Common Questions
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We come to your private residence, a rental such as an Airbnb or VRBO, and other venues. As long as there is a full kitchen, we can accommodate you.
Northern California service areas include San Francisco County, Marin County, Napa County, Sonoma County, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County.
Southern California service areas include Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, Riverside County and San Bernardino County.
Visit he LA menu page for specific locations in Southern California.
Visit the SF menu page for specific locations in Southern California.
Button links are below use the main tabs at the top of the website to view menus. -
Our approach is eclectic, and each chef has unique talents.
When people ask, I often tell them that the majority of flavors in all our menu items are mostly familiar.
As a whole, we love classics as much as creating dishes inspired by seasonality and different regional cuisines from across the globe.No matter what, it’s got to be delicious.
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We provide catering for just about every type of get together. A group of friends who want a personal chef to cook for their dinner party, a birthday celebration, weddings, anniversaries.
We also offer corporate catering, cocktail party events, wine dinners with wineries and winemakers, and just about any other type of get together where food is needed.
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We do! However, we use a different approach than most cooking classes.
Instead of the traditional method where everyone has a stationed area with either a recipe or a portion of a recipe, we show people how to cook items they’d like to make themselves without recipes. We also don’t require every person in your group to participate.
We begin by having you look at our menu, then choosing items for your group to make together. Once the food is ready, everyone sits down to enjoy the items together.
We assist each person throughout the interactive class, and even handle basic prep work in advance (chopping or ingredients etc) so your group can learn the key parts of cooking without recipes. -
Starters are designed to be served before your group sits down to dine which can be nice if you’re socializing before sitting down to dinner. No more than a small plate is required. Items are 1-2 bites each, but we always prepare more than enough. Starters are optional since some groups want to sit down to eat right away.
The menu is set up so you can build a 3 or 4 course menu by choosing 1 item from each category.
We require groups to dine on the same items, and we’ll make all dietary accommodations for anyone with allergies, restrictions or aversions.
This way, everyone can enjoy a meal together even if there needs to be slight differences for certain members of your group. This method works 99% of the time.
No matter what, we’ll always accommodate you.
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This depends on the method of service (Coursed Family Style or Table Service) and whethe the venue has adequate serving-ware, dining-ware and flatware.
Once you determine the menu format and method of service (Coursed Family Style or Table Service) we will tell you what’s required.
If rental items are needed, we’ll introduce you to our partner - Bright Event Rentals. All you’ll need to do is share with them the required items (which we’ll provide you) and they’ll help you make choices based on your liking.
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Once you’ve reviewed either the San Francisco catering menus or the Los Angeles catering enus, the next step is to contact us here.
We’ll respond in less than 48 hours. Often quicker.
After we’ve gone over details, we will send you a link with an invoice to make a deposit of 75%.If either the deposit is not made, or the card is not on file, we are unable to save the date. The amount of the 75% deposit is based on the following:
The number of people in your group.
The menu format which includes optional starters and number of courses.
If you’d like us to cook for you, but it’s 2 or more weeks away from your event date, you do not need to make specific menu choices, but the 75% deposit will be required to secure the date. If the date is less than 2 weeks away, it’s necessary to make specific menu selections along with the deposit.
Final menu selections will need to me made no later than 8 days from your event.
The remaining amount due will be debited after the event is complete. Prior to debiting the remaining due, you’ll be able to view your invoice at any time. Invoices are “live” and any changes (guest count, menu items) are always visible to our clients.
NOTE:
If you have not made the 75% deposit but want to secure the date, the date is not yet secured.
If you have made the deposit but did not save your card in Square, the date is not yet secured.
We require a card saved with our payment processor due to learning that clients would forget to pay the remaining due. We realize people are busy, yet we do not want our clients to remember our last interaction as transactional. No one likes bill collectors!
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We have two methods of service.
Coursed Family Style: Each course is brought to the dining table on one or more larger platters, one course at a time. Carefully served and beautifully presented. Your guests will not need to pass any heavy plates around.
