Frequently Asked Questions - Personal Chef & Catering in NY, LA, SF

  • Our personal chef and event catering services are available across the San Francisco Bay Area (including Marin County, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and the Peninsula), Los Angeles County, and the Capital District in Upstate New York

    • San Francisco Bay Area

    • San Francisco, CA

    • Mill Valley, CA

    • Kentfield, CA

    • Ross, CA

    • Greenbrae, CA

    • Calistoga, CA

    • St. Helena, CA

    • Angwin, CA

    • Glen Ellen, CA

    • Kenwood, CA

    • Sebastopol, CA

    • Atherton, CA

    • Hillsborough, CA

    • Woodside, CA

    • Palo Alto, CA

    • Los Angeles County

    • Beverly Hills, CA

    • Los Angeles, CA

    • Sherman Oaks, CA

    • Studio City, CA

    • Santa Monica, CA

    • West Hollywood, CA

    • Malibu, CA

    • Manhattan Beach, CA

    • Upstate New York

    • Saratoga Springs, NY

    • Loudonville, NY

    • Guilderland, NY

    • Delmar, NY

    • Bethlehem, NY

  • We provide catering in private residences, vacation homes, rentals such as an Airbnb, or any type of venue you choose.

    As long as there’s a full kitchen, we can accommodate!

  • The approach is eclectic - when people ask, we often tell them the majority of flavors are familiar.

    We love the classics just as much as creating dishes inspired by the season as well as a variety of regional cuisines from across the globe.

    No matter what you choose from our menus, it’s our goal to make sure you can say it was delicious.

  • We provide catering for just about every type of get together. It could be a group of friends who want a personal chef to cook for a dinner party they’re planning, a birthday celebration, a wedding, or an anniversary.

    We also offer corporate catering, cocktail party events, and just about any other type of get together where expertly cooked food is needed.

  • We do! While our dedicated cooking class page is under construction, here's what makes our approach different!

    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. This enables people to truly learn how to cook. Recipes don’t accomplish this. We also don’t require every person in your group to participate. As long as there's 2-3 who do, this is generally enough.

    You’ll begin by look at the menu available in your area, then you'll choose items that your group will make together and ultimately dine on together. Once the food is ready, everyone sits down to enjoy the items together. We always make sure the food you prepare together is just as good as if we made it ourselves.

    We assist each person throughout the interactive class, and even handle basic prep work in advance (chopping of ingredients etc) so your group can learn the key parts of cooking without recipes. We’ve been told dozens of times that this method is far more enjoyable.

  • The menu is set up so you can build a 3, 4 or 5 course menu by choosing 1 item from each category. You’ll also notice our menus show that Starters are optional.

    Starters are designed to be served before your group sits down to dine, which is nice if you’re socializing before dinner. No more than a small plate is required. Items are 1-2 bites each, but we always prepare more than enough.

    We require groups to dine on the same items, and we’ll make all dietary accommodations for anyone with allergies, restrictions or aversions. For example, if 8 of 10 people want steak or fish, we provide a replacement ingredient for the 2 people who don’t eat steak or fish. All we need to know is what those 2 people don’t like and we’ll take care of the rest.

    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.

  • This depends on the method of service (Coursed Family Style or Table Service) and whether your home or 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 assist you with the entire process, and connect you with the rental companies we work closely with if needed.

  • Once you’ve reviewed the menu, the next step is to contact us.

    We'll respond within 48 hours, often much sooner.

    After we’ve discussed your event thoroughly and gone over every detail, we will send you a link with an invoice to make a 50% deposit.

    The amount of the 50% 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 50% 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 50% deposit.

    Final menu selections will need to be made no later than 10 days from your event date.

    The remaining amount will be due after the event is complete.

    NOTE:

    If you've received the invoice, but have not made the 50% deposit, the date is not secured.

  • We have two methods of service.

    Coursed Family Style:
    Each course is brought to the dining table on one or more larger platters or bowls, one course at a time. Each platter is carefully served and beautifully presented. Your guests won’t need to pass any heavy plates around. They’ll only need to take a portion from a platter or bowl a few inches away from their dinner plate.

    Table Service:
    This includes a more hands on approach and requires at least one additional staff member. It’s $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.

  • Absolutely! Whether it's light preparations to go with your beverages, or what’s often referred to as “heavy hors d'oeuvres” which means you want your guests to have ample food - we can accommodate.

    Each Cocktail Party menu item is 1 - 2 bites each. 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’s best to select a minimum of 5 savory items.

    See our Cocktail Party Menu here.

  • 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.

    Deposit

    A deposit of 50% of the total cost must be made to secure the date. This includes a deposit with a credit or debit card made through Squarespace Invoices, which secures your event date. The deposit amount is based on the number of guests you expect and the menu format (e.g., how many items per category you would like). The deposit amount can change if your group size changes or if you add/remove menu selections.

    Notification Deadline

    Any changes to guest count or menu format must be communicated to The Company no later than 120 hours before the event. Changes must be approved by The Company and may include deposit adjustments if the group size 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 balance will be adjusted accordingly, and The Client will be refunded.

    If The Client fails to communicate changes within the above time frame, The Company may not be able to accommodate the changes to the service.

    For The Company to perform the service, The Company must confirm your requested changes. If The Company confirms, it will provide The Client with the adjusted amount and issue an updated invoice. If the amount is less, the remaining balance will reflect the decreased amount.

    Consequences of Late Notification

    Failure to notify The Company of any changes within the 120-hour window can result in inadequate staffing, food, supplies, and potentially the need for The Company to cancel the event. In such a case, The Client forfeits their deposit. The Company will make every effort to prevent deposit forfeiture and attempt to reschedule The Client's event on a date of their choice. The Company will offer The Client a credit less any expenses incurred within the 120 hours leading up to the event date.

    Refunds

    No refunds will be processed for changes to menus, guest count, or if The Client fails to pay updated deposit amounts with less than 120 hours' notice.

    "Cut Off" Dates

    The final "cut off" date for any changes in guest count or menu format is 120 hours 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 disasters, illness, or other emergencies, The Company will offer The Client their choice of available service dates based on The Company’s availability.

    If The Client needs to cancel the service date due to any impact from natural disasters, illness, or other emergencies, The Company will offer The Client their choice of available service dates based on The Company’s availability.

    If The Company has incurred certain expenses (e.g., food purchases), The Company may offer partial credit based on the expenses incurred.

    The Company will make every effort to save The Client any amounts possible and will operate in good faith to every extent possible.