With the onset of the Corona virus, and all the restrictions that have been passed in its wake, our options in entertaining has been severely minimised
Today, should you wish to host a special celebration (given that the date of such celebration will be after level 2 at least) you have limited choices. And each choice comes with its own requirements and restrictions. Our best option and suggestion: host it in your own home.
Booking a private chef is the new going out.
For many years, having a private chef was the privilege of the wealthy. Then Corona came along as the great equaliser. What was once destined for the high and mighty is now the go-to for the ordinary. Going out has become socially frowned upon, somewhat risky and above all else, expensive.
By opening your home up and hiring a private chef, whether for a romantic dinner for two or a family get-together, even a bigger celebration like a milestone birthday, baby shower or a wedding, you can have the restaurant experience in the comfort of your own home.
Not only will this save you on the bill (yes, we can help you get away with a more affordable menu option), but you will also save on gratuity and exaggerated bar prices (if you are lucky enough to still have wine, then at least in your home you are allowed to drink it with your meal!). Furthermore you get the piece of mind of knowing with whom you are sharing the meal, helping to keep you and your family save.
Hiring a private chef for that special occasion means entrusting the celebration into the hands of a professional. The chef will do the menu planning, all the sourcing, the cooking, serving, as well as the kitchen cleaning afterwards. You get to enjoy a restaurant quality meal, while enjoying your time with your loved ones. And afterwards, you do not have far to go to get into your bed.
Doesn’t that sound like a winning deal?
Should that sound like a great plan, here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning a function with a private chef, now in the time of Corona:
- Have more than one date, and confirm whether the chef will be flexible enough to move to a different date should the restrictions become stricter or even change.
- Confirm whether you will be able to move your deposit to secure another date should the above be the case.
- Give the chef all the info necessary to plan a delectable meal. If you have allergies or intolerances, or simply do not like certain things, tell them upfront.
- Be honest about your budget. Do not say something like “I don’t know what these things cost, so just do a quote and then we can take it from there”. It takes time to work out menus and to do the costing, just so you can shoot us down because the price was too high. Be upfront so that we do not waste each other’s time – time is, after all, money.
- Be honest about your and your guests’ status – if anybody has tested positive, please communicate that so that the chef can ensure his/her own safety, as well as the safety of their employees and own loved ones.
What would the chef need in order to give you the best service?
- Budget
- Timeline – what time will your guests arrive, what time would you like the individual courses to be served
- Facilities and equipment – do you have a stove, oven, fridge, freezer, work surfaces
- Do you have enough cutlery and crockery
- Is it an open plan kitchen, and will the guests have access to the kitchen
The chef might have other specific questions, but these ones are the most common, and in our opinion some of the most important.
If you are considering hosting a special celebration, we highly recommend getting a private chef. And of course, we are available should you need a quote from us 🙂
