Insect-only restaurant brings bugs to the dinner table

A burger made with a blend of toasted crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, spinach, and sundried tomato, followed by a vanilla mealworm panacotta with an autumn fruit compote. Sound appetizing?

If you were to offer up this dish to random passersby, chances are you’d be greeted with a blunt “No, thanks” followed by a staunch look of confusion on their face.

Chef Andy Holcroft is trying to change our perception of bugs on the dinner plate with these insect-infused culinary dishes.

Holcroft opened Grub Kitchen a little over three weeks ago in St. Davids in Pembrokeshire, Wales. His menu was riddled with various bug-based dishes ready to surprise one’s palette.

The practice of eating insects is known as entomophagy, and Holcroft says he wants to transform this novelty into a legitimate source of protein for everyday folk.

(Grub Kitchen Instagram: Sago worm, cricket and locust Pad Thai curry)

“Grub Kitchen was inspired by the need to change our views on where our protein comes from,” Holcroft told Mashable,

“We are not saying not to eat meat, but eat meat less. We do not need meat with every meal, every day. This is putting a huge strain on our already oversubscribed agricultural industry.”

(Grub Kitchen’s Instagram: toasted cumin mealworm tarka dahl)

Since opening, locals have been responding positively, with Grub Kitchen’s signature burger (mentioned above) being their biggest hit.

“People are realizing that as soon as you get your mind around the fact that you’re eating bugs, they are delicious, exciting and healthy,” Holcroft told Mashable.

Many of the insects are imported from Canada and the Netherlands, since current UK laws do not support the breeding of insects for consumption, according to the BBC.