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A pop-up dinner series pairs music, flavor and feeling.
Dinner, but make it immersive. That’s the idea behind WHET (We Here, Eat Together), a local pop-up from chef Isaac Duque that pairs secret multicourse meals with curated playlists—designed to be experienced, not just eaten.
The concept is simple but unexpected: Each dish is matched to a song, creating a sensory throughline from your ears to your plate. Think bright, upbeat tracks with citrusy, high-acid bites; fast tempos with crunch and contrast; slow, soulful songs with dishes that take time, like a braise. Sometimes, Duque pulls ingredients from a song’s global influence; other times, he cooks to the feeling it evokes.
In other words, it’s less food and wine pairing, more food and feeling. Named for both the sharpening stone and the phrase “to whet your appetite,” the series reflects Duque’s dual background. A former audio producer with no formal culinary training, the Florida native started cooking for church luncheons before moving into catering. A trip to South America ultimately pushed him to launch WHET in 2024, followed by a stint at creative event space The Portal HQ.
“When [food and music] merge together, you create a whole new flavor profile,” says Duque. “Most dishes aren’t memorable because of the food itself, but because of the situation they’re attached to.” Same with music.
That philosophy has resonated. Duque has since hosted dinners with big-name artists like MF Doom and Wild Child, and hosted pop-ups at spots like The Kitchen Store and Bodega Tapas & Wine in Wake Forest—most recently teaming up with the Sassool sisters for a Latin Fusion in the Pines dinner at FigMINT Farms.
Menus lean personal and nostalgic, often pulling from his Latin roots: a Cuban lasagna-style arroz con pollo layered with ham, cheese and mayo; a Jamaican- and Haitian-inspired mac and cheese with garlic, onions and Sazón GOYA; and knishes filled with chicharrón and pork rinds.
Up next: a jazz- and hip-hop–inspired dinner on May 16 with private chef Lemar Farrington—before Duque heads to Chile for a summer stage at Boragó, one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
“I’ve always felt music and food are the two most nostalgic points within ourselves as human beings,” he muses—both “transports you to a specific time and place.”
Which is exactly the point. WHET isn’t just dinner—it’s a memory in the making. @itswhet_
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