Seen two years ago for the first time, the concept for The Longest Table grew out of the pandemic era’s yearn to connect with people in a setting other than Zoom. Its premise was simple: Fill a crosstown block (W. 21st St. btw. 9th & 10th Aves.) with one very long table populated by friends and strangers brought together by the simple acts of breaking bread and sharing stories. Attendance was robust, and the response was over-the-moon positive. Last year, the event returned and proved its good mood mojo was no mere fluke.

Now comes word from organizers that The Longest Table will be back on October 6–and if history repeats, we may well be looking at an annual event with real legs (lots and lots of them… because, you know, a table has legs, and that table is looooooong). For details, click here to visit The Longest Table website–and to view Chelsea Community News’ coverage of the event in years past, click here and click here.

We recenltly checked in with The Longest Table leadership, via email. The result was the Q&A to be found directly below.

Scott Stiffler, for Chelsea Community News (CCNews): Year #1 showed the concept worked. Year #2 proved it was no mere fluke. Does this third consecutive year cement it as a new annual event?

Maryam Banikarim, for The Longest Table (Maryam): YES, and we’re seeing the movement take hold not just in NYC, but across the US, and even internationally. We receive multiple inbound requests for our toolkit every week. Cloverdale, CA has already hosted two Longest Tables. Kansas City and Oklahoma City are hosting theirs in the next couple weeks. An eighth grader in Missouri reached out with her mom for guidance on doing one for her whole grade. And Paris is hosting theirs on September 22.

CCNews: What, exactly, is involved in hosting a table?

Maryam: Contact us at longesttablenyc.com and let us know you are interested in hosting a table. Then RSVP on Eventbrite to hold your spot. Have those that will be with you do the same. Then coordinate amongst your group to bring the food of your choosing (+ don’t forget plates etc). On the day of, table hosts are asked to arrive 30 minutes early to secure a table. Once you have your table number, you can text it to your guests to easily find you. Get ready to connect and have fun.

CCNews: I want to attend, but I can’t commit to hosting a table, and I don’t know anybody else doing so. So how do I find a place—at the Table?

Maryam: The Longest Table is designed to be on the street, where everyone is welcome. To ensure that those that come solo or as twos, and threes feel welcome we have hosts who will incorporate them into the larger table. We use Eventbrite to coordinate guests – and this year we’ve filled up quickly. The only thing that limits us, is the number of tables and chairs that fit the length of West 21st Street from 9th to 10th Aves.

CCNews: What are the range of duties asked of your volunteers (before, during, and after the event)?

Maryam: Volunteering is an important part of this event. Dozens of people get involved in all sorts of ways. We think volunteering makes people feel real ownership so it’s the neighborhood’s event—not one or two people’s event. There are volunteer organizing committees such as production and marketing; and many people help out the day of the event either setting up, greeting and signing guests in, hosting a group at the table, or cleaning up.

CCNews: The food differs greatly from table to table; a mix of homemade and purchased. In years past, a few local shops kept coming up when the topic turned to store-bought food, drink, dining ware, etc. Not asking for an official endorsement, but what are some of the area destinations whose stuff keeps finding its way to your very long table?

Maryam: We have great restaurants in Chelsea and all over NYC. Many participants cook and bake. Others order: from local favorites (Don Giovannis, L&M Deli, La Bergamote, and Daily Provisions) to meals from favorite spots like Melba’s in Harlem.

CCNews: Besides comfort food and awesome desserts, what is there to engage, tame, and unleash The Longest Table’s youngest attendees? (Organized activities? Ad hoc actions? Chalk-based fun?)

Maryam: There will be a children’s corner again with chalk and games for parents to gather and kids to play. Other than that, we found that meeting neighbors and enjoying a meal has been enough. It’s a refreshing reminder that no agenda can be the best agenda.

CCNews: This past summer saw practically the whole West 400 block bursting with Pride-themed bunting, from June 1’s decorating party through the month’s end. Many Longest Table organizers/volunteers were involved with that, right? How was it received by the community, and are there plans to bring it back next year? To expand its reach past the block?

Maryam: When neighbors connect, great things happen. Finding others who care and act is how we’ve now hosted stoop concerts, stoop operas, organized pride buntings and more.

CCNews: Thanks for your time and please use this space to talk about anything you like that wasn’t covered by the above questions…

Maryam: We have BIG ambitions, including hosting the Longest Table across the Brooklyn Bridge. Of course we are going to keep doing Chelsea, and inspire tables in other cities as we figure how to make our dream a reality.

ChelseaCommunityNews.com (CCNews) is an independent, single-owner online newspaper providing news, arts, events, and opinion content to Manhattan’s Chelsea community and its adjacent areas (Flatiron/NoMad and Meatpacking Districts, Hudson Yards, Hell’s Kitchen, Broadway/Times Square, and the Penn Station area).  Our editorial content is made possible by advertising revenue, grants, quarterly pledges of support, and voluntary reader donations (click here for our GoFundMe campaign). To join our subscriber list, click here to receive ENewsletters containing links to recently published content–as well as an occasional “Sponsored Content” email featuring an advertiser’s exclusive message. 

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