Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Waitrose & Partners is to roll out its supper club concept to a further 42 shops working with WeFiFo, the social dining platform.
More than 1,300 guests are expected to be served over the course of the events, which will be held in 42 different branches of the supermarket chain across the UK between now and the end of March.
The roll out builds on the success of WeFiFo entering John Lewis Partnership’s retail tech innovation programme, JLAB, last year. After fighting off competition from over 200 start-up businesses, WeFiFo was awarded £100,000 of investment and access to advice and support. Since then seven supper clubs in shops have been trialled, where more than 150 guests were served over the course of seven evenings. Music is played during the evenings and guests sit at communal tables to encourage an inclusive experience.
WeFiFo connects home cooks, supper club hosts and professional chefs with diners in their local community. In the case of the events held in Waitrose shops, WeFiFo gives professional chefs the opportunity to showcase their talents to Waitrose customers.
WeFiFo organises and host the events on behalf of the chefs, who develop menus using food and wine available from Waitrose. Menus this year have included African and Thai themes and future events will include vegan and vegetarian supper clubs as well as ‘free from’ supper clubs. Places can be booked at www.wefifo.com with prices varying dependent on event.
Waitrose & Partners head of hospitality Rebecca Hemsley, said: “Our supper clubs are one of the many ways we’re bringing innovative and unique services to our customers which aren’t provided by other supermarkets. These events not only showcase the talented chefs we have here in the UK, but also what’s available in our shops. It’s a fantastic opportunity for guests to enjoy new dishes and be inspired to recreate them using ingredients they may not have tried before.”
Waitrose & Partners has 349 shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, including 61 convenience branches, and 27 shops at Welcome Break locations.
