Want to start a supper club? Here's what to bring to the table
Only, it's not so secret now. Supper clubs have been popping up in every big city. But before you quit your job and add chef to your bio, see what works and what doesn't, and how clubs in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi have cracked the code.
Build the hype. Before setting up, pre-empt the response, says Anurag Arora, founder of the two-year-old Bengaluru supper club, Apartment. Arora had been hosting food pop-ups and dining experiences for years before he started. He had an audience ready. His posts were about recipe experiments, food travels and cooking hacks, through his day job as a designer. He was viewed as an in-the-know culinary expert. 'People need to believe that you have an eye for food and a sense of what makes a good meal.'
Do a trial run. Gather friends and family and make them your critics. It's what husband-wife duo Manish Malhotra and Capthi Ly did before they opened up the Mumbai-based Vietnamese supper club, The Studio, last year. 'You get your first honest feedback from them,' says Malhotra. 'And you realise whether you're cut out for hosting.' In their trial sessions, they learnt that the public had a set idea of what Vietnamese food was. Some meat and fish preparations would put people off.
A great way to build hype is by teasing the menu and pictures of a few standout dishes. (SHUTTERSTOCK)
Get professional. The food has to be good, of course. But Arora finds that paying attention to the table linen, the flatware, even the way the kitchen is run is what makes diner feel they're part of an elevated experience. 'We run a very silent kitchen; we treat our guests like diners in an upscale restaurant who have no idea what's happening behind-the-scenes.' Apartment's dinners are set up to deliver a New York bistro feel. There is jazz music, two- and four-seater tables, and black-clad servers (usually Arora's family and friends, or aspiring culinary students). 'The dish has to be plated the same way every time, and has to taste the same no matter how many times diners come back and try it.'
Leave them wanting. Most supper clubs find that repeat bookings are easy, but convincing new diners to sign up is tough. Archit Agarwal, who runs The Lost Table in Delhi with his wife Natasha Ratti Kapoor, posts menu teasers on his socials. They do theme-based menus — featuring citrus menu, dill, Latin-American food. So, the experience feels fresh even for a returning diner.
Arora from Apartment, on the other hand, keeps the menu under wraps until it's time to sit down to dine. The suspense works. 'People eat out so frequently today, and yet, there are one or two food experiences that they remember distinctly afterwards. We strive to achieve that.'
Scale up slowly. The pricing must work both for you and the customer. The Lost Table's four-course menu was initially priced at ₹4,500, but Agarwal brought it down to ₹3,250 for a vegetarian option and ₹3,500 for meat and fish. Don't expect it to be profitable right away. 'There will be days when you're at full capacity, and days when there will be unbooked seats. It's like throwing darts at a board, blindfolded, and hoping one lands.'
Do it full-time (one dinner a week) and it's possible to stay afloat, for the moment. 'If you have your own space, that's 30% of expenses saved right there,' says Arora. Be open to hosting sessions in partnership with restaurants and private dining experiences for birthdays and anniversaries. 'That way, you're not just restricting yourself to one format.'
