With intimate settings, intricate menus, and thoughtfully crafted experiences, supper clubs are fast becoming popular with the country’s gourmands. Born in Hollywood in the early 1930s, the concept was all about celebrating life after the period of Prohibition, when people began gathering in private spaces to eat, drink, and socialise freely. Over the years, supper clubs lost their novelty, only to see a strong revival after the pandemic. People were more eager than ever to share a table with strangers for the sheer pleasure of eating together as a result of the extended months of solitude, which rekindled a need for genuine, face-to-face contact.
Image Credit: Debanjana Roy, Table13 Supper Club
Good food has always had the power to unite people, and the post-pandemic Indian dining scene amply illustrates this change. Today's diners are looking for experiences that are more intimate, tailored, and personal rather than just crowded eateries with standard menus. That's just what supper clubs deliver; expertly designed courses in inviting, frequently familial spaces where interaction is just as fundamental as the food.
Kolkata naturally fits in here. The city and its food variety have always been fashionable. Kolkata has always welcomed different culinary cultures with ease, from elaborate home-cooked banquets to street-side meals. As a result, the city embraced the trend of supper clubs. “I have been travelling with my parents from a very young age, and my parents have also been very experimental, experiencing local food, which was the foundation. However, since food has been an integral part of my life, it has never occurred to me that it was special. Also, I never planned to create a supper club; it came together very organically," says Debanjana Roy, whose Table13 Supper Club operates out of her Gariahat apartment. What was previously a private residence has been transformed into a communal dining space where strangers congregate around a single table, connected by common enjoyment of food curiosity, and discussion.
Image Credit: Debanjana Roy, Table13 Suppr Club
Food has always surrounded Debanjana's upbringing. Hosting and entertaining were routine because her mother was renowned for her superb home cooking, and her father used to manage a well-known Chinese restaurant in South Kolkata. She started baking and cooking at a young age, so it was only natural for her to make every gathering a home-cooked festivity. She was therefore immediately drawn to the idea of supper clubs when she first learnt about them on social media, particularly given that there weren't many in Kolkata at the time. The concept of gathering individuals around one dining room table was what she appreciated dearly. For Debanjana, supper clubs are about the whole experience that takes place around the food, beyond what's on the plate.
A Kitchen, A Host & A Room Full Of Stories
Food has always been on her mind when she travels. Her travels are more about eating her way through civilisations than they are about crossing locations off a list. She readily blends in with the local rhythms as an independent traveller, exploring markets, striking up conversations with shopkeepers, observing live counters at work, and enjoying delicacies where it belongs. Every place she travels to leaves her with memories and sensations, but Turkey's rich history and delicious cuisine stuck with her long after the trip was over. Nearer to home, Mizoram inspired the creation of her Northeast Table, which is currently one of her favourite memories. Her travels have shaped her Turkish, Thai, Mediterranean, Italian, and Northeast tables, each of which carries spices, tales, and a sense of place back home.
Travel, in her opinion, transforms you subtly but profoundly. She believes that the earth is a classroom unto itself, one that imparts perspective and humility. “I have been incredibly fortunate to meet people across the world who have shared their stories, their lived experiences and their food. We have talked about social and political conditions of their country, and what they eat for breakfast,” she divulges. Debanjana believes that local markets and cuisine are where culture really shines. Because of this, she adheres to a single, straightforward principle—travel as much as you can since the more you see, the more you comprehend.
Debanjana explains, “People have varied tastes, so I often receive requests for cuisines that aren’t easily available here. Turkish and Mediterranean tables have been repeatedly requested, and I have also hosted Italian tables twice due to popular demand. The Northeast table, however, was a standout hit as the flavours are completely different from what most people here have experienced.”
How Does Table13 Supper Club Appeal To That Demand?
What's in it for diners? Visiting someone's home and dining with strangers—is it the excitement of the unknown? Is it the anticipation of an exceptional supper? As it happens, numerous things are involved. Especially when it come sto her Northeast table. She refers to Northeast India as a hidden gem, one that is remarkably unspoiled and firmly anchored in its customs. The food is what most appeals to her; it's simple yet flavourful, light yet bold. The food is based on seasonal, fresh ingredients and traditional, sustainable cooking methods, ranging from fermented greens and smoked meats to bamboo shoots, regional herbs, and river fish. allowing the power of fire, smoke, and fermentation to shine on the produce. Her Northeast Table, which aims to capture the essence of the locale on a plate, was inspired by her simple and ingredient-forward culinary approach.
The Heirloom Table, a sentimental array of family recipes passed down through the generations, food that communicates memories, not just flavour, is something else she frequently receives requests for. And then there are her themed tables, when she lets her creativity run free. Her most whimsical idea to date is Riot of Flavours, a carefully chosen assortment of her finest recipes from many cultures gathered on a single table, akin to a shared personal culinary soundtrack.
Around The World, Served At Table13 Supper Club
It's more than simply a meal; it's a way to build relationships and create memories that last long after the first bite. These days, everyone is craving novel experiences and new social relationships, and supper clubs offer both on a platter. While the originality of the concept is enticing to the audience, supper clubs, at the end of the day, are measured by the same norm that traditional restaurants are, in terms of the cuisine and the overall dining experience. The wonderful feeling and its constancy are the main draws. The second is, of course, the meal itself. For example, her Apartment Cafe has a thoughtful menu, and diners can tell that she spent a lot of time and energy creating it. Thirdly, she included a great deal of detail in the pop-up.
Image Credit: Debanjana Roy, Table13 Supper Club
For her, travel and food go hand in hand because it's how she truly gets to know a place. People's eating, cooking, sourcing, and sharing practices reveal as much about a place as its skylines or landmarks ever could. Local cuisine serves as a window into daily living, geography, history, and culture. If you’re someone who actually cares about travel, she says the journey is never complete without eating like a local, whether that’s street food, home kitchens or regional specialities you won’t find on any tourist menu.
An interesting fact that makes Table13 a hit in Kolkata is the amalgamation and sourcing of a few magical elements. Debanjana iteriates, “Since I bring back spices and recipes from my travels, my cooking is largely influenced by them, and I try to keep each dish as authentic as possible. Occasionally, however, small adjustments are necessary when certain ingredients aren’t available locally.” Therefore, the top three factors that encourage guests to return for more are outstanding quality food, a good time, and stability.
Image Credit: Debanjana Roy, Table13 Supper Club
A Peek Into The Next Trips At Table13 Supper Club
Every trip she takes is enjoyable, and it always revolves around food. It is difficult to pinpoint, of all the places she has visited, Europe and Italy stood out ofcourse, so did Spain and Turkey. She was also fortunate to visit South Korea long ago, but the flavours have been with her ever since. For every culinary enthusiast in Asia, Thailand and Vietnam are must-visit, she advises. She also has a soft corner for the food and culture of Lucknow, the Northeast, particularly Manipur and Mizoram and coastal beauties like Kochi and Goa. Maybe, if you book a seat at her supper club table, you might be the next travel buddy across the food she serves on the plate? The excellent food will keep patrons coming back, even though more people may be looking for the immersive experience after seeing it on social media. Supper clubs will keep expanding as long as there is a market seeking and enjoying such experiences. The idea will probably stay grassroots for a long time because India is a price-sensitive market. It might take the form of private dining, which would easily fill the void left by small-scale caterers offering services for special occasions like anniversary dinners and birthday celebrations.