The Current Mark Bittman's $15 fine dining experiment
Dec 12, 2025
Mark Bittman, renowned food writer and author, shares insights from his innovative dining experiment where meals cost as little as $15. He discusses the challenges of creating a fine dining experience that prioritizes health, local sourcing, and fair wages. The sliding-scale pricing model allows diners to self-select their payment, promoting inclusivity. Bittman also highlights the menu's standout dishes, the impactful lessons learned from Brazil’s affordable dining model, and the emotional journey as Community Kitchen approaches its final service.
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Nonprofit Model To Prioritize Good Food
- Mark Bittman built Community Kitchen to demonstrate that high-quality, locally sourced food can be made available to everyone.
- He framed the project as removing profit to prioritize food quality, worker pay, and accessibility.
Use Sliding Scale With An Honor System
- Use a sliding-scale and honor system to balance access and dignity without policing incomes.
- Offer the same menu at multiple price points and trust customers to self-select honestly.
Outreach Quickly Changed Who Came
- Early service skewed toward well-heeled patrons until they hired a community relations person and actively reached out.
- Within weeks the restaurant's character changed and became more representative of the neighborhood.
