Latest news with #TheLOSTTable
Mint
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Supper clubs: These Indians are earning up to ₹6 lakh a month hosting intimate dinners at home
Imagine turning your dining table into a money-making machine, serving food to strangers, sharing stories, and walking away with lakhs every month. That's exactly what a growing number of Indians are doing, thanks to the supper club trend that's heating up cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurgaon. No big kitchens. No expensive leases. Just good food, warm vibes, and a killer Instagram game. Supper clubs are intimate dining experiences hosted in private homes, where 6–14 strangers gather to eat, talk, and connect over curated menus. Think of it as dinner party meets pop-up restaurant—with a personal touch that restaurants can't match. And yes, people are paying a premium for it. Take Bengaluru couple Aditya Ramakrishnan and Dongli Zhang. From the comfort of their cosy home, they serve up a 7-course Sichuan meal under the name Ma La Kitchen Supper Club. The best part? Their supper club reportedly earns them up to ₹ 6 lakh a month: no restaurant, no investors, just passion and a great palate. In Gurgaon, Archit Agarwal and Natasha Ratti Kapoor turned a simple Instagram idea into The LOST Table, one of the fastest-selling supper clubs around. Born in Hollywood during the 1930s, supper clubs were once hubs for music, food, and conversation. Now, they're back; except instead of smoky lounges, you're entering a stranger's apartment for dinner, you'll talk about for weeks. Post-pandemic, people aren't just craving food—they're craving connection. And supper clubs are delivering both. No two menus are alike- You might get Kashmiri rogan josh one week and Korean BBQ tacos the next. It's not just food, it's theatre- Hosts often share the stories behind the dishes, their culture, or even the playlist. Secret locations, limited seats- Bookings usually happen via Instagram or WhatsApp. Hosts aren't always chefs: Most are passionate home cooks turning side hustles into full-time gigs. What makes supper clubs special is the vibe. You show up not knowing anyone. By the end of the night, you're swapping numbers, sharing dessert, and joining a WhatsApp group that lives on long after the food is gone.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
India's Supper Club Trend: How People Are Earning Lakhs Hosting Intimate And Exclusive Dinners
A new culinary wave is simmering in India, particularly in cities like Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Mumbai, and Delhi, through the rise of supper clubs -- intimate, home-based dining experiences hosted by passionate individuals. These gatherings, often blending gourmet food with storytelling and cultural exchange, are redefining how people connect over meals. Unlike traditional restaurants, supper clubs offer curated, exclusive settings where strangers bond over unique menus, regional flavours, and personal narratives, creating a sense of community. Aditya Ramakrishnan and Dongli Zhang are at the forefront of this trend, hosting Ma La Kitchen Supper Club, a uniquely unconventional dining experience in Bengaluru, right from the warmth of their own home. At their cosy home, guests are treated to a seven-course Sichuan feast in beautifully plated dishes, along with tales of Chinese mythology straight from the chef's lips. The couple opted for the supper club model after realising the high costs and complexities of launching a full-fledged restaurant. By hosting in their own home, they gained creative freedom to craft a unique dining experience on their terms. This venture has proven lucrative, with their supper club reportedly earning up to Rs 6 lakh per month. Another example is Archit Agarwal and Natasha Ratti Kapoor, a Gurgaon-based couple, who capitalised on the desire for connection with The LOST Table. What started as an Instagram initiative to engage their followers quickly evolved into a sought-after supper club, with events selling out in minutes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mukul Khurana (@mk__pov) What are Supper Clubs? Supper clubs have a rich history, dating back to the 1930s in Hollywood, where they thrived as vibrant hubs for food, music, and socialising after Prohibition. After fading into obscurity, the concept has experienced a resurgence in the post-pandemic era. Today, people crave meaningful connections, and sharing a meal in a stranger's home has become an appealing way to forge new bonds and create lasting memories. Diners are seeking fresh, immersive experiences that go beyond just food. Key elements of the trend: Intimate and Exclusive: Supper clubs typically host small groups (6–14 guests) in private homes or curated spaces, fostering personal connections. Diverse Culinary Offerings: Menus range from regional Indian cuisines to global flavours like Sichuan at House of Mala in Mumbai or Korean at Zahvi. Hosts often experiment with fusion, such as Indian-Lebanese or Mexican-Jaipur. Cultural and Social Focus: Beyond food, supper clubs emphasise storytelling and cultural immersion. Post-Pandemic Appeal: The trend gained momentum post-COVID as diners sought meaningful, in-person connections. Clubs like The LOST Table in Gurgaon, which sold out in five minutes, highlight the demand for unique, non-restaurant experiences. Experimental: Many hosts are not professional chefs but passionate home cooks, using supper clubs to showcase culinary skills without the overhead of a restaurant. Bookings are often made via Instagram or WhatsApp, with events promoted through social media. The exclusivity, amplified by limited seats and secret locations, adds to the allure. Why It's Gaining Traction: Authenticity and Storytelling: Diners value the personal touch, such as learning the history behind recipes or meeting diverse guests. Affordability for Hosts: Supper clubs allow culinary enthusiasts to share their passion without the financial burden of a restaurant Community Building: They cater to a desire for real-life connections in a digital age, often resulting in lasting friendships or WhatsApp groups post-event. Niche Appeal: While not mainstream due to India's price-sensitive market, supper clubs fill a gap for intimate, experiential dining, often doubling as private catering for events like birthdays.
Mint
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Supper clubs: These Indians are earning up to ₹6 lakh a month hosting intimate dinners at home
Imagine turning your dining table into a money-making machine, serving food to strangers, sharing stories, and walking away with lakhs every month. That's exactly what a growing number of Indians are doing, thanks to the supper club trend that's heating up cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurgaon. No big kitchens. No expensive leases. Just good food, warm vibes, and a killer Instagram game. Supper clubs are intimate dining experiences hosted in private homes, where 6–14 strangers gather to eat, talk, and connect over curated menus. Think of it as dinner party meets pop-up restaurant—with a personal touch that restaurants can't match. And yes, people are paying a premium for it. Take Bengaluru couple Aditya Ramakrishnan and Dongli Zhang. From the comfort of their cosy home, they serve up a 7-course Sichuan meal under the name Ma La Kitchen Supper Club. The best part? Their supper club reportedly earns them up to ₹ 6 lakh a month: no restaurant, no investors, just passion and a great palate. In Gurgaon, Archit Agarwal and Natasha Ratti Kapoor turned a simple Instagram idea into The LOST Table, one of the fastest-selling supper clubs around. Born in Hollywood during the 1930s, supper clubs were once hubs for music, food, and conversation. Now, they're back; except instead of smoky lounges, you're entering a stranger's apartment for dinner, you'll talk about for weeks. Post-pandemic, people aren't just craving food—they're craving connection. And supper clubs are delivering both. No two menus are alike- You might get Kashmiri rogan josh one week and Korean BBQ tacos the next. It's not just food, it's theatre- Hosts often share the stories behind the dishes, their culture, or even the playlist. Secret locations, limited seats- Bookings usually happen via Instagram or WhatsApp. Hosts aren't always chefs: Most are passionate home cooks turning side hustles into full-time gigs. What makes supper clubs special is the vibe. You show up not knowing anyone. By the end of the night, you're swapping numbers, sharing dessert, and joining a WhatsApp group that lives on long after the food is gone. And for the hosts, it's more than income—it's freedom. No staff. No rent. Just control over what they cook, how they serve, and who they invite in.
