I have been hosting my supper club since 2011 and I love it! As a single mum I moved to Brighton in 2009 and on completion of a foundation degree in Food and Culinary Arts at Brighton University, needed to find a way to put food on my own table! I started with a stall selling lunch time fare at farmers markets and events in the City. As a non trained chef I felt honoured that people liked my food – great feedback really helped to boost my confidence in my cooking ability. Food stalls offer a fantastic way to access a customer base and many of these asked if I had a restaurant. I am massively respectful to all restaurateurs; it’s a really tough industry and whilst I had worked in many great places in London I was always clear that it was not something I wanted for myself. I love cooking and am now comfortable describing myself as a chef, however I couldn’t imagine working on the level required to build a fantastic restaurant. My front of house background suited me as I love to chat and host – so a supper club seemed, and is my perfect job!
Most of the evenings are hosted from my sitting room. The sofas and furniture have to be moved out around and wedged in the front hall and one long table for 18 is set up. Naturally food does play a part in the night and to satisfy this I serve 5 seasonal courses. My cooking style is big and bold and I love to use local produce to create some tasty offerings. Although I am offering a dining experience, the main focus is on socialising with old school conviviality. My front of house guru is Wendy, who is just brilliant at making our guests feel welcome. People generally come in couples or small groups and are seated with each other, and alongside other guests that at the start they won’t know. We don’t manage this part of the night. Wendy looks after, I cook, and the guests relax and enjoy! I can appreciate that it can be a little daunting to come to a stranger’s house to sit alongside strangers, though I wholeheartedly believe that we are skilled at making people feel welcome and relaxed. Naturally if there’s a large party get-together of up to eighteen guests, then my supper club may be the perfect venue for catching up with friends and family.
Advance booking essential – £40pp for 5 courses with 2 free drinks. If you’d like to know more about Tina’s Supper Club please telephone 07932 797671, email contactcantina @gmail.com or visit cantinabrighton.co.uk
“As Tina mentions, her venue is a great place for a get together. I recently enjoyed an evening at CanTina Brighton with 15 other girlfriends as we celebrated a friend’s 50th birthday. The ambience was perfect, and being the right number of guests to warrant the room to ourselves, we experienced really personal service. The food was scrumptious and Tina accommodated our varying food likes/dislikes into her comprehensive 5 course menu. The service provided by Tina and Wendy was perfect; perfect timing of courses and attentive service which allowed us to just chat, relax and enjoy. The table and room were set beautifully with ambient lighting and, together with the warm welcome, I felt as if I were enjoying a relaxing meal in a friend’s home.” Lesley – Publisher
