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September 25, 2018

Members-only Dining Collective heads to Philly for private dinners hosted by the city's top chefs

Russet, Will BYOB and Cadence are first participants

Food & Drink Restaurants
tasting collective facebook Tasting Collective/Facebook

The Tasting Collective launches in Philadelphia this October.

A brand-new dining concept already established in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco is finally making its way to Philadelphia with members-only club Tasting Collective, which begins here next month.

Though there are a handful of highly coveted, members-only restaurants already in the city (such as Palizzi Social Club), Tasting Collective functions a little differently. Rather than stationed as one dining destination, the collective is literally a moveable feast, setting up shop at different restaurants so that chefs can preview new menus and other specials with area foodies for feedback, and offer a more hands-on look at how the dishes are made.

Members may take part in the private dinners for a $126 annual membership, plus $50 a head per dinner. Members can bring guests for an additional $25. Eater reported three Philly restaurants are locked into Tasting Collective so far: Center City's Russet, East Passyunk's Will BYOB and Kensington's Cadence. Dinners at those establishments will begin early October.

During a typical Tasting Collective dinner, you can expect more intimate interaction with chefs, including insight of the story behind various dishes, and a constant flow of food.

"We call it an eight-course feast, but there's no break," Tasting Collective Founder & CEO Nat Gelb told Eater. "The food just keeps coming, it's a whirlwind experience."

Once the food starts flowing, Tasting Collective also brings Yelp to real life. Diners participate in a Q&A at the end of the meal, as well as rate dishes and provide written comments as courses are served.

Interested in becoming a member? Visit Tasting Collective to request an invitation.


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