Laurel Chiten

I am an award winning independent filmmaker and made films for over 30 years. (Blind Dog Films) I am also a foodie. I lived in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

One summer day in 2019, I walked into a restaurant around the corner from me, and I had a vision of people in my neighborhood sitting around a table eating together.

That was it! The idea of Dinner Mates was born! I dropped my film career, made an 180 degree turn to make this dream come to life.

I made films because I wanted to move people, to create impact and bring audiences together over a topic or an issue and get them talking with one another.

I bring that same passion and sensibility to Dinner Mates– I created Dinner Mates to bring people together, to make a difference in our personal lives, and our world. When the pandemic hit, I pivoted AGAIN, to virtual events, creating a local and global community.

Our mission is still the same: Break Bread, Make Friends, Build Community.

One meal at a time.

laurel@dinnermatesclub.com