Photo: My Modern Met
Sekai Kobayashi allows customers to work 50-minute shifts in order to earn their meal.
This story is such a good example of how diversity breeds creativity. The restaurant entrepreneur here got her ideas about a new model of eatery, an open-source eatery, from her former techy career. In the same way, having diversity in a workplace or other organization, including diversity of thought, can be a kind of power pack (as my 3-year-old granddaughter would say) for the mission.
Jessica Stewart has a report at My Modern Met, “Don’t have enough money for a hot meal? That’s not a problem if you are dining at Tokyo’s Mirai Shokudo (aka Future Eatery). Since opening its doors in 2015, owner Sekai Kobayashi has allowed customers to work 50-minute shifts in order to earn their meal at the small eatery, which seats 12 people around a small counter. Kobayashi, a former software engineer, sees the system as part of her ‘open source’ restaurant concept, where the participation of customers helps the business.
“The idea struck her while working for a recipe website, Cookpad Inc., which has an in-office kitchen that staff could use. Encouraged by her colleagues’ compliments, she decided to leave behind her work as an engineer and open her own restaurant. Now, in a little over two years, more than 500 helpers have worked with Kobayashi — who runs Mirai Shokudo by herself — and earned a meal by doing so.
“Ranging from university students looking to save money to a former teacher in her mid-50s hoping to move into the food industry, there’s always someone new in the kitchen. And for Kobayashi, this is part of the joy.
‘I use this system because I want to connect with hungry people who otherwise couldn’t eat at restaurants because they don’t have money.’
“This desire to give back doesn’t just end with a free meal. The former engineer takes things a step further, even sharing the finances of her restaurant with the public, … she shared with China Daily.
“ ‘I posted the restaurant’s business plan and finances on its website so I can collect input from the public on how to make improvements.’ Not only does it help her, but it also serves as a resource for others who may be interested in opening their own restaurant.” More here.
Hat tip: Boston Public Radio with Jim Braude and Margery Eagan, a show I really enjoy. It airs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
My grandparents did something similar to this years ago ,when hobos used to come around. they Owned a farm ,so there was always something to be done.
That’s so great. Most people appreciate the dignity of being able to do some work rather than beg — being able to “sing for their supper.”
I love the concept of this restaurant! Working together with other people on a project is usually my favorite way to spend time with someone — whether a cousin or a co-worker or a total stranger. I also find it somewhat uncanny that you mention Jim Braude. I have recently begun listening to a radio show he does on WGBH with Andy Rooney’s daughter Emily Rooney which is often very enlightening. Or maybe it’s been with Margery Eagan and I am totally confused? Or maybe Ms. Rooney has been subbing recently for Emily Rooney? What I particularly appreciate is that they take their time when they chat with their various experts about the news (both local and national) of the day and rarely say “what would you like to add in our last 30 seconds…” which seems to happen all the time on WBUR’s afternoon news programming.
I first became aware of Margery on Emily Rooney’s TV show a few years ago. It was curious to me that she wrote for the Boston Herald. She certainly retained her own character. When I learned she and Jim Braude were given a radio show, I wanted to check it out. And It’s fun to “watch” the radio show on the days that they use the Boston Public Library’s studio. Jim also has a TV talk show on WGBH.
It’a all very humane, I think, including what Deb said about her grandparents. As you say, there’s a preserving of dignity. I’d like to take a turn working at this restaurant, just to be part of something good!
Exactly. No need to be too poor to pay. Anyone can work there.
Wow! This is an awesome concept! Thank you for sharing! Loved reading this post, things like this can make all the difference.
Since the visiting workers are not trained, I imagine they are given fairly simple tasks like mopping the floor. But that at least frees up the chef.
There´s always a lot of this kind of work to do in a restaurant, like washing the dishes, it will definitely free up the chef!