After5NewYork - The Economics of Eating Out : Where Your Money Really Goes

How restaurants price your meal, where your money really goes, and the hidden economics behind eating out.
About this Event

A Conversation on Food, Business, and What We Really Pay For

Join a chef and culinary entrepreneur forThe Economics of Eating Out: Where Your Money Really Goes, an engaging exploration of what goes into the cost of a meal and the many factors that shape the price of eating at a restaurant. Together, we'll look beyond the menu and explore how ingredients, labor, technique, creativity, and the restaurant experience come together to determine what we pay for a plate of food.

What We'll Cover:

• What goes into the price of a meal - Explore the many factors behind restaurant pricing and why the cost of a dish extends far beyond its ingredients.

• The business behind the kitchen - Discover how chefs balance creativity, quality, labor, and the realities of running a restaurant.

• From fine dining to comfort food - Examine how different culinary approaches, techniques, and concepts shape the food we eat and the experiences we value.

Whether you're a food lover, aspiring chef, curious diner, or simply someone who has wondered why your favorite meal costs what it does, you'll leave with a new appreciation for the people, decisions, and craft behind every plate.

Don't miss this chance to connect with your After5Society.

About The Speaker:

Eric P. Huang is a chef and culinary entrepreneur whose career spans some of New York City's most acclaimed kitchens, including Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, and Café Boulud. He is the founder of Pecking House, a Brooklyn based concept celebrating bold, approachable flavors. Eric trained at The Culinary Institute of America, earning an A.O.S. in Culinary Arts, and brings a perspective shaped by both fine dining and comfort food. Through his work, he explores how culture, technique, creativity, and flavor shape the way we eat.

Good to know before you come:

• Exact bar location will be disclosed in your confirmation email

• Arrive early to grab a drink and get settled

• The speaker portion lasts 1 hour, with optional time to stay and socialize afterward

• This is a participatory event

• Seating is limited to keep the experience intimate

Agenda

🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Doors Open & Drinks Flow

Info: Arrive early to grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the atmosphere. Early birds get the best seats and a head start on mingling!

🕑: 07:00 PM - 07:45 PM
Guided Experience / Talk

Info: Dive into an engaging, interactive session with our speaker. Participate, observe, or simply soak it all in — it’s your experience to enjoy.

🕑: 07:45 PM - 08:00 PM
Q&A / Reflection

Info: Ask questions, share insights, or hear behind-the-scenes stories from the host in a casual discussion.

🕑: 08:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Social Time & Connection

Info: Stick around to chat with fellow attendees, swap ideas, or just relax with a drink. Great conversations often happen after the main event!