From HT Brunch, Aug 16, 2025
Follow us on www.instagram.com/htbrunch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Arjun Tendulkar gets engaged to Saaniya Chandok - Pictures, net worth and everything you need to know
Arjun Tendulkar, Sara Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok (Insta) Arjun Tendulkar, the 25-year-old son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar , has reportedly become engaged to Saaniya Chandok in an intimate ceremony attended by close friends and family. The engagement marks a special moment for both families and has drawn warm attention from fans across social media. Saaniya Chandok comes from one of Mumbai's most prominent business families. She is the granddaughter of industrialist Ravi Ghai, whose Graviss Group owns popular ice cream brands like The Brooklyn Creamery and operates Baskin Robbins in India. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The family also manages the InterContinental hotel in Mumbai and other ventures in the hospitality and food sector. Graviss Food Solutions Private Limited, the parent company, reported revenue of ₹624 crore for the financial year 2023-24, showing a 20 percent growth over the previous year. Saaniya herself serves as Designated Partner and Director at Mr. Paws Pet Spa & Store LLP, a Mumbai-based venture she has been involved with since 2022. Despite her high-profile family background, she has maintained a low public profile, quietly supporting family businesses while preparing for her life with Arjun . Saaniya Chandok, Arjun Tendulkar and Sara Tendulkar. (X) Arjun Tendulkar has been making his own name in cricket, following in his father's footsteps while carving a unique path. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo A left-arm fast bowling all-rounder, he began his professional career with Mumbai in the 2020-21 season, making his T20 debut against Haryana. He later moved to Goa in the 2022-23 season, where he made his First-Class and List A debuts. In red-ball cricket, he has played 17 matches, scored 532 runs including one century and two fifties, and taken 37 wickets with one five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls. In List A cricket, he has played 17 matches, scoring 76 runs. Arjun has also represented Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, featuring in five matches. Recent pictures shared on Instagram offer a rare glimpse into the Tendulkar household. They show Sachin Tendulkar performing a pooja at home, accompanied by his wife Anjali, daughter Sara, and Saaniya Chandok, who stands to Sara's right wearing a green kurti. Sara Tendulkar with her future sister-in-law Saaniya Chandok (on Sara's right, wearing a green kurti) and other friends and family. Sara Tendulkar has also shared several photos with Saaniya on her Instagram, suggesting that the two may be close friends. The images capture a quiet, personal family moment while highlighting the growing bond between the Tendulkar and Ghai families ahead of the wedding. Sara Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok (Sara-Insta) Sara Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok (Sara-Insta) Sara Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok (Sara-Insta) Sara Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok (Sara-Insta) The engagement is a celebration of cricketing legacy meeting business prominence, and it reflects the private nature of both families. Fans have extended heartfelt congratulations to the couple as Arjun continues to pursue his cricketing career and Saaniya balances her responsibilities in the family business. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Sholay celebrates 50 yrs with merchandise, vinyls and a fiery climax
MUMBAI: Sholay, the 1975 blockbuster, has sustained its cult status in the history of cinema as it exists in actual and inherited memory of generations of movie-goers – its characters and their many witticisms inspiring purveyors of pop culture. And now, in its 50th year, plans are on to take the Sholay brand forward. A still From Movie Sholay Cast Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra - HT Photo. In the course of the year, Sholay-inspired merchandise will hit the market, as will a new vinyl record with the film's songs (including one that was not in the film originally released) and dialogues, a freshly-restored film with its original climax, which no one has seen yet in India; and a film, titled 'The Making of Sholay', which will be released on an OTT platform. Sippy Films Pvt Ltd, the producers of the film, has collaborated with a Noida-based toys and games company Snooplay to create consumer products and collectibles based on Sholay's characters. 'It is another way to keep the film's legacy alive,' said Shehzad Sippy, majority stakeholder of Sippy Films. Aanchal Mahajan, co-founder of Snooplay, said the merchandise will help the company tap into 'the fast-growing kidult collectibles market, where adults are embracing play, nostalgia, and pop culture memorabilia like never before'. Mahajan said, for the Sholay line, the company is creating 'a range of high-quality figurines featuring popular characters and recreating iconic scenes from the film'. Alongside, there will be a limited edition collectors' boxes, which will include a curated mix of collectibles, memorabilia and themed utility products, she said. 