McDonald’s Chef’s Table Experience Might Change How You Think About its Food

The percentage of people who think that McDonald’s is gourmet cuisine is probably very low. I don’t have the stats on that one, but…c’mon. We all know this is fast food, designed to be eaten with very little friction, and most people probably don’t think that hard about how it’s made. If they do, I’d wager the conclusions they come to aren’t exactly glowing. 

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But McDonald’s wants you to think differently. At least, it seems that way. The industry’s prime example of the stack ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap model (although a lot of people would argue that it isn’t that cheap anymore, but that’s by the by here) has just announced that it’s hosting a Chef’s Table experience, with the idea being that you – yes, you! – can get a behind-the-scenes look at the actual craft that goes into making some of its most famous items. Curious, huh? Let’s discuss.

McDonald’s Chef’s Table Experience

This week, McDonald’s has revealed that it’s offering New York customers the opportunity to sit in on “Inside The Golden Arches,” a complimentary chef’s table experience taking place on October 29 in New York, which is designed to show people how its food is actually made. “Inside the Golden Arches is about creating a new level of access and transparency for our fans,” said the restaurant’s VP of US marketing and menu strategy, Gina Hardy, in a press statement. Vice President, U.S. Marketing & Menu Strategy. “We’re excited to give fans a firsthand look at these quality ingredients and gold standard practices, helping them see what makes McDonald’s uniquely McDonald’s.”

McDonald’s is doing this in partnership with Top Chef Season 22 winner Tristen Epps-Long, who also happens to be a former McDonald’s crew member. Epps-Long will talk attendees through how items like its Quarter Pounder with Cheese are made, with guests getting a look at how it’s created, from start to finish. Other items, like its Egg McMuffin, nuggets, and fries, will also be in the spotlight. 

And How Does One Attend Such An Event?

Well, it’s first come, first served – and reservations drop today, October 22, at 1 pm ET. Visit the link here to reserve your spot. You can grab two seats per reservation, but they’ll be limited. For anyone who misses out, McDonald’s is running a Quarter Pounder with Cheese deal from November 2, through which you can get the burger, medium fries, and a drink for $8.

And…Why Is This Happening?

“Inside The Golden Arches” has come slightly out of the blue, if we’re honest – but it also arrives at a time when fast food chains are trying to gently brush up and elevate their images and menu items (see Burger King’s new Whopper for proof of this). For its own part, McDonald’s has been pushing the quality of its ingredients for a while now, and recent criticisms about its prices have, perhaps, prompted it to want to show customers that its food is worth the money they’re spending. Will it succeed in this mission? It’s hard to see that happening soon, but it sure can try.