Kinfolk concept
'Eat at home away from home' or 'Go out for dinner at private homes'. Two possible headlines for a trend that generates some questions: is it the result of the economic and social situation? (all poor as rats) . Is it a gastro-trend that you already saw coming? Is it the next logical step after the exhaustion of a model (the one with snobbery and the bow tie) that was no longer enough? Do hipsters rule the world?
Let's remember, in May 2010 Noma took over from elBulli as the best restaurant in the world and started a new (necessary, if you ask me) gastronomic stage: “everyday cuisine that inspires you to eat local products . It's about tradition and eating garden produce in a new context," says Trina Hahnemann, author of The Scandinavian Cookbook. Wood, nudity, warmth and a more human service in the room (slippers! smiles!) replace the pomp and cutlery of Villeroy & Bosch.
Small, more familiar and more humane establishments whose client is -perhaps- more the editor than the minister; in a world in which the John Lobbs of the brick entrepreneur have given way to the Victory. bets like doll by Javier Muñoz-Calero (and his spin off of Tartan on the roof of the Círculo de Bellas Artes) or The good life by Carlos Torres and Elisa Rodriguez. What Mount Bar of Ivan Castro or The Ginger Loft from Mike and Santi. Pay attention to his statement of intent: “looking for the usual? why not try the unusual!” (Looking for the usual? Why not try the unusual?). Come on, let's go with the unusual.
"The kitchen exists when things have the taste of what they are", Curnonsky. After a model change there is always a certainty. That of this metamorphosis is called authenticity . Customers -us- want adventure -yes- but above all we want to recover clear flavors and simple cuisine. Comfort food, that is: revaluation of homemade gastronomy, of traditional flavors, of simple cuisine. Look around you: minimalist clothes, Flat Design, white computers, austere decoration and product cuisine. Today more than ever less is more. And what is more authentic than eating at someone's house?
In this stage initiatives arise that transfer comfort food to its maximum expression (Kinfolk dinners are a benchmark) a new, different (risky?) and exciting business model: private dinners “at home of” , many times clandestine ; closed groups of strangers whose common bond is the love of food. Projects like Umami Madrid by Iñigo Aguirre, which is presented like this: “Shhh… another secret dinner! Where? in central Madrid – I will send you an address with confirmation. How many? a donation of 65 euros will be gladly accepted. How many will we be in total? 6 persons". Fancy it, right?
Gastro-adventures like the one proposed by Secret Food, “The underground dining club”, the proposal -again- is dressed in mystery: “A dinner, six unknown people, by invitation only, a place you don't know, good drink and very good food". And here comes a confession: I enjoyed one of his dinners in a nice penthouse in the south of Madrid -I can't say more- at some point in that distant July 2012 and it was an unforgettable night. I even ate -more than- well.
**SOCIAL NETWORKS OF EATING AND DRINKING (AT HOME) **
It was the next logical step. If Pinterest goes to the flag of cute cupcakes and recipes, if projects like Air Bnb (your house is my house) or Couchsurfing work, the new thing was just around the corner: Dine in homes around the world. It is the declaration of intentions of Eat With, "Meet amazing people, eat great food and enjoy unforgettable experiences", they say. But does it work? Yes, it works. I speak with Miguel, a friend who offers fresh pasta, organic vegetables and Italian wines -good wines- at his house in Barcelona . It basically works with foreigners, but it works.
Advantage? Many. very many. Somehow It is a fantastic way to explore new gastronomic universes , to get to know the true flavor of a foreign country through its cuisine; far -of course- from the market concessions that a restaurant has. 'Social gastronomy', Cook Flat's beautiful concept, traveling around the world around a wooden table and good cuisine. Adventures like those of Mitanit, four friends who say without fear: we are going to have fun. Both in your city (it's also a curious way to meet interesting people) and on your travels (is there a better way to get to know Danish cuisine than in a Dane's private home?). As many possibilities as people with a desire for adventure. I'm in.
The revolution of authenticity.