'Our aim is to make these products as display-worthy as they are conversation-worthy, celebrating the film's legacy in a way that resonates with today's generation of collectors.' In the latter part of the year, Sholay buffs will watch a newly restored film, extended by six minutes to its length, with its original ending – where Thakur Baldev Singh, the retired cop and de facto lord of the fictitious village of Ramgarh, crushes Gabbar Singh with his spiked boots -- reinstated. At the time of the film's release, the country was in a state of emergency for 21 months between 1975 and 77, declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The film was blocked by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as the climax was deemed violent and a retired cop taking law into his own hands was unacceptable. It was re-shot, showing Thakur subduing Gabbar, stopping short of extracting his revenge, with cops showing up at the location. The newly minted film was shown on an open air screen a couple of months ago as a part of the Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival, in Bologna, Italy. 'Sholay will now travel to the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September, followed by screenings in New York and London,' said Sippy. 'It will be released in India subsequently.' In 2022 Shehzad Sippy had initiated discussions with the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) regarding the film's restoration. Archivist and restorer, and director FHF, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, said: 'He indicated that the film's elements were housed in a Mumbai warehouse. Upon examining the contents of the film cans, which lacked labels, it came to light that they contained the original 35mm camera and sound negatives of the film.' Sippy informed Dungarpur about additional film elements stored at Iron Mountain (warehouse) in the UK, 'in sacks'. Assisted by the British Film Institute, FHF was granted access to these materials, following which the reels from both London and Mumbai were transported to L'Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna 'to commence the intricate restoration process'. It was a complex endeavour, said Dungarpur, spanning nearly three years. The making of Sholay itself was not without significant highs and lows, said Ramesh Sippy, the film's director, and founder and director of Ramesh Sippy Entertainment. The company is in the midst of making a film titled 'The Making of Sholay'. 'It is to commemorate not just a cinematic masterpiece, but also spotlight all the struggles that went into its making,' said Sippy. Slated to release 'between October and November, we have completed many interviews of most actors who starred in the film, and the script is almost done', he added. Will there be any celebration in the industry to mark the film's landmark year over the weekend? 'There will be many in months to come,' said Sippy. For now, the filmmaker is looking forward to participating in an event on Friday, where the Maharashtra Postal Circle will release a presentation pack and two picture postcards to mark the film's landmark year. Later in the year, Universal Music India will release the original LP of the movie's music and dialogues, said Shehzad Sippy. A spokesperson for the company said, 'The vinyl record is intended for all Sholay fans; the film's popularity is widespread and not just for people of a particular age group. It will also include a song that was recorded but remained unused in the film.' He chose not to divulge details of the composition, holding it back 'as a surprise for fans'. The song is not available on audio streaming platforms either, he added.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘They've broken up with you': Comedian John Oliver roasts Schumer for naming fake couple 265 times
Comedian John Oliver mocked US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's frequent invoking of a fictional couple, saying that his 'imaginary friends' have 'already broken up' with him. Chuck Schumer, who describes the fictional couple as Reagan-era Republicans, has also weaved intricate details of their personal lives.(REUTERS) Schumer, on various occasions throughout his political career, has mentioned a fictional Long Island couple named Joe and Eileen Bailey who are meant to represent the average American voters. The Democrat, who describes the couple as Reagan-era Republicans, has also weaved intricate details of their personal lives, like their love for Kung Pao chicken, Joe's habit of singing the national anthem at the Islanders games and more. 'The Baileys have guided Chuck Schumer's political life — which is a little weird given they don't exist," Oliver said during his monologue on Last Week Tonight. He further showed clips of Schumer's 'unnecessarily detiled' constant mentions of the couple. 'I have conversations with them… one of my staffers once said I had imaginary friends to the press, got me in some trouble,' Schumer said in one of the clips shown by Oliver. The characters were first introduced in a book authored by Schumer titled 'Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time'. During his monologue, Oliver said that the Baileys, who Schumer sees as middle-class voters, have been mentioned by the New York lawmaker 265 times in the book, which has 264 pages. Speaking about the details provided by Schumer about the couple over the years, from their salaries to their economic and political beliefs, Oliver said that the Senator had provided a 'J.R.R. Tolkien-level of gratuitous backstory'. Oliver also spoke about how the Baileys had influenced Schumer's positions on several issues, including the 2008 financial crisis and cybersecurity. However, the comedian goes on to highlight that despite Schumer's focus on the couple, the Baileys seem to have deserted him, while highlighting that the Senator himself admitted that the couple had voted for US President Donald Trump in five of the last six presidential ballots cast between them. 'Politically, it seems they've already broken up with you,' Oliver said.
