The Ghetto Gourmet was an underground dining experience in Oakland, California that ran from 2003 to 2008.
[1] Diners paid between $40 and $100 and were served a table d'hôte meal prepared by a professional chef at a non-restaurant location.
Douglas Adesko at Time magazine wrote: "Jeremy Townsend, the original Ghetto Gourmet, came up with the idea when his brother, a line cook, wanted to try some dishes.
Two years and one visit from a health inspector later, Townsend took his idea mobile, trying out chefs in other cities.
'My ultimate dream is to tour the country like a rock band, except with dinner parties,' he says.