Diners eating with strangers

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Would you pay to have dinner at a complete stranger's house? Some people are. It is a new take on social media happening in the Bay Area and around the globe. Some people are calling it the "social meal".

Chef Coreen Carroll is hosting a dinner party for 12 people in her San Francisco home. But there's a twist to this meal, Coreen doesn't know the guests, and many of them don't know each other.

"I love to cook and to see people's faces when they eat my food. There is nothing better in the world," said Coreen.

San Francisco is on a growing list of cities around the world now offering home cooked meals for a price. Websites connect hungry foodies with professional chefs and home cooks.

"German is my heritage. So if there is a way for me to eat my comfort food, this is my excuse," said Coreen.

Coreen's guests found her on a site called EatWith.com. They are paying $39 for a California inspired German meal -- four courses, drinks included. We paid to check out the restaurant quality meal served up in Coreen's living room.

"Something magical happens when you spend two hours with someone around the dining table," said Guy Michlin, cofounder of Eatwith.com.

Michlin started the company in Israel two years ago then moved it to San Francisco earlier this year.

"Globally we have over 500 hosts, in 32 countries, and 160 cities and we catered in the last year or so, for a couple 10's of thousands of guests," said Michlin.

Before a home chef can get on the EatWith list, someone from the company personally visits to taste the food and inspect for cleanliness. Then the home chef sets a price for a meal. It generally covers the food, drinks, and labor cost, just like a restaurant. EatWith gets a commission for each diner.

"It's around 13-percent," said Michlin. He says business is booming, adding that "it has been increasing double digits every month."

Unlike restaurants, EatWith's developers say there are no local health codes spelling out requirements for its business. The San Francisco Health Department tells ABC7 News that may be true. The city attorney is now investigating what codes, if any, need to be enforced.

Michlin says he is willing to work with the city to define this new category of dining.

Coreen isn't worried. She says been overwhelmed by the popularity of her meals. She's hosted five so far and is planning more.

"Everybody has been really wonderful," she said. "Really outgoing, nobody has ever been shy or bashful, they jumped right in and were like, 'Let's do this.'"

Hazel Fruitman has been to three EatWith meals. She said, "We're new to San Francisco so this is a great way to meet people. The first one we went to wasn't that great to tell you the truth. The conversation was a little slow, the meal was alright, but as you keep going they get better and you meet different people."

She said she enjoyed eating with this group. So did Joel Auernheimer, who was visiting from phoenix.

Auernheimer said, "I was in town for a conference, and I was interested in talking to some locals, and having a great time over dinner, and the German meal certainly was a draw as well."

Correen says, "It has only been positive feedback, so far, so it has really been doing my ego well."

It's a new trend that is getting guests to raise their glasses to good food and great fun in the Bay Area.

Special Offer

EatWith is offering ABC7 News views a 10% discount to try EatWith.

USE DISCOUNT CODE: abcew and save 10% discount code. This offer is valid through Nov 1, 2014.

Disclaimer: This offer is made exclusively through EatWith and is not being supplied to ABC7 News in exchange for goods, services, or news coverage. ABC7 will NOT receive any compensation for reservations made.

Wri and produced by Ken Miguel