The world's largest social network is not Facebook, it's food. Sharing food with strangers is a new foodie trend, it's finding a place in the Czech Republic
From individualism to shared (gastro) experiences
In today's world of rush, hustle and individualism, the common way of eating that we are used to in restaurants seems quite "normal". Recently, however, a new trend has been gaining attention, but one that has a relatively long tradition in human history: sharing meals, a universal human experience that transcends borders, cultures and generations. After all, even one of the most visionary chefs of our time, Ferran Adria, claims that "the world's biggest social network is food, not Facebook".
Since the time of ancient civilisations, people have been sharing bread at meals, breaking it off - and often sharing it with strangers, it was simply an integral part of human interaction. While the ancient Greeks held special symposiums where they shared food, drank wine and conversed, the Romans were famous for their elaborate feasts, which served as a platform for the presentation of culinary art as well as a demonstration of social status. Many religions also include the sharing of food as a sacred practice (indeed, in Christianity, bread and wine are shared as part of the Eucharist). Sharing food is associated with a number of positives, ranging from promoting the formation of bonds between people (incidentally, when sharing food, one is also 'forced' to think of others besides oneself - to have something left over for them, etc.) to the creation of new memories.
So while the concept of eating together and sharing is certainly not new, for many it is becoming a new and unexpected source of a comforting atmosphere built on hospitality and the possibility of bonding. Many businesses are thus trying to turn individual enjoyment into a social experience. In other countries, restaurants that offer dishes in a way that guests can easily share are already being called 'The New Sharing'.
The gastronomic concept itself can be basically anything - you can encounter shared dishes in modern bistros, ethno-restaurants, tapas bars, sushi places, as well as restaurants that offer sharing as an option. Either way, sharing food brings people together and fosters a sense of community, which becomes very attractive to many diners. In addition, the concept goes some way to cater for those who like to taste and have trouble choosing just one dish from the menu (and then just quietly and enviously peer at their fellow diners' plates).
Zdroj: Giphy
Gastro is changing
The application of sharing in practice then, of course, affects serving practices and gastronomic terminology - with chefs often working with special types of larger serving plates that are more suitable for sharing dishes between multiple people. Ultimately, the same applies to the layout of a restaurant, and thus the placement of tables so that more people can sit (and eat) together. The main principle that should be followed, however, is that everyone should be able to serve themselves and actively participate not only in the selection but also in the sharing of specific dishes - not only with the people they have come with, but also with those they do not know at all and have just met for the first time at the table.
Where he is already sharing...
There are countless businesses around the world where guests share food. In Mallorca, Spain, for example, the luxury restaurant Brut enjoys great popularity, but it does not even offer traditional tables to sit at, there is only a bar. And because of the relatively small capacity of a maximum of 16 guests, visitors often cannot even choose who will sit next to them. Moreover, the open kitchen is located directly behind the bar, which enhances the whole experience, and everyone who comes to the place is truly united by the atmosphere.
In America, on the west coast, the République café opens every day. Equipped with long wooden tables, the furnishings can give the impression of a medieval knight's castle rather than a 21st century coffee shop. However, the place is very popular - the café (whose history, incidentally, is linked to Charlie Chaplin) is self-service and guests can then sit together at tables and enjoy the company of other guests as well as coffee.
In Switzerland, they have completely reimagined the concept - and proved that sharing food is definitely not just a fashion trend, but that there are also social elements to it. As part of the m-eating tables project, a number of Swiss restaurants are also setting up one large table (known as an m-eating table) in their premises for anyone who, for whatever reason, chooses to prefer eating with other strangers. There are countless reasons for eating in the company of others (even strangers) - some people simply don't want to sit and eat alone, others are purposefully making new friendships, and still others use these tables for networking. And there is definitely interest in m-eating tables, as evidenced by the fact that over twenty restaurants across the country already offer them.
And here? In the Czech Republic, it is possible to come across tapas restaurants otherwise known in Spain. These too are based on tasting and sharing - even if they are not classic restaurants with the usual "big dishes" on the menu. Anyway, probably the most famous (and also the first in the Czech Republic) tapas restaurant is Medité in Mariánské Lázně. In Prague, for example, the tapas restaurant El Camino is based on the same principle (in addition, there are also a number of tapas bars in the Czech Republic). In Prague, the Spojka Karlín restaurant also plays with sharing food (this time not only shared "appetizers", but also real main dishes), where guests can order both classic dishes "for one" and those to be shared (for now, rather between diners who come together). "We believe that food sharing is not just about food, but also about sharing time, experiences and the joy of good company," explains Martin Kolář, the manager there, explaining why they decided to try out this new trend. How far the concept will catch on in the Czech Republic is questionable. In any case, it is getting more and more attention. Even though it may not "fit" everyone, it is true that there are few "activities" as natural to humans as sharing time at meals and sharing the food itself...
