Would you pay to dine in the house of a complete stranger? In a new food trend that’s being viewed as an offshoot of social media, home chefs are throwing open their kitchens to people they have never met before.
Global websites such as Bookalokal, Meal tango and Bon Appetour are connecting food buffs looking for home-cooked meals with hosts who are passionate about cooking.
The process of finding the perfect host is simple: log on to the site, search your favourite cuisine, choose a budget and location, and send a request to the host to fix your table.
One such Delhi-based host, Kirit Vijaykumar Parekh, 30, a businessman who serves traditional South Indian fare, says, “My wife and I decided to offer home dining experience because we knew our food was authentic, made using rare family recipes. It’s a great way for people to learn about food cultures.”
Another host, also from Delhi, 62-year-old importer Sunil Lall who serves Bengali cuisine to his guests, says, “My guests give my food glowing reviews. It’s turning out to be a great way to socialise. The profits are secondary.”
Foodies in the city are loving the idea. “It’s exciting to meet a new family. You get to eat a delicious meal and expand your friend circle,” says Naina Kaur, 25, a teacher who recently dined with a Marathi family living in the Capital.
{{/usCountry}}Foodies in the city are loving the idea. “It’s exciting to meet a new family. You get to eat a delicious meal and expand your friend circle,” says Naina Kaur, 25, a teacher who recently dined with a Marathi family living in the Capital.
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