There are rose petals scattered up Paris Rosina’s front path on the evening of her early autumn supper club. Inside, candles have been lit in every room and a tray of mismatched glassware awaits guests on a velvet pillow. Such gestures are typical of the chef, who wants her diners to “feel romanced”. The event is part of an ongoing series she calls “Come To My House, I’ll Make You Fat”. Tonight’s dinner is being hosted for London’s sex workers, and her guests have come to do just that.
Alex, one of the guests, and Coco the dog © Bella Howard
Two editions of Rosina’s supper club (tickets from £80) are typically hosted each month; one is reserved exclusively for sex workers, of whom there are estimated to be more than 100,000 in the UK. “I do it as an ally,” says Rosina, who by holding these events is helping to combat the stigma and shame surrounding sex work, and push the narrative that, for many people in the community, sex work can be a choice over which they have agency. The most refreshing thing about being a fly on the wall for the evening? Not once do you hear the question: “What do you do?”
“This space is just about having a nice time,” says Rosina. “It’s a closed safe space – you can talk, relax and meet up with people. It’s something nice to do.” Lower-income tickets (£40) are available, and all Rosina’s paid assistants are from the community.
