Mise en Table: A Mutual Support Gathering for Food Entrepreneurs & Creatives
Building a food brand or business is hard. The stakes are real, the learning curve is steep, and there's no clear roadmap — just a long series of tasks and decisions you mostly have to figure out on your own. What if you didn't have to do it alone?
Mise en Table is a monthly gathering for the people doing the work to bring great food and dining experiences to life. This is about creating the conditions for people working in food and beverage to set themselves up for success — by sharing resources, asking hard questions, putting everything on the table, and building the kind of mutual support that only comes from a real community of peers.
This isn't another networking event. It's a free, working peer group where food entrepreneurs, creatives, and operators come together to share resources, solve real problems, and build the kind of connections that actually move your work forward. No panels. No pitching. Just a room full of people who get it.
Who is this for?
Food and beverage brand founders, chefs, bakers, restaurant/bar/cafe owners, food writers, photographers, stylists, supper club hosts, hospitality executives, food tech operators — and anyone else building something in the food and beverage space.
Seats are limited. Come as you are — ready to put it all out on the table to set yourself and fellow builders up for success.
What to Expect
Every session has a simple rotating format — a resource swap, a show-and-tell, a live problem-solving session, Q&A with a guest who supports the industry — plus ample time to connect and find your next collaborator.
Our first session is a Resource Swap. Come prepared with one resource to share: a vendor you trust, a tool that's saved you time, a contact you'd vouch for, a template that's been useful. You'll leave with a list of what everyone recommended — and an invite to our resource library where we'll keep a running list of people, tools, and tips recommended by the community.
Agenda
Mise En Table: The Resource Swap
12:00 – 12:15: Arrivals + Open Table
Coffee and tea provided. Feel free to bring a bite to share — a product sample, something from a test batch, leftovers from a shoot. No pressure, just a low-key spread of things people made.
12:15 – 12:30: Quick Intros
Your name and what you're working on right now. Not career history — just the primary thing you are growing today.
12:30 – 1:15: The Resource Swap
Come with one resource to share: a vendor you trust, a tool that's saved you time, a contact you'd vouch for, a template that's been useful. Two minutes each to share with the group.
1:15 – 1:45: Open Floor + Connections
Unstructured time to find the people in the room whose work connects with yours. The intros and resource swap will have surfaced what everyone needs — this is where it becomes useful.
1:45 – 2:00: Closing + Vote for Next Month's Format
One ask, one offer from anyone who wants to share. Then we vote (stickers on a board) for next month's format. Make sure you've opted-in to receive email from us — we'll follow up with a recap, resources, and invite to the next gathering.
Meet Your Hosts:
Letters from the Table
Letters from the Table is a project exploring the ways food connects us with people, places, memories, and the present moment. It is a series of love letters and a platform for creating connection through storytelling and intentional gatherings. Our mission is to highlight the stories of people who express themselves through food, and connect creators of emerging food brands with an audience that is deeply interested in their work.
Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic letters, recipes, invitations to gatherings, and atmospheric content.
Joni Goldbach
Joni, the creator of Letters from the Table, is a fractional Product leader supporting founders, business leaders, and teams in reaching their goals and creating meaningful experiences for their customers.
Fabrik
Fabrik is a home for communities where everyone has a place to belong. With spaces designed to feel more like your living room than your office, Fabrik’s third spaces are vibrant hubs where people can come together in real life, explore interests, forge meaningful connections, and build a sense of community.
If you'd like to stay at Fabrik to work for the day, day passes are available for $29 here.
FAQ
The artwork in the event image is amazing! Who is the artist?
That's Still Life with Melon and Pears by Luis Meléndes, painted in 1772.
Where can I find more events like this?
Follow Letters from the Table via our calendar here on Luma, on substack, and on Instagram to be the first to know about our future events. As we get going, we'll be sharing more resources and events hosted by other folks in the community aimed at supporting folks working in the food & beverage industry.
Keep an eye on the Fabrik calendar for upcoming gatherings in Tribeca and Dumbo. There are many aimed at supporting builders and creators.
Please note: By signing up for this event you agree to receive email communication from Letters from the Table (and from Fabrik) related to this gathering and future offerings. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Photos may be taken during the event for promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to your image being used in future marketing materials. If you have any concerns, please let us know.