Q&A: Why a Hollywood chef is offering nude dining

• Axios talked with Ali ahead of the July 6 dinner about why he chose nude dining and the response so far.

Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How did you come up with this idea?

As a restaurateur in this rough environment, we have to be remarkable, and remarkable means people are talking.

• The plan here is to invite groups that are interested in coming to have a good time. Nude dining is not a sexual thing at all.

What has the interest been like so far?

We're already looking to do a Tuesday evening event right after.

• There's a market for it, and people want to take their clothes off. I'm not in the lifestyle at all, not even little. I'm very, very private. Some people are not.

How many diners are you expecting?

Right now we're at 20, and we want to keep it at 20. Some people are gonna hate us after this, but more people are gonna understand that what we're doing is just we're trying to be remarkable.

• Nothing better than sitting at Billy's [Stone Crab] and saying, "Hey, did you hear what Chef Ali's pulling off?" Or five years from down the line, they say, "Oh my God, I can't believe that worked."

As far as you know, who are the people signing up?

Business people, chiropractors, people in a lifestyle of kind of doing what they want to do. A lot of married couples. Those are the people that have been booking, and they've been booking fast.

How will the experience work?

Upon arrival, we have an area set off where the guests can disrobe and put on a robe. They can sit in their robe. They can go fully nude immediately or take their time.

• We actually have these new leather seat cushions, which guests can put at the dining table or one of the lounge chairs to sit down and feel comfortable.
• It's sanitary. Everyone will get a robe, a soft towel and a seat cover.