THE EXPERIENTIAL CURATORS: TAHNYA BUTTERFIELD AND SARAH TAN
Private home dining has been boiling over for the past couple of years (even Vogue devoted an article to the movement last December). Consider this duo’s three-year-old outfit Noshtrekker the next step up: It seeks out and curates exclusive hosts that run the gamut from thespians to chefs, and even fashion consultants, to conceptualise a meal. The goal: to have patrons leave having learnt something about the local culture that’s not usually found in travel guides. “There are many who enjoy cooking for others. However, finding someone who is an excellent cook who can (also) be a docent of culture... while having what we call ‘sharp service eyes’ is an absolute art,” says co-founder/brand director Tan. Every potential host, she explains, goes through about four months of training (menu design, table service, styling, and even how to interact with guests) before one can be deemed ready. Daunting as that might seem, that’s not stopped the company from expanding beyond Singapore two months ago: Now, via Noshtrekker, you can dine in unconventional spaces such as an arts academy or golf course in
Australia, or be hosted by a food anthropologist in Italy.