IKEA pop-up diner launches, turning guests into DIY diners

IKEA have found a way to combine both your love of Swedish design and hands-on entertaining in one novel pop-up concept. 

Your favourite furniture giant IKEA made their highly-anticipated foray into fine-dining in East London over the weekend with the launch of The Dining Club, a unique new dining concept that is oh-so IKEA. 

While the food is a far cry from the Swedish meatballs and packet mash we're used to, it's no surprise that the concept has proven as hands on as a post-IKEA build (though thankfully not an Allen key in sight).

Open from September 10-25 at their Shoreditch showroom, The Dining Club is basically a DIY restaurant where you become the chef (under the supervision of an expert) and get to orchestrate your own IKEA-filled brunch, lunch or dinner party for up to 19 of your friends and family—a novel idea for locals who perhaps don't have the space or time to host at home.

However, the pop-up will only be hosting 38 sessions during their tenure, and thousands of wannabe entertainers and novice cooks have already applied for a spot via their official IKEA The Dining Club website. If you're in London around the time of the pop-up you can still submit an application before September 17, 2016.

During the application process, prospective diners are asked which three people they would invite for a meal and why.

The Dining Club is also featuring an IKEA café with your favourite Swedish delicacies, daily workshops, presentations on cooking and styling, food waste, gardening and much more.

The first round of successful applicants tried out the dining concept over the weekend, watch the IKEA video above to see how it works. No word yet on whether Australia will be getting its own version of The Dining Club, but we'll definitely be signing up if it does come Down Under.