Table Service:
$50 per person and available by request based on your group size and our staff availability. When available, the chef(s) individually plate, serve, and clear each course. Food servers are not necessary since our chefs take care of everything.
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Absolutely! Whether is a very light food or what’s often referred to as “heavy hors d'oeuvres” which means you want your guests to have ample food.
Each item is 1 - 2 bites, and no utensils are needed. This way, your guests can socialize while enjoying both passed and freshly stationed items.
We ensure there’s plenty of food, and your guests can enjoy as much as they’d like.
When making menu selections, we recommend a minimum of at least 4 savory items and 1 dessert item. If there’s people in your group who are vegetarian or don’t eat certain items, it can be best to select a minimum of 5 savory items.
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Terms and Conditions for mise en place Catering Services
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern the provision of catering services (“Services”) by mise en place (“The Company”) to the client (“The Client”) and constitute a legally binding agreement between the parties.
A deposit of 75% of the total cost must be made to secure the date.
This includes a credit or debit card stored within our payment processor (PayPal, Square, Stripe) to secure the event date. In addition, we will base the amount on the amount of guests you expect at most and the menu format, e.g. how many items per category you would like. The deposit amount can change if your group becomes larger or smaller, or adds/removes menu selections.
The Incremental Deposit
A deposit of 25% based on the final group number and menu will be debited. This ensures both the company and client are in alignment with all pricing, group number and final menu selections.
Adjustment of Deposit for Menu Changes
If there are any changes to the number of courses per guest, the estimated total cost and hence the required 75% deposit will need to be recalculated and adjusted. At this point the cleient agrees to provide the updated amount based on the group count and menu format (or menu items if already chosen).
The customer is obligated to pay the updated deposit to secure the group count and/or menu changes. If the client does not agree to pay the updated deposit amount, the event is not secured per the Company terms & conditions outlined.
Notification Deadline
Any changes to guest count or menu format must be communicated to the Company no later than 96 hours before the event and include any necessary deposit adjustments which include an additional deposit amount if the group increases, and/or menu selections exceed the original amount. If the group size decreases, and/or menu selections result in a lesser amount the remaining due will be adjusted to reflect this change and the client will be refunded.
If the client fails to communicate within the 96 hours, the Business may not be able to perform the service.
E.g. If a client has paid their deposit, saved their card with our payment processor, and the amount is based on 6 people but the client emails, calls or sends an SMS to the Company to notify the Company that the group will now be 7 people instead of 6 people, we cannot guarantee the event is still booked as planned.
In order for the company to perform the service, the company must confirm your requested changes. If The company confirms, The company will provide the client with the adjusted amount and then debit the card on file if the amount is greater. If the amount is less, the remaining due will reflect the decreased amount.
Consequences of Late Notification
Failure to notify the company of any changes within the 96 hour window can result in inadequate staffing, food, supplies, potentially resulting in the need for the company to cancel the event and the client forfeits their deposit. The Business will make every effort to prevent deposit forfeiture, and attempt to reschedule the Client event on a date of their choice. The company will offer the client a credit less any expenses incurred within the 96 hours leading up to the client event date.
Refunds
No refunds will be processed for the following with less than 96 hours notice from the client, including changes to menus, guest count, and/or if the client fails to pay updated deposit amounts.
"Cut Off" Dates
The final "cut off" date for any changes in guest count or menu format is 96 hours or more before the event start time. This allows The Company to make necessary adjustments in staffing, food orders. and food preparation.
Emergency and Unforeseen Circumstances
If The Company needs to cancel the service date due to any impact from natural disaster, illness, or other emergency, The company will offer the client their choice of available service dates based on Company availability.
If the client needs to cancel the service date due to any impact from natural disaster, illness, or other emergency, The company will offer the client their choice of available service dates based on The company availability.
If the company has incurred certain expenses (food purchases) the company may offer partial credit based on expenses incurred.
The company will make full effort to save the client any amounts possible and will operate in good will to every extent possible.