What to plan around a private-chef dinner

When a chef handles the food, the serving and the cleanup, you don’t have to plan anything else for the evening. Most of the time the dinner carries itself. But if you want to make the night special, here are a few ideas that suit a home and a chef evening.

Live music

A single musician makes a big impression. A guitarist, pianist or string player in the background lifts the mood at once, without taking attention from the conversation. Choose an ensemble that fits the room.

Speeches and toasts

On a milestone day, a short speech or a toast between courses gives the evening rhythm. Tell me in advance and I’ll time the service around the speeches, so no one is speaking halfway through the main.

A small performance or dancing

A dance performance, a magician for the children, or a shared dance to close the night all stay in the memory. These are worth agreeing on early, so the space and timing work with the flow of the evening.

Wine with a story

A wine to suit each course, and a few words about it, bring the feel of a restaurant into your home. This is part of the service: I recommend the wines and, during the evening, explain why they work.

Atmosphere does the rest

Dimmed lights, candles and quiet background music are often all it takes to make an evening special. The small things make the biggest difference, and you don’t need to fill every moment with programme.

Tell me the kind of evening you want, and we’ll plan it together.