For many people, dinner is not just one of the meals of the day or a simple act of nourishment but rather a moment of connection and spirituality, an energetic channel bringing people together where the diners' minds connect in a network. Thus, dinner is perhaps the most sophisticated and elegant form of communion.
The term "dinner" is of Latin origin. For the Romans, dinner was a central moment of social and family life, suitable for paying homage to the gods. Through his mastery, Leonardo da Vinci transformed the sacred moment of Jesus' last meal with his disciples into an invaluable work of art: The Last Supper.
Recently, there has been increasing talk about the concept of the olfactory dinner. It is known that certain smells can stimulate the mood towards openness to socializing and energization. Studies have shown that the olfactory sense plays a dominant role in a person's perception and enjoyment of the taste of food and drink. Thus, solutions have been developed to enhance gastronomic experiences through olfactory input. This gave birth to the concept of the olfactory dinner, where ingredients used in perfumery complement the carefully chosen dishes prepared by the chef.
The olfactory dinner is designed to explore the deep connection between smell and flavor since 80% of what we perceive as taste is actually derived from our olfactory sense. Initially, Parisian chefs experimented with perfumes and flavors, combining, for example, ice cream with ylang-ylang, a flower whose essence is used by famous perfume houses. It is known that flowers accompany situations and moods and follow them. Through them, emotion and new possibilities of expression are created.
Chandler Burr was the first to invent the concept of the olfactory dinner, which refers to stimulating the sense of smell primarily, being a combination of exquisite culinary preparations and gourmet perfumes. At such an event, the smell is what matters and plays the most important role. In the restaurant/room where an olfactory dinner takes place, besides the scents that constantly tempt the senses, even the chefs have the role of describing the food they prepare from an olfactory point of view. In such places, the concept of "edible perfume" is encountered, and the opportunity to taste something like beetroot with rose, for example.
At an olfactory dinner, the perfect smell is sought, which, with its simplicity, seasons the cooked/served dishes with emotion and creates the desirable combination of visual-olfactory-gustatory.
Studies indicate that choosing a balanced food scent can help guests make much more prudent decisions, avoiding unconscious decisions to eat more than necessary due to the food cues surrounding them.
Scented candles contribute to a complete atmosphere with their gentle and calm aspect, relaxing and opening the senses regardless of the type of dinner and the guests invited to the table. Dinner is essentially a setting of senses emboldened by the fine warmth of scented candles. Depending on the type of dinner organized and what you want to convey, the perfumes that fit perfectly are chosen. For "odorizing" the dinner, you can choose the perfume that best expresses your personality.
Therefore, an olfactory dinner is a special culinary experience where aromas and perfumes are very important alongside the taste of the food. The perfume associations are not accidental. Each one is carefully selected to complement and enhance the dish's aroma. The smell must be "matched" with the food and the visual aspect to achieve the perfect visual-olfactory-gustatory combination. A well-chosen smell can elevate a dish from memorable to an unforgettable level. Thus, the olfactory dinner can be a social act with cultural reverberations and aesthetic and mental benefits.
Notorious Stories Club is a special invitation to connect with the world of niche perfumery and discover the message that the perfume conveys in its infinite variations, even at events like olfactory dinners.
The olfactory dinners organized by Notorious Stories Club involve an exclusive circle and a delightful setting where culinary art blends with perfumery art. Participants are invited to savor a selection of dishes and drinks associated with distinct aromas and perfumes. The aromas in gastronomy and those in perfumes can be chosen to complement each other or to create an interesting contrast. For example, a dessert can be served together with a perfume with fresh notes to add a new and surprising dimension to the culinary experience.
Collaborating with prestigious niche perfume houses, Notorious Stories has always offered small samples of perfume at its events for guests to explore as an immersion into the aromatic elements of the meal. For example, vanilla notes in perfume are meant to highlight the delicate sweet aromas of the dessert, creating a symphony of taste and aroma.
In addition to organizing its events, Notorious Stories offers consultation and guidance for other event organizers who opt for an olfactory theme, specifically in choosing the appropriate theme for the olfactory dinner, building the concept, menu selection, and promotion on social media. Everything can be adapted to the clients' requirements. Themes can vary from mono-ingredients and dishes associated with perfumes/ingredients in perfumery to dinners/events inspired by the themes and leitmotifs of perfume collections.
Through olfactory dinners, Notorious Stories encourages organizing unique gastronomic experiences for your guests, where the art of perfume meets the science of taste. On those special evenings, in an exceptional atmosphere, you will experience multisensory olfactory dinners – an intersection of perfume and refined gastronomy where chefs play with natural essential oils, edible perfumes, and essences.
Exquisite floral arrangements will harmoniously complete the table's scenography and the space's atmosphere with color and freshness, stimulating the general state through visual, olfactory, and tactile elements.
Each Notorious Stories event is like a creative workshop that surprises every time and can include what is called a perfume bar – probably the most elegant way to surprise. The perfume bar is a concept originating in London and Paris. It can be realized with a single niche perfume brand or a mix, offering participants the opportunity to discover the perfume that suits them (through a personalized consultation session where they receive information on how to choose their perfume), to discuss niche perfumery, or what they should know when giving a perfume as a gift.
Notorious Stories invites you to participate in the themed olfactory events, this exclusive club organizes and encourages you to experience enjoying unique moments and surprises, where quality is always present.
We are going to launch soon the next olfactory dinner. Stay tuned to be amazed!
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