'We were trying to think outside the box': Milwaukee chefs debut new Community Table dining concept
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58)-- A Milwaukee couple has introduced a unique way of dining that is bringing strangers together over their love of food. The effort, called 'The Community Table,' is hosted at different Airbnb's across the city for an intimate, personable, and delicious four course, fine dining experience. This effort truly resonates on the message of how food brings people together.
30-year-old chef Jake Timms and his Fiancée, Becca Glaser, have dedicated themselves these past months to bringing a new dining experience to Milwaukee.
"We were trying to think outside the box, ways that we could bring people in the community together, serve great food, and just give someone a good experience. Something that they hadn't seen before," said Timms.
What started off as a fun way to network, connect, and expose Timms talent has turned into a new way of bringing people together that is different than dining at your local bar or restaurant.
"We can only do about 10 people depending on the table size. You get to know everybody; you get to meet the chef. They don't normally come to the table, serve the food and say hey, this is what you're having next," said Glaser. "You don't get to see them cooking in front of you, so really, that is the whole experience, is just being immersed in the food and in the people."
Twice a month, the couple hosts the intimate, exclusive dining experience that people literally can't wait to sign up for. Spots fill up quick for the dining experience.
"I was following MKE-E-Eats, and she posted about 'The Community Table' and I missed the first registration. I was camping out by my phone for the second registration because I missed the first one but I'm excited that I'm here," said Imani Murphy, a customer.
"We don’t have a lot of fine dining sort of experiences so when you have a small community that’s able to get together and do this, absolutely I gotta be a part of it," said Jenna Schorza, a customer.
And how can you resist when the menu consists of this:
"The foccasia bread with onion, I ate every last bite of that," said Schorza.
Once the menu and date are released on 'The Community Table' Instagram, 10 spots open for people to sign up online. The 4-course meal price varies depending on the menu and ingredients used. The latest was priced at $80.
Once the spots fill up, all the customers meet at an undisclosed Airbnb. As each guest shows up, they are greeted by the friendly and charismatic couple, followed by cocktails, a delicious 4 course meal, and endless conversations.
"That was our whole thing with this was to bring people together, get my name out there for when the future comes. That way people know us and they are willing to give us a try," said Timms.
What starts off as strangers sitting at a table, turns into a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
"It's nice to have community, be able to eat with other people and enjoy it, especially strangers. This is amazing," said Murphy.
At the core of 'The Community Table' is also highlighting Milwaukee, by using local ingredients for each meal and giving people different views of the city through the various Airbnb's used to host the dinner.
"It's taking parts and bits of Milwaukee by coming to a central location. It is Milwaukee local, Milwaukee chef, Milwaukee local people, It is getting to know people organically, people from the area," said Schorza.
The menu changes each month, as well as the décor as the seasons change, the location, and of course, the guests.
"It's a great date night, great for singles trying to get to know people in the city, great for groups of friends that want to go out and not be at a restaurant or they want a more intimate setting," said Timms.
Friendships have even flourished from people attending this dinner.
"Everyone learns a little something about someone else and they just get to know more and more as the night goes on," said Timms.
"People are actually reaching out and wanting to do this and he's finally getting his name out there. I'm just so excited because I feel like this has so much potential to grow," said Glaser.
And they're just getting started. Timms has plans of eventually expanding this into something more.
"Eventually I would love to grow into a small bar restaurant with local ingredients, craft cocktails and cool foods. For now, and eventually with that, I would like to continue doing these dinners, bringing the community together and showing everyone that there's people just like them or maybe different out there that enjoy the same things," said Timms.
But for now, they are taking it in and enjoying the community they have built from this. They welcome everyone to take a seat.
"It's just a fun thing to do. Who doesn't love a cocktail, a glass of wine, four course dinner, meeting other people. It's getting you out of the house, there's no reason not to come," said Glaser.
"I just think that people should try something new. Don't stick to the same restaurant. Go meet new people, try some good food, have an experience that you otherwise wouldn’t have had," said Timms.
To learn more about 'The Community Table' click here.