Thomas Keller Harrods pop-up inspires 'cheeky supper club'

By Emma Eversham

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Thomas keller

Sabrina Ghayour's tongue-in-cheek supper club The French Launderette pays homage to French Laundry chef Thomas Keller
Sabrina Ghayour's tongue-in-cheek supper club The French Launderette pays homage to French Laundry chef Thomas Keller
Food writer and events organiser Sabrina Ghayour has announced plans to host a 'cheeky supper club' called The French Launderette in London this autumn to coincide with the launch of chef Thomas Keller's pop-up restaurant at luxury department store Harrods.

The four-course dinner will take place at The Chancery restaurant in the City on 2 October and will cost just £2.50 - 1 per cent of the £250 bill diners will receive after eating the nine-course dinner at Keller's London outpost.

Ghayour, a self-confessed Keller fan, told BigHospitality she'd decided to organise the event after reading about the plans for his restaurant​, which opens at Harrods on 1 October, and realising she and many others wouldn't be able to afford to go.

“I lost my job a month and a half ago so I just can't afford it," she said. "After a few hours spent on Twitter, it quickly became apparent that many other people wanted to dine at Keller’s pop-up, but were put off by the cost and in most cases unable to afford it. So I came up with a novel idea for an alternative supper club."

Twitter

It took Ghayour just 24 hours and access to social networking site Twitter to organise The French Launderette Supper Club, named after Keller's famous Californian restaurant The French Laundry. She said she was overwhelmed by the levels of interest and offers of help from members of the industry, including sommeliers and front-of-house staff.

"Within minutes, the news spread like wild fire on Twitter and people were tweeting and emailing, and wanting to take part by either dining, contributing ingredients or cooking on the night - and so it became a reality," she said. "The final detail was venue, and Zak Jones of The Chancery London offered his restaurant to me for the event."

Ghayour, who also works as a private chef and cookery teacher, said the event's menu will draw inspiration from Thomas Keller's most famous signature dishes, but stressed that she is in no way competing with the chef.

"It's a bit of fun and more to pay homage to him rather than spite him," she said.

Booking

Thirty of the 70 places at the event have already been sold but the rest will be given out on a first-come-first served basis when the booking line opens on 1 September - the same date lines open for Keller's restaurant.

Ghayour said all donations above the £2.50 ticket price are welcome, and will go directly to the Action Against Hunger charity.

To book call 020 7854 9369 or email: SerapuYnhaqrerggr@ubgznvy.pb.hx

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