Don't expect to see Bunsen burners and test tubes when
Dinner Lab hosts its first event in Denver on Sept. 26 -- although it's hard to know exactly what to expect. Part of the idea is allowing up-and-coming chefs to experiment with ideas and present them to members and guests.
Dinner Lab held its first events in New Orleans about two and a half years ago, according to Market Development Manager Ken Macias. Since then, it has held its events in 10 locations from New York City to San Francisco. Now it's bringing its pop-up dinner club to Denver and eight other locations.
The concept gives new and little-known chefs a chance to stand out. "We don't usually use the head chef, but a sous chef or a line cook," Macias says. "We're really trying to give the chefs an opportunity to develop their own menus."
The company recently had its first tour of chefs. Based on member response, the company chose the best chefs to cook for more markets throughout the country. In fact, the chef who will kick off Denver's event is Danny Espinoza of Chicago's
Mexique.
The other chefs that will serve dishes at the Denver have yet to be named, but they will be about 50 percent local chefs and 50 percent from Dinner Lab's other markets, Macias says.
If you're interested in joining the soiree, you'll have to
sign up ahead of time. "We don't disclose our locations until the day before the event," Macias says. "We'll email them the day before. As far as our chefs and menus go, we release them three weeks out."
Membership is $125 and events will typically run $60 to $80 per person, and dinners will be staged in wineries, galleries and even empty warehouses.
The company has partnered with investors to help the best chefs in the program open their own restaurants, says Macias.
Contact Confluence Denver Innovation & Jobs News Editor Chris Meehan with tips and leads for future stories at chris@confluence-denver.com.
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