Curiosity Supper Club: A Dinner Network for Global Citizens

On food, connection, and the art of gathering.

What happens when strangers gather around a table, sharing food and stories?

In my family, food is a language of love and connection, spoken fluently across generations. For decades, my parents have built their lives around food and community, creating a home where the door is always open and unexpected visitors are welcomed with warmth and generosity. Food is a way of sharing abundance and making others feel seen.

Our table, rooted in Persian heritage, was always prepared for guests, whether expected or not. Whether it was for a neighbour dropping by unannounced or a friend passing through town, the unspoken rule of Persian hospitality is to always have enough to share. Cooking for six when there were only three of us could be seen as wasteful or indulgent, but, in reality, it was pragmatic.

This legacy of shared tables shaped my perspective on food and connection. Growing up, I watched my parents create spaces where people felt cared for and at ease. Later, when I began hosting my own dinners, I carried those same traditions forward. I always had an extra portion ready in case someone unexpected joined. Many of my evenings ended with deep conversations stretching late into the night—always with steaming cups of tea.

It’s this open approach to food and connection—shaped by my upbringing—that inspires the launch of a new project.

In an essay at the end of 2024, I wrote about the dinner table as a place for meals and movements, and my experiences hosting a colourful cast of dinner party characters at my apartment in Amsterdam. Many of you reached out, sharing stories of your own meaningful meals and asking how you could be part of something like this.

The Curiosity Supper Club is my answer: It’s a way to host and attend dinners anywhere in the world, with me and this newsletter as your co-hosts.

Why curiosity?

When we gather as global citizens, we bring with us stories and perspectives shaped by different places, cultures, and experiences. These dinners are a chance to explore the big questions of the human condition with warmth, openness, and curiosity.

Around these tables, we might ask:

• What does “home” mean when you belong everywhere and nowhere?

• How does the privilege of certain passports influence your access to the world?

• If you could design a new country, what would it look like?

• What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned from living across cultures?

• How do online spaces shape your sense of community and belonging?

These questions might seem abstract, but they come to life around a table, where food becomes the catalyst for real conversations and shared understanding. The goal isn’t to agree or to arrive at answers—it’s to listen, learn, and leave with new ideas to reflect on.

Hosting a Curiosity Supper Club dinner creates the space for these questions to unfold, turning abstract ideas into real conversations around the table.

How to host

Sharing food is one of the simplest ways to create connection, but hosting can feel daunting. That’s why these steps are designed to make it easy—so you can focus on the conversations and connections that make the evening special:

• Pick a theme. Choose something that resonates with you—a dish, a cuisine, or a cultural celebration.

• Set expectations. Let guests know what to bring or do—contribute a dish, suggest a board game, or pay their share at the restaurant.

• Choose your space. Hosting at home is great, but if you don’t have space or it feels like too much, opt for a cozy restaurant with sharing plates instead.

• Start small. For your first dinner, keep it simple with four to six guests. Smaller groups make it easier to connect.

• Let the evening flow. Plan the basics, but leave room for spontaneity. Often, the vibe will take its own shape, little effort required.

Every dinner will have its own rhythm, shaped by the people and stories gathered around the table.

Hosting doesn’t ask for perfection or performance. Some of my most memorable dinners weren’t meticulously planned—they felt alive and spontaneous, shaped by the people and stories gathered around the table. You don’t need to be an extrovert, a seasoned host, or even a great cook to create something special.

How to guest

Not everyone wants to host, and that’s okay. Showing up as a guest is just as important—and just as meaningful.

• Be present. Put away distractions (like your phone) and ask plenty of questions—curiosity is contagious.

• Respect the host’s effort. If you RSVP, please show up! If you’re running late, let them know.

• Share openly. Your stories, traditions, and experiences add richness to the evening. Lean into that energy.

Get involved

The Curiosity Supper Club isn’t just about dinners—it’s about creating a global web of connection, where shared tables foster deeper understanding and community.

If you’re ready to be part of it:

• Subscribe to the calendar. Stay updated on dinners near you and wherever you’re travelling. Subscribe here.

• Host a dinner. Create an event on Luma, add dinner@lraz.io as a co-host, and I’ll feature your listing in the newsletter.

Call to action

Food has the power to break down barriers and create moments that linger long after the plates are cleared. Around a dinner table, strangers become friends, and ideas flow in ways that rarely happen elsewhere.

The Curiosity Supper Club invites you to experience that for yourself—by hosting a gathering or taking a seat at a friendly table. It’s a chance to create connections that ripple outward, one shared meal at a time.

Ready to give it a try? Reach out if you have questions or need tips (you can reply to this email to contact me).

🗣️ In the meantime, I’d love to know: What’s the best dinner table experience you’ve ever had? What makes a great dinner party? Share your stories in the comments.

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Wondering what to read next? Check out last week’s essay below 👇