In a city known for its impeccable food and impressive restaurants, comes an experience the whole family can enjoy - a dining club that caters to picky eaters or kids that want to try new foods. Little Diner’s Crew and Teen Diner’s Crew is for kids between the ages of four and twelve or teens that allow them to eat, travel, and explore the world through food.
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Little Diners Crew (LDC) (www.littledinerscrew.com) was created to give kids the opportunity EAT BEYOND the traditional kids menu. Both fun and educational, kids sit at their own table, taste, and rate various types of cuisine from around the world at different Chicago restaurants. During each experience they meet chefs, learn how food is prepared, and where ingredients are sourced. They kickoff each event with a mocktail toast along with reviewing appropriate dining etiquette. Parent participation is required for younger kids, making LDC a great way for families to share new food experiences.
"We're excited to introduce this new concept to kids that is truly unique and different from anything else out there,” explains D.C. Crenshaw, co-founder. “Parents actually enjoy Little Diner's Crew as much as their kids, because we select restaurants that they’ve been wanting to try and it’s like date night without hiring a sitter."
LDC has hosted over 40 events with some of the best restaurants and chefs in the city including Duck Duck Goat, ROOH, RPM Seafood, Avli Taverna, Mr. Brown’s Lounge, and Prosecco, just to name a few. Events are open to the public, however, Membership, either on an annual or monthly basis, includes perks such as a custom LDC passport, reduced event fees, and Crew Loyalty Points that can be used towards future events. The EAT ANNUAL membership is $110 per kid, but there is a 10% discount for families registering two or more kids. Annual members have to pay an additional fee to attend an experience. There are two monthly membership options. The first is the EXPLORE ALL ACCESS membership ($32.95/month per kid) and includes the cost of the meal for one event each month. The second is a $150/month FAMILY membership that includes the cost of meals for a family of four (two kids, two adults). The cost for an experience range between $36 - $46 for members. Non-members (kids) can expect to pay $10-$12 more and adults between $65 - $75 for an experience. All prices include tax and gratuity.
LDC works closely with chefs at each restaurant to curate a menu that is approachable yet adventurous for the kids. Parents typically indulge in the same menu which includes an alcoholic beverage.
Upon registration on their web site, members can peruse the LDC site for a list of dining events and view their location, date, menu, cost, and available seats for each culinary experience. You don’t have to be a member to attend an event, but LDC members enjoy reduced fees and earn Crew Loyalty Points when registering for an experience. Once the event sells out, there will be a waiting list. Should anyone need to cancel, the next member listed will receive the reservation.
A welcome kit is mailed to all new Little Diners Crew members. Each kit includes a “passport” that kids should bring and have stamped at the end of each event.
"Parents, restaurants, and chefs have witnessed Little Diners Crew to be beneficial in allowing kids to expand their palates and help parents to discover more food options for their young ones, " adds Alayna Crenshaw, co-founder. “Parents are floored to see their picky eaters try and like new foods that they didn’t think they would ever try, and chefs and restaurants are realizing that they don’t have to dumb down their menu for kids, but instead offer smaller portions from their existing menu items.”
Teen Diner’s Crew is for those foodies and non-foodies between 13-18 years old. Teens will still Eat, Travel, and Explore the world through food, but this expereince will embrace their independence and digital savviness.
What’s Different?
- Drop Off, Dine, and Dash (Parent attendance is optional)
- Digital Dish Ratings Menu
- Digital Culinary Passport
- Annual Membership Only
Although Little Diner’s Crew started in Chicago, they have received requests from parents from around the country to bring the concept to their cities. LDC recently announced that they’re launching in Aspen, Colorado this December. They also are gearing up for the launch of CrewFood, their new online food delivery platform that will allow parents to expand their kids’ palates at home. CrewFood will be the GrubHub, DoorDash, or Tock for families making it easier for parents to order in food that the entire family will love. Expect CrewFood to launch in the first quarter of 2022.
Little Diners Crew was created by food & lifestyle entrepreneur D.C. Crenshaw and wife Alayna, whose combined passion for food has enabled them to enjoy unique dining experiences from around the world. After having two kids and tiring quickly of the standard children’s menu, the Crenshaw’s decided to expose their sons to various types of cuisine early on and expand their palates. Currently ages 13 and 10, both are huge fans of Indian food and sushi among other cuisines and get super excited to try new foods.
To learn more about how to join LDC visit www.littledinerscrew.com.
