Hi,
In the last few months, Monica Eng wrote in the Tempo section on secret restaurants in New York City. Afterwards people started to submit information to her on similar opportunities in Chicago, which she hoped would happen. She then wrote a follow up article on the secret restaurants in Chicago.
The Chicago group were chef's who work for someone else who were test driving ideas for a future restaurant. While it began by testing on friends, it then expanded to friends of friends.
I know there is someone who has been known to clear the furniture out of his living and dining rooms. Everything was treated like a restaurant except you 'paid' by donating to his favorite charities.
Regards,