much you love cooking and hosting, you don’t want to be out of pocket. You can take a deposit off guests beforehand or they can pay at the end of the evening – it is your choice. Just make sure you make all diners aware of the cost and the manner in which you’d like to be paid.
Read my tips on getting the best out of hosting a supper club – and dining at one.
As A Host
- Cook what’s in season. If elderflower is in, make a big deal of it and infuse it into cocktails or desserts. Even better if you can forage for ingredients. Remember, the less you spend on quality ingredients, the more profit you’ll pocket.
- Balance your courses. If you’re serving a heavy main such as Beef Wellington, make sure you serve a light starter.
- Make sure the dishes look appealing. Try a beautifully arranged rocket and goats cheese salad with a subtle truffle dressing. Not only does it taste divine, but looks appetising too.
- The key is in the preparation. Make sure you prep a few days before the event so you minimise the risk of being late in serving.
- Enlist the help of others. It’s going to be difficult taking on the roles of cook, host and pot-washer all at once.
- Get creative with the table set-up. Gone are the days when you’d put out Great Aunt Bea’s expensive china. Today’s supper clubs are all about that rustic and relaxed feel, so get some fresh flowers, candles, potted herbs and put on some ambient music.
- If you’ve space and enough tables, try to make one big table so that everyone gets a chance to interact with all the others.
- Decide whether guests can bring their own alcoholic drinks or whether you’ll supply them. Obviously, if it’s the latter, make sure to add the amount you’ve spent on drinks onto the fee for guests.
As A Guest
Attending a super club is a great way to meet similar minded people in relaxed surroundings. However you will have to pay to attend so ensure you’re clear about the cost and whether you pay in advance or on the night.
- Usually, people are advised of supper clubs by word of mouth. However, if you actively want to seek one out, you can search on one of the sites that offer details of supper clubs near you.
- Avoid last minute cancellations. If you absolutely cannot attend, try to give at least 48 hours’ notice so your host can find a replacement.
- Once you’re at a supper club, it’s always appreciated by the host if you take a little token of appreciation. Flowers, wine or chocolates never go amiss.
- Get ready to socialise. If you’re a shy person by nature, coming prepared with a few simple talking points such as a humorous situation you encountered or your experience of an exotic country will help to calm your nerves when meeting people for the first time. For this reason…
- Don’t get too drunk. This is meant to be a civilised evening where like-minded people get to meet each other and taste some great food and participate in engaging conversations. Too much alcohol can mar the whole experience.
- Treat your host’s home respectfully. Don’t wander around the house unless they’ve explicitly said you can.
- Ask as much about the food as you like. What are the ingredients in the dish? How long did it take to prepare? Chances are the host is passionate about food so will enjoy imparting their knowledge.
- Give the host praise and constructive criticism where due. They’ll most likely admire your honesty and will want to learn what works and what doesn’t.
Supper clubs are a great invention! People with strong cooking and social skills can host one to meet new people and make some extra money; others who want a different type of evening out where they can meet others in a wonderfully relaxed environment should be searching online to get an invite to a supper club near them!
