‘The Restaurant of Order Mistakes’ Only Staffs Waiters with Dementia, So Every Order is a Surprise

waiters dementia tokyo

Worldwide, dementia affects 47.5 million people with 9.9 million new cases each year. Recently, a pop-up restaurant in Tokyo spent 3 days in operation, changing the public's perception of those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's. The Restaurant of Order Mistakes, which was open in early June, was staffed by sufferers of these disorders.

Six smiling waitresses took orders and served food to customers, who came in knowing they may not get what they asked for. Each waitress suffers either from dementia or Alzheimer's, hence the name of the restaurant. One waitress, who used to work in a school, decided to participate since she was used to cooking for children and thought she could do it. But, of course, the day was not without mistakes.

Mizuho Kudo, a customer during the event, tweeted that while she ordered a hamburger, gyoza dumplings came out of the kitchen instead. But, she noted, it was all fun and smiles, the meal enjoyed nonetheless. The concept was developed by like-minded executives from television, advertising, and the restaurant industry. It's a non-profit venture for them, with the cooking done by professionals, to show that people with dementia or Alzheimer's are still capable of more than we think.

After this initial success, the organizers are planning on organizing another event for World Alzheimer's Day on September 21.

The pop-up restaurant hired six waitresses suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's to take orders and serve customers.

alzheimer's active life

waiters dementia tokyo

Customers were asked to write down their own orders, but they didn't stop some mistakes from occurring, though everyone took it in stride.

restaurant staffed by alzheimer's patients

restaurant staffed by alzheimer's patients

Food blogger Mizuho Kudo, who tweeted the event, noted that the waitstaff seemed to be having a ball, even if they mixed up some orders.

waiters dementia tokyo

waiters dementia tokyo

The Restaurant of Order Mistakes had a kitchen staff by professionals and was the brainchild of a like-minded staff of executives who wish to prove that sufferers of these illnesses can still thrive.

alzheimer's active life

alzheimer's active life

h/t: [Spoon & Tamago, Yahoo! Japan]

All images via Yahoo! Japan except where noted.

Related Articles:

Designer Develops Alzheimer’s-Friendly Tableware Thanks to Inspiration from Her Late Grandmother

Granddaughter Captures Beautiful Bond Between Her Grandpa and His Cat

Mom Reinvents Grocery Cart to Help Those with Special Needs Participate in Shopping

Assisted Living Facility and Animal Shelter Team Up to Save Orphaned Newborn Kittens

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content