PLANNING YOUR EVENT
Customers have used Haute Chefs for a variety of events including: |
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START PLANNING YOUR EVENT HERE
Planning a party can be stressful, and planning something that engages other peoples attention can sometimes be unpredictable. With Haute Chefs, we help to assist you with a stress-free event. A more relaxed "at-home" experience that is both fun and adventurous, and leaves your guests talking about it for long afterwards.
Our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive, all-inclusive event package which begins and ends with our professional expertise.
WHAT TO EXPECT
At the initial "consultation" our experienced coordinators will take an assessment of your usable kitchen space, your inventory of appliances, utensils, serving items spices and condiments. From there we build a unique and customized menu of dishes which are tailored to your specific taste, and those of your guests as well.
Most of our clients already have an idea of the type of items they have always dreamed of preparing themselves, so don't worry if it's all over the board. If you want to learn a pasta dish with a perfect red-sauce, combined with Southern Fried Chicken & Escargot with a Chocolate Souffle' desert, then that is precisely what you will receive. We do try to assist you in combining flavors and menu items which are seasonal and fresh, however how you choose to combine your menu, is your decision.
We understand that to some, selecting a menu can be an overwhelming idea. If that is the same for you, then you might enjoy reviewing some course suggestions that we have found successful (take a look at our Menu Board ideas on the Feature Cuisine page ) Just remember, that your Haute Chef team will spend an average of 3-5 hours with you and your group., so that is a lot of cooking!!
IS MY KITCHEN BIG ENOUGH?
Just remember that wherever there is enough counter space to place a 12" cutting board and a couple of elbows, that is aproximately how many people will fit in your kitchen. Sometimes we utilize dinner tables or islands to prepare our food as well. Not everyone in your group will be assigned a task together, so some of your guests might be stirring something over the stove, while others are peeling shrimp by the sink. The average party is typically between 8 and12 guests. The bigger your space, the more people you may invite, but our intimate parties are just as fun too!
WHAT ABOUT SUPPLIES?
For each event, we will supply you and your guests with individual recipe books, complimentary kitchen aprons, and a cutting sheet which you may keep. We want to help you to learn to work with what you already have in your kitchen, so it is not necessary to purchase multiple sets of cutlery and special fancy appliances to enjoy yourselves. Of course if you are interested, we can assist you with selecting items which you will utilize in the future, and provide you with a list of equipment suppliers with whom we have experience. Some discount programs can also be extended to you. Just ask us about it.
HOW DOES THE EVENT WORK?
We will help you with the pre-party details, but that is where your skills as a host or hostess come into play. You will want to have your home and kitchen ready as you would for any dinner party, and your beverage and appetizer options prepared. Once your chef has arrived, usually there is some set up and preparation time, but more than likely your guests are already there, mingling, enjoying a glass of wine and waiting for their adventure to begin. We always recommend having some light appetizer, cheese platter or snacks available prior to the cooking. It could be an hour before the first dish is prepared, so you want your guests to be comfortable and not hungry! Many of our guests like to "eat-as-they-cook" ...Which means you will be nibbling on all of your wonderful creations during the duration of your training. This is a nice and unusual way of serving, like a constant buffet of tastes for your palate. This way all of the food remains hot and fresh, so you are tasting your food, exactly the way it would be served in a restaurant. If you prefer to cook all of the items and serve a more formal sit-down dinner presentation, then that is also a wonderful option. You decide how you want it to go, and Haute Chefs will make it happen.
WHO IS GOING TO CLEAN UP THAT MESS?
One of the most daunting of tasks for any home-chef, is the process of cleaning up our creations. It's not particularly fun to do, especially after your tummy is full, your feeling relaxed and enjoying your cocktails and your guests. We don't want you to lift a finger, before, during or after your event, so we bring our kitchen assistants to work in harmony with your Haute Chef. Your space will be spotless after we are gone, so no getting up early to attend to a kitchen war-zone.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST
Each event is unique unto itself. There are several variables which make up the cost of your event, including the day of week, the hours, the Haute Chef availability, the ingredients on your menu, the amount of guests, your location etc. Our consultants will be happy to provide a quote after your initial consultation.