Hosting an Event Doesn't Have to Mean Missing Out On All The Fun
Vicky was planning a rehearsal dinner for her son’s upcoming wedding. She wanted a variety of finger foods for about forty guests. Vicky’s son and future daughter-in-law are both vegan, and Vicky was concerned about whether I’d be able to accommodate their vegan diet while pleasing the large number of guests who are not vegan. Vicky’s son also really loves falafels, and though they’re not on my menu, she was wondering if I could make them. Not only did I happily make the falafels, but I also guided Vicky through my menu and was able to suggest some ingredient substitutions to make certain items vegan without anyone even realizing it. I think it all went very well, but this is what Vicky had to say:
“Hi Ben,
Just had to send you a note to thank you for the great evening. People are still talking about how great the food was and the service… We are definitely recommending you to everyone we know!
Thanks again,
Vicky”
Amanda and her husband, Bert, are an American couple who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Mahone Bay. It was their first time in Nova Scotia, and they were looking for a “… quiet, special dinner…” Amanda had looked over my menu and chose a number of dishes, but I felt as though there was going to be too much food. I was able to consult with Amanda and make a few alterations to the menu items to ensure that she and Bert got to enjoy all the flavours they wanted from my menu, but without having more food than they needed. Here is what Amanda had to say about her evening:
“Chef Ben prepared a private dinner for our 25th wedding anniversary. This was our gift to each other and was definitely one of the most special things we have ever done. The entire experience with Chef Ben was perfect – from planning, communication, the meal itself, etc. I wish I could give this review 10 stars! Thanks so much Chef Ben!”
Eric is the owner of a local small business and was planning a work Christmas party for about twenty people. He had found me on Google and pretty much knew exactly what he wanted right away. However, not long before his event, Eric found out that a few of the guests had allergies he was unaware of. One of the guests was allergic to mushrooms, and another was allergic to dairy. I omitted mushrooms from all the recipes, but, it was an Italian Family-Style menu so there was a lot of cheese in the dishes. I was able to substitute the dessert for another Italian dessert that naturally didn’t have dairy in it, and I made dairy-free pesto and meatballs just for the person with the allergy, allowing them to enjoy the same food as everyone else. Here is what Eric had to say:
“Chef Ben’s services were everything that we expected and more. He rolled up with the ingredients and equipment, cooked a fabulous meal, and left the kitchen spotless. He even took the garbage with him!
We chose the Italian family-style dinner, which was great. He accommodated two food allergies and was very responsive to emails leading up to the event. Great experience from start to finish.”
Planning an event is hard. Especially when the event is something as special as a wedding rehearsal, a 25th wedding anniversary, or even a work party, it is never going to be easy, but when you hire me, I’ll make it as easy as possible. I’ll work with you to ensure that the food and the service are exactly what you want them to be.
I provide a stress-free private chef service for in-home catering, with comprehensive menus customizable for dietary restrictions, preferences, and allergies. With almost two and a half decades of food service experience, including seven years as a private chef, hiring me ensures that you get to enjoy your evening just as much as your guests.
Take the stress out of your event.
Stress-Free In-Home Catering
Extensive private chef menus, a simple booking process, and clear professional communication ensure a stress-free in-home catering experience.
More Time With Your Guests
I do the shopping, cooking, serving and cleaning so you get to spend time actually enjoying your evening and your guests.
Piece of Mind
Expect reliability and adaptability with professional service backed by over 24 years of experience and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Reviews
Ben did an outstanding job cooking for my wedding. He made tons of food, it was all absolutely delicious, there were lots of tasty leftovers for the morning after, he was approachable and accommodating when it came to dietary preferences and restrictions, and to be perfectly fair, I didn’t give him very much time to put everything together.
Have confidence that he’ll do a fantastic job.
