Supper surfing

Three families enjoy dinner in a Silver Lake home -- from left, Melissa Vergara, Marissa Engel, Engel’s son Mars Dixon, Eric Dixon, Carla Choy, Billy Czyzyk, and Keith Patterson. Marissa Engel of Hollywood wants to live in a more connected world. In a concept she calls supper surfing, she arranges for strangers to have dinner with strangers and perhaps start up friendships while breaking bread. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

March 24, 2014 7:34 PM PT

Marissa Engel came up with the idea as a way for people in a large, diverse city like L.A. to meet. Supper surfing’s goal: Bring strangers together over food. See full story

Melissa Vergara, left, helps out Carla Choy in the kitchen during the dinner party. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Carla Choy prepares food for a dinner party in her Silver Lake home. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Carla Choy grabs items out of the refrigerator as she prepares food for a dinner party. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Melissa Vergara, right, and Carla Choy work in the kitchen. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Melissa Vergara prepares flowers for the dinner party. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

From left: Melissa Vergara, Carla Choy, Marissa Engel, Mars Dixon and Eric Dixon meet at the dinner party in Silver Lake. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)