Sparks and friends decided to bring the concept to Richmond and The Underground Kitchen is exactly that: UGK members get an email a few days before tickets for the next dinner go on sale with three pieces of information: the date of the next Underground Kitchen event; the date and time when the tickets will go on-sale; and a clue about the next location.

And that’s it.

Diners don’t know where the next Underground Kitchen will be, who’s cooking or what will be served.

And Sparks said they want it that way.

“Restaurants in Richmond have to serve to the multitudes. They have a menu and they stick by that menu because of cost and things,” Sparks said. “We tell them they can do whatever they want.”

There’s no room at The Underground Kitchen dinners for food allergies or dietary preferences. There’s no ordering.

The chefs are given a per head budget, a guideline of 5-7 courses, and free reign to spend and plan from there.

Thus far, with four Underground Kitchen events under their belt, members are clamoring for tickets.