IKEA’s Pop-Up Restaurants

Forget Swedish meatballs and beef stroganoff, IKEA is getting into the pop-up restaurant game.

The trendy home furnishings retailer is planning to open a pop-up, do-it-yourself restaurant at its Shoreditch store in London from Saturday, Sept. 10 to Sunday, Sept. 25. The concept, known as The Dining Club, will allow “kitchen novices, wannabe-cooks and fine-diners alike” the opportunity to build and cook their own meals for themselves and other members of their group, according to IKEA.

The Dining Club will feature trained chefs supervising the customers’ preparation of meals, which include Swedish-themed breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. Those who want to partake in The Dining Club can prepare meals for up to 20 people at a time.

IKEA said that there will be only 38 sessions of The Dining Club offered over that two-week period, and those who want to take part must register on IKEA’s website for parties of 7–19 guests (along with the chef). Those who are selected to take part will be notified directly by IKEA.

In addition to the culinary courses, The Dining Club will also be running a series of “inspiring workshops” featuring speakers discussing a range of topics, including everything from establishing a “green” kitchen to preparing one ingredient four different ways.

IKEA said its IKEA café will also remain open inside its Shoreditch store for normal 10 a.m.–10 p.m. hours while the pop-up shop is also going on.