Christopher C
I was planning to host a dinner party for family coming from out of town. I wanted to try something different that included me not in the kitchen the whole time. I had been following Chef Ben on Insta so I reached out. Ben was fantastic to work with and I would definitely recommend him. I asked for a Greek menu and wow, did he deliver. Having a private chef at a dinner party is a cool experience for your guests too. They can ask questions and watch the courses being prepared. Hands down it was such an awesome time! Thank you Ben, can’t wait for our next foodventure!!
Destiney L
Simply put, Ben delivered a top shelf dinner party experience for 10 of us in our home. Ben was professional, helpful in detailing everything he’d do and what dishes we’d need to ensure we had, and made the night memorable with a four course meal that was TO DIE FOR! Stop thinking about hiring Ben for your dinner; just do it!!
Mario A
Exclusively 5-star reviews on Google, Facebook, and yelp.
What you can Expect
- Easy Booking Process – Booking your event is as straightforward as sending an email, making the process hassle-free.
- Benefit of Experience – With over 24 years of professional cooking experience and expertise as a private chef since 2017, quality and satisfaction are guaranteed.
- Punctuality – Expect me to arrive on time or up to ten minutes early, with the food served precisely when you desire.
- Professionalism – Every client interaction and event is approached with the highest level of professionalism.
- Discretion Guaranteed – When you invite me into your home, your privacy is my top priority. Rest assured, I uphold the strictest standards of confidentiality. I never discuss clients or capture any photographs without explicit permission. Your trust is sacred to me, ensuring a private dining experience that’s as secure as it is enjoyable.
- Streamlined Menu Selection – Select from diverse options, including plated dinners, family-style meals, buffets, and finger foods to suit any event.
- Custom Menus – Looking for something unique? Let’s collaborate to design a custom menu that perfectly matches your event’s theme and your culinary desires.*
- Allergies and Dietary Considerations – Menus and recipes are adaptable to meet all dietary needs and restrictions, ensuring every guest enjoys a delicious, worry-free meal.
- Flexibility – I understand that plans can change. I’m flexible to accommodate last-minute adjustments, including additional guests, whenever possible.
- 100% Money Back Guarantee – Hire me with confidence. If there’s an issue I can’t resolve, you’ll receive a full refund.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dinner cost?
The price of a meal depends on many factors, including how many people are eating, the specific menu items, and where you are located. On average, a three-course meal costs between $100 and $175 per person plus tax.
How long does a dinner take?
A typical three-course meal for eight to twelve people will take about four hours—two hours of preparation, one hour of eating, and one hour of clean-up. Cocktail parties generally take about six hours in total.
Do you travel outside Halifax?
The simple answer is yes. I travel all over Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and beyond. I charge a per-hour fee for every hour I have to travel in each direction. I also charge for accommodations if I have to travel more than four hours in each direction.
I am based out of Dartmouth and River Bourgeois, Cape Breton.
Do I have the right pots and pans?
No need to worry. I bring all my own pots and pans. I bring literally everything I need except the table setting and stove.
Do I need to make room in my fridge?
I will require some fridge space for certain desserts but will let you know ahead of time.
What time is the meal served?
The time you eat is entirely up to you. Generally, people like to eat between six and seven pm. I require two to three hours (depending on the menu) of preparation before serving the food. So, I will typically arrive at four or five if you’d like to eat at seven.
Does everyone order the same thing?
Since every dish is freshly prepared in your kitchen, I generally recommend a uniform menu for all guests to ensure the highest quality and efficiency. However, I recognize the need for flexibility. I’m more than willing to modify nearly any menu item to cater to allergies or dietary restrictions. For events requiring varied main courses, I suggest keeping side dishes consistent across all plates to streamline service while accommodating diverse tastes.
Do I have to order a soup, salad, appetizer, main course and dessert?
Simply put, no. Most people order a three or four-course meal, but you can order whatever you’d like.
Is my kitchen big enough?
Whatever sized kitchen you have will be fine. As long as it is clean and tidy, and your oven works, I can make it work.
What do I need to provide?
All you need to provide is a clean and tidy kitchen and table settings. I’ll provide everything else.
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