Ideas for OpenSeat Events
The ideas are endless: anything which connects people together over food and table. It may simply be a specific meal you would like others to taste, or a specific conversation topic you’d like to have. You can check out all the past public events on the platform here, but if you’d like some generic-yet-specific ideas right now, read on. Whether you mix and match, or outright steal one of these ideas, they represent just a few of the many different types of events that could be hosted via OpenSeat.
A sample of previous OpenSeat events
(Click on the title to see the event page)
Dining for Democracy: “A night where people with political intention and activism can gather over humble food to connect with like minded individuals to discuss matters of policy and civic action.”
Untold Stories of Entrepreneurship: “An evening where pizzas, whiskey and cigars are served as founders vulnerably share their war stories and battle scars, enabling connection with others in similar scenarios.”
Public Space Chats: “How does space impact us and others in our cities, and what does public space mean for those who don’t have homes? This event will provide some thought provoking examples and discussions for those that are passionate about city planning and public space.”
Tech Talks & Lasagne: “An event where techies can meet authentically and discuss how technology affects our everyday lives, in good ways and the bad. Nothing pulls a developer out of their cave like a good lasagne!”
Let’s Talk AI: “How do we regulate this new technology? As a starting point, read this article from which we will discuss the three specific points on how this technology has the power to improve and disrupt many parts of our day to day lives”.
Food-centred ideas for OpenSeat events
Themed Dinner Parties: Host a dinner party with a specific culinary theme, such as Mexican Night, Italian Pasta Party, or Vegan Feast. Choose a cuisine or dish that you enjoy and prepare a menu around it.
Cooking Classes: Host a cooking class where you teach guests how to prepare a specific dish or cuisine. This could be hands-on, or demonstration-style.
Catered Dinners: Host a catered dinner where you provide all the food and drinks for your guests by relying on the services of a food entrepreneur or caterer. This option allows you to host and connect with others, while relaxing and enjoying your own meal, leaving the cooking to a professional.
Food and Drink Pairing Events: Host a food and drink pairing event where you prepare different combinations of food and drinks.
Brunch Gatherings: Host a relaxed and casual brunch gathering for your guests. This is a great option for a lazy Sunday morning or a late weekend breakfast.
Cultural Exchange Dinners: Host a dinner featuring dishes from your cultural heritage and share your customs and traditions with your guests. This is a great way to showcase your family's unique background and learn about other cultures.
Wine and Cheese Tasting: Host a wine and cheese tasting event for your guests.
Farm-to-Table Dinner: Host a dinner featuring ingredients sourced from local farmers and producers, and tell some stories about the origins of your food. Perhaps include a few discussion points?
Progressive Dinner: Co-host a multi-course meal that is served at two or more locations throughout the evening. This is a great way to explore an area and share hosting responsibilities.
Mediterranean Night: Host a dinner featuring dishes inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. This is a great option for a light, flavorful meal with plenty of fresh vegetables and bright flavours.
Sushi Party: Host a sushi party where you teach your guests how to make sushi and sashimi.
Fondue Night: Host a fondue night featuring a variety of fondue dishes. This is a great option for a cosy winter gathering or a casual get-together with friends.
Potjie or Braai Feast: Host a braai feast featuring grilled meats, vegetables, and sides, or a potjie meal made on the fire.
Interest-themed ideas for OpenSeat events
Literary Exchange: Hosts provide a delicious meal while guests bring their favourite literary works to share with the group. Participants can discuss their favourite characters and stories, and even try to create their own literary works during the event.
Board Game Bonanza: Hosts provide a brunch-style meal while guests bring their favourite board games to play – alternately, the host selects and facilitates a single board game. Participants can enjoy a delicious breakfast spread while competing against each other in games like Ticket to Ride, Chess, Monopoly, Scrabble, or Settlers of Catan.
Meal and a Movie: Hosts organise a movie-screening preceded or followed by a discussion of the movie. The main course or desert supper would follow, enabling guests to connect through discussion of the film.
Language and Latte: Hosts provide coffee or tea (and perhaps a croissant) while guests can practise speaking different languages. Guests, whether speakers or learners of the target language, can share their cultural experiences and learn new words and phrases while sipping on their favourite hot beverage.
Fitness and Feast - Hosts provide a healthy brunch or lunch after a fitness class, such as yoga or pilates. Both host and guests can all bond over their shared love of fitness, healthy living, and the good life more generally – while enjoying delicious, nutritious food.
Writing and Wine: Hosts provide wine and a light meal while guests bring their writing projects to share. Guests can offer feedback and suggestions to each other while sampling different types of wine.
Culture and Cuisine: Hosts provide dishes from one or more different cultures while guests can learn about their cultural significance. Participants of the meal can share their own cultural experiences, prompted by the experience of trying novel food from the host’s kitchen.
Theater and Tapas: Hosts provide a theatrical performance, or facilitate a reading of a play or film script, all the while enjoying delicious tapas-style dishes. Guests can bond over their shared love of drama, theatre and food, while experiencing a unique and entertaining evening.
History and High Tea: Hosts provide a traditional British high tea while guests can discuss historical events and figures. Guests can learn about different time periods and share their favourite historical anecdotes, all while sipping on tea and indulging in delicious tea-time treats.