I have had number of people ask me what a pop up (or a sprout up, as I like to call them) dinner is.
A pop up is a dinner, usually in any kind of space that has access to a kitchen. It can be in a home, a barn, a farm, an airplane hanger or a brewery, you get the idea. The point is it is a fun and different way to showcase a chef and her (or his) food, perfect when they don’t have a brick and mortar restaurant and/or if they want to do something completely outside of what they do daily in their home kitchen.The level of creativity and originality that you see at these things can be pretty crazy because there is little risk. Dinners rarely are scheduled for more than a few nights, then the opportunity is gone.
These dinners are happening all over the world!
Often, these dinners are at a secret location until it is announced, usually a day or two before the event.
I have a dinner coming up at Studio F. Studio F is in the historic Icehouse building in Denver on 18th and Wyncoop.
This dinner is a celebration of food from all around the globe. I’m serving these dinners same week as the premiere of Around the World in 80 Plates, airing on Bravo on May 9.
The menu begins in Spain with a trio of tapas and moves on to Thailand so guests may enjoy (Il mondo Vecchio) lap chong paired with a beautiful cocktail featuring Mekhong, the spirit of Thailand. Attendees will move on to my favorite country, Italy, and work their way to France, finishing in Morocco with a one-of-a-kind m’hanncha, a snake-shaped cake surrounded by almond-stuffed dates and the partner to end most Moroccan meals, warm mint tea.
All of the cocktails and wines are paired with ingredients and origins from each country, and I’ve got music from each country to pair with the evening as well, as I really think that enhances the experience.
I’m thrilled to join on of my favorite Colorado chefs, James Mazzio, (one of Food & Wine’s best new chefs in 1999) as we celebrate the opening of Studio F and the debut of my new show. I want to give my guests a little bit of flavor from all of my favorite parts of the world.
Each evening will feature a seating at 6:00 pm. Please arrive early and have delicious libation as we will begin the experience on time. and tickets for the 5-course dinner are $100. Tickets may be purchased online by visiting www.studioflodo.com.