Restaurants wan't need seats....Number 6 on a list of 2017 for Food, Tech, Travel......

northGAcock

I was on air travel yesterday and happened to look through the airline magazine (which I rarely do). There was a "Best List" of 2017 assembled from a list of experts asking what the big trends will be in this New Year. The one that caught my eye was (Restaurants want need seats) that stated that it is the year of restaurant alternatives. This includes delivery only places but the specific idea that resonated was an app that connects home cooks with diners looking for a good meal. It listed EatWith https://www.eatwith.com/ as and example that links diners to cooks doing pop-ups in 299 cities worldwide. Check out the site....there are many other features like cooking classes etc.

My question to the forum.....of those who love to cook.....do you see opportunity for yourselves to provide meals to travelers in the same fashion that Uber is providing transportation services? In other words, if there was an app that provided you with dinners at your own home, (interested in a specific type of food (egged, local cuisines, etc.))....would you provide that service? I am assuming you would have the ability to choose the days and times that might be available to ones schedule....and provide some additional income....again much like the Uber model. I throw this out there because I am curious of your benefit / drawback thoughts? I think it is an interesting concept. To be clear.....I am just stimulating discussion here....not considering starting a business or eCommerce solicitations. This model may already exist in your area.....have you tried it from a consumer or producer side....etc. 

JethroVA

Too much chaos in my life to attempt this right now.  I am planning a cook for an organization that houses low income out of towners who have family members at our academic medical center.  

WeberWho

My friends friend started a delivery service here in town that will deliver food from places that don't deliver. He's been doing it for the last 8 years or so. Interesting concept.

I'd be interested in doing something like that. I just wonder what all the extra costs will be and if it will need to be done in a commercial kichen. (All the FDA guidelines) Business insurance if someone gets sick, etc. Not sure if it's worth the risk and reward 

evie1370

Agree with @WeberWho. You would need to be a commercially licensed kitchen with Board of Health approval. I have a friend who bakes goodies in her home and sells them and she had to meet those guidelines, which include no pets-just like a restaurant kitchen. I think those requirements will keep a lot of people out of the game.  

lousubcap

@northGAcock -  traveling on my least favorite domestic carrier, I see.  Regrettably I was on that friggin airline earlier this week and saw the article. I immediately thought of the licensing issues and then moved on.  

Kayak

I can't see doing it, but I'm hardly an entrepreneur. Although, if blowing off regulations can work for Uber, I suppose this idea is just awaiting some billionaires to do the hard work of dreaming it up for the rest of us.

northGAcock

lousubcap said:

@northGAcock -  traveling on my least favorite domestic carrier, I see.  Regrettably I was on that friggin airline earlier this week and saw the article. I immediately thought of the licensing issues and then moved on.  

@lousubcap .....yes I did and ashamed of my platinum status.

To you and the others responding...my follow up question is isn't that the same type of argument that cab drivers have used to justify their position against Uber? I agree with the liability issue and food handling risk..So the regulatory is a absolute requirement?  What if customers rated the cleanliness and sanitation of the home kitchens? Unlike restaurants, preparation may take place before your eyes. What if they were to demonstrate they purchase from  reputable grocers and food specialist?  I am not arguing against....just challenging for discussion sake.

HofstraJet

Sounds dangerous to invite strangers into your home.

RRP

JethroVA said:

 that houses low income out of towners who have family members at our academic medical center.  

That sounds like an oxymoron if I ever heard one!

HofstraJet

RRP said:

JethroVA said:

 that houses low income out of towners who have family members at our academic medical center.  

That sounds like an oxymoron if I ever heard one!

I think he was referring to family members who are patients at the academic medical center, not the physicians.

gdenby

"My question to the forum.....of those who love to cook.....do you see opportunity for yourselves to provide meals to travelers in the same fashion that Uber is providing transportation services?"

No. Primarily because neither my kitchen or dining space is adequate. Secondarily, I'm getting too old for the hassle. There are plenty of good places to eat where I live. I know some of the chefs, cooks, and sources. All good people, why would I want to take business away from them?

In a broader sense, looking at the eatwith.com site, why would someone want to reserve a meal in cities where there are loads of great restaurants?

I can understand why someone might want to offer to host a dinner. Say, a cook at a restaurant who wants to try some thing new, or different from what the restaurant offers. Or someone who is a good cook, is exceptionally hospitable, and can benefit from other people paying for the skill and ingredients, and pick up a couple of bucks at the same time. But in a city w Michelin starred restaurants? For every one of those, there should be a dozen places almost as good.

What I could imagine to be useful was access to someone's home table in a small town that has almost nothing but chain restaurants. A "dinner and bed" if you will. Or even a home made carry out. But those places aren't likely to have airports. They are stops along the road. Are there enough regular auto travelers for someone to keep extra food on hand? Or a freezer full of SV pouches? If there are, why isn't there already a local cafe?

Kayak

The fact that taxi drivers are regulated much more than Uber drivers is a pretty important point to them.  Not all 'regulation' is designed to destroy freedom and serve the wealthy. Customers are no more qualified to rate sanitation than home cooks. You just can't see those nasty germs. More than likely, with all the good restaurants in an area, you would end up competing for the Walmart shopper. No idea of your costs, and losing money.

RRP

HofstraJet said:

RRP said:

JethroVA said:

 that houses low income out of towners who have family members at our academic medical center.  

That sounds like an oxymoron if I ever heard one!

I think he was referring to family members who are patients at the academic medical center, not the physicians.

Thanks for explaining - we have a U of I medical college here in town and I was thinking he meant the family members of the students - me bad!

YukonRon

I do not think I would do this. I have enough awkward in my life now. I like friends, and family, dinners and dinner parties, too much, to compromise that time for those I do not know. I am selfish that way, and I appreciate the opportunity, to share the time I have left, with those for whom I care.

Legume

no thanks, I'm not really interested in either side of this. 

however, if someone started up say, a home dentistry or home surgery 'enthusiast' app, I'd be all in

theyolksonyou

I'm socially awkward

Read asshôle

YukonRon

theyolksonyou said:

I'm socially awkward

Read asshôle

@theyolksonyou  
You are one of the best folks I know. However, your capacity for BS, is lengendary. Cool dude, by any measure.

Jeremiah

All bs aside, I've had the pleasure to be invited to Robins table several times now. Each time we (the wife and I) left feeling inadequate with our culinary and hosting skills. Now let's just not get started about those store bought buffalo wings...