Supper Clubs: How Eating Together Brings People Closer

My earliest memories of food include hazy flashes of birthday parties where a homemade feast was shared with friends and family. Every anniversary, birthday and celebration would involve copious amounts of food being prepared from scratch at home seasoned with laughter.

When I started living on my own in college, the one thing that always pricked was that I usually had to eat alone, in haste, which eventually became a habit. It takes me up to the first shared meal to really open up with my companions when I'm travelling with a group now. I used to be conscious about eating in front of strangers, but I've learned that when you are able to eat with someone, real camaraderie has a chance to develop.

"I went on a solo trip to Spain last year," said Rini Chatterjee, a communications professional based in Delhi. "I'm a big foodie, so I want to eat everything, but when you're travelling solo, it becomes a pain."

Chatterjee recalled looking at the menu at Ganbara in San Sebastian and fretting over not being able to order too much. "Then I saw a gentleman sitting by himself, and I went up to him and asked him if he wanted to share a meal since I really wanted to try more than I could finish just by myself." The man, who was from Brooklyn, obliged. They both ordered three dishes each and ended up having a great meal and an even better conversation.

Growing up in Asian households, we all know that "acts of service" are the common love language, with food and cooking for each other taking precedence over verbal declarations.

Those of us who grew up in the 90s and earlier are generally fonder of sitting at a full dining table than the newer generation who often only know nuclear family settings and eating alone with the television on. Even now, when I visit my family, mealtimes are sacred, and I have to be completely present and participate in social bonding, forgoing my phone and anything connecting me to the world outside of our dining space conversations.

The pandemic somewhat disrupted our mutual proclivity for communal dining, but once the air cleared, a curious little concept gained momentum: Supper Clubs.

Suppers With Strangers

Research says that eating with people increases social bonding and feelings of well-being among individuals and makes them feel a sense of belonging to the community. With the birth of private dining and supper clubs, connecting over a well-curated menu becomes attainable, and suddenly, in the day and age of social apps, an organic meeting with new people seems like a possibility.

"We've witnessed strangers from all walks of life becoming friends at our dinners. Initially, we thought it would mostly attract couples, but we've been delighted to see a wide variety of guests: singles looking for new experiences, in-laws, families with children, even a recent widow," said Natasha Ratti Kapoor, co-host of The LOST Table, a Gurugram-based supper club which she started with her husband, food blogger and content creator Archit Agarwal.

"The idea came from Natasha, inspired by Bangalore's Naru Noodle Bar, which showed us that a customer base exists for unique food experiences outside the typical restaurant setting," said Agarwal.

For them, inspiration hit at one such intimate gathering of strangers in South Goa, with about 30 to 35 guests sharing authentic Goan food and eccentric, personal stories.

"I remember sitting next to someone's grandparents, who shared stories of their travels, while on the other side, a newly married couple told us about their honeymoon adventures. It felt like a celebration of life in its purest form," said Agarwal. You can book a place at one of their dinner parties by following the Instagram handle @architlost.

Literature, Food And Lots Of Conversation

Breaking bread together somewhat punctures the bubble of social tension that can stretch over conversations with practical strangers. My go-to conversation starters at work dinners and lunches are always about the food we're having.

This often opens up the annals of memories in people where they start revealing where they are from, their upbringing and even their favourite movies and books.

Food writer and anthropologist Shirin Mehrotra hosts dinners inspired by literature. When we think about food in literature, specific examples come to mind. Tureens of porridge, Famous Five, Butterbeer and treacle tart, the Harry Potter series, and so forth.

"At the Literary Table pop-ups, guests can expect lots of good food, conversations, ice-breakers, entertainment, and performances. It depends on the piece of literature I pick and how I make it more interactive and entertaining for everyone," Mehrotra said. So far, she has curated dinners inspired by the Harry Potter series, the works of Haruki Murakami, A Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones), and the works of Mirza Ghalib.

"The last one Nausha Farmaiye, which is inspired by the life and works of Mirza Ghalib, is close to my heart. The pop-up was a way to celebrate his poetry and his love for food, particularly mangoes. So we had a mango-inspired menu, and since it was a performance-based dinner, I coupled it with a musical rendition of his Ghazals and storytelling," said Mehrotra. To keep up to date on future such gatherings by Mehrotra, you can follow the Instagram handle @theliterarytable.

Today, when artificiality surrounds us, and most of our interactions take place behind a glowing screen, our need to look for real people to share our interests and a meal with is fast reaching a crescendo. These initiatives and our own adventures in travel and food let us meet so many people in this world that we might otherwise miss out on.

"Sharing a meal with people is such an intimate and sincere social experience. It's incredible how this space allows us to interact with guests in a thematic way. We're considering hosting a singles' mixer, inviting people into our home to connect and possibly meet a partner. It's a unique way to enhance social experiences," said Kapoor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the concept of a supper club?

Supper clubs are a social dining establishment where people come together for good food and a good time. Supper clubs, when used in the newer context of underground restaurants, are also known as home bistros, guerrilla diners, secret restaurants, speakeasies, and anti-restaurants.

What are the rules for the supper club?

Most supper clubs have no rules! However, this may differ from one supper club to another.

Are there are any supper clubs in India?

Supper clubs in India are rising in India. Some of the popular are The LOST Table, run by Gurugram-based couple Archit Agarwal and Natasha Ratti Kapoor; Má Là Kitchen Supper Club in Bengaluru; and Raviolis in Mumbai.