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The Culinary Revolution of Underground Supper Clubs

Discussion in 'Professional Chefs' started by caterchef, Nov 16, 2009.

  1. Nov 16, 2009 #1
    caterchef

    caterchef Banned

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    :rolleyes:I would like the opinion of this forum on private Supper Clubs.
    It has been an idea for some years now to have a members only
    Supper Club to have a little privacy when you dine out.
    The same as a Country Club members have.
    The reasons are many but, #1 is when a member has a cold or flu bug
    they stay away from the Club so, they don't pass it on to other members or Club staff.
    Although I have been a caterer all of my career, when times were lean
    I chose to work banquets at Country Clubs for that and several other reasons
    like having all the whole cream, butter and olive oil I needed.
    I have talked to several people about it and someone opened one a short time before the NO SMOKING BAN went into effect here but, is now closed for members
    didn't want to go out into the heat every 15 min. during the evening of dinning and dancing.
    I think the personal chefs and small caterers are enjoying the business.
    I have noticed a difference although the Media will never report it.:thumb:

    This is an article I came across:
    The Culinary Revolution of Underground Supper Clubs - Food & Drink - FOXNews.com
     
  3. Nov 16, 2009 #2
    pembroke

    pembroke

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    Country clubs work because they combine sport with leisure; do supper clubs have any added value other than exclusivity? I've never been to a supper club and wouldn't like the idea of paying a membership fee to dine in the same room on a regular basis with the same style of menu. I prefer to eat in a variety of different places depending on my mood, budget, who I'm dinning with etc.
     
  4. Nov 16, 2009 #3
    ed buchanan

    ed buchanan

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    This has been going on for the last few years. It is also done by a culinarian inviteing guest(some known , some strangers) to his or her homes for a gourmet dinner at about 35 to $40.00 pp. It seems to work because it has caught on in particular up North.
     
  5. Nov 16, 2009 #4
    caterchef

    caterchef Banned

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    Although I have never been in a membership Supper Club.
    We did have a (reservation only) Night Club up north.
    With a locked front door(You had to have a reservation to get in)
    then they would push a button to unlock the door.
    The booths were like a private room with a sliding door
    and only the waiter could get in.
    You never knew if the club was full or empty.
    A lot of private meeting went on in those little rooms.
    Like divorce dates, boss and secretary, even Mafia.
    The Menu was always open, what ever the customer wanted.
    In that area there was parking on the street so you
    never knew who was in the Club.
    Anyone could make reservation but, they were expensive.
    They only had a service bar, and a reservation took weeks to get.
    They were about the best paying Club around.
    And you never knew who you were cooking for.
     
  6. Nov 16, 2009 #5
    ed buchanan

    ed buchanan

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    There are 2 clubs like this in Palm Beach. One is located on the roof of a PB office building,members only by the year and by the meal. It's called The City Club. The other is the most exclusive club in Palm Beach hidden behind Worth Avenue and started by Mrs. Singer of the sewing machine family. You must be invited to join . Membership about $25000.00 per year. Plus buy in equity ,plus charges for dinner. No camaras allowed, no publicity, employees must sign confidentuality agreement. More exclusive then Mara Lago and more classy. Believe it or not members are very nice, if they are nasty or unpolite to employee they could be voted out by membership. No member is worth less then a Mill. And I have the pleasure of working their part time in season.:roll: Its called The Everglades Club.:roll:
     
  7. Nov 16, 2009 #6
    leeniek

    leeniek

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    The two men who own the stuidio my husband works out of (he is a graphic designer) are members of a supper club and we have had the "pleasure" of a few Christmas parties there and frankly I was less than impressed for the most part with the food at the club. Yes the venue is completely breathtaking (old bank and when they reno'd it for the club they did keep most of the original features of the interior and exterior) the service is impeccable (always a full wine glass they hover to make sure all is well with the host of the table etc..) but the food... I found kinda boring. Maybe I just expect more when i know that more is being paid but I will say that the presentation was out of this world and that has been consistent with all of our visits and I think that it did impart to the guests (save for me and my hubby though as I work in the industry and he is married to me) that they really went all out for the meal.
    I think working at one would be an experience and most definitely one would need to produce work of the highest quality as the members expect that and then some.