The current recession has spawned an increase in the underground restaurant phenomenon. These supper clubs have been established by foodies disillusioned with their over priced and over hyped high street counterparts. They are fighting the recession. Using their skills and knowledge to open their own kitchens to paying customers. Converting living rooms, conservatories and the like into intimate dinning areas, often serving the best of local produce. Many indeed offer the ultimate dining experience as they transform their own homes into a functioning restaurant. 
Intimate and attentive service, exceptional product knowledge and quality ingredients prepared to order are always the aim. These alternative venues could indeed be the best way to sample some of the worlds lesser served cuisines such as Moroccan, Slovakian or Vietnamese. Local produce is abundant. Cheeses, herbs, meats seafood and in season vegetables are always preferred with local farmers markets frequently used. Supporting this new trend Virgin1 has recently launched a free user friendly map, so allowing foodies and producers to become directly involved with this recent and growing restaurant revolution. This practical and interactive map offers a quick and simple way for existing or prospective restaurateurs, diners, producers and retailers to contact each other. You can easily discover what is available in your own area. Allotment owners, jam and pickle makers, beekeepers, small farmers, service providers, etc are all able to promote themselves. As is the increasing army of amateur chefs. As part of the foodie trend Virgin 1 have also launched its own user map, where online food lovers and produce sellers can actually get involved with the 'pop-
up' restaurant trend themselves. So following on from this new trend is 'Restaurant In Our Living Room' a new foodie series broadcast on Virgin 1, each week we will see couples going head-to-head to create the ultimate dining experience in their own homes. They have a strict budget and only three days to transform their home into a fully-functioning restaurant. This is dining out with a difference. Guests will pay only what they think the meal is worth, with the winning couple being decided by the income generated. This new series is inspired by the growing trend for underground restaurants and supper clubs, venues where disillusioned foodies fed up with over-priced and over hyped restaurants, are fighting the recession by opening their kitchens to paying customers. Even
celebrities are tucking in. Viewers will see everything from themed nights to seven course gastronomy. Everthing is at stake as guests take account of service, entertainment and restaurant design when paying their bill. Was the food more greasy spoon than Michelin star? The service closer to Fawlty Towers than Oxo Tower? The diners to decide. When service closes the two couples meet to share their experiences. Once the takings have been counted the winning restaurant and ultimate foodie prize is revealed – a meal anywhere in the world at one of the globe’s finest restaurants.