Behind the Menu

Stephen was planning a dinner for 14 colleagues: something polished, but not overly formal. He didn’t want white-glove service, but it needed to feel like a step above the usual family-style gathering. He also needed guidance on rentals, decor, and wine selections. That’s where I came in.

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We designed an evening that struck the perfect balance: elevated, warm, and effortless. I sourced everything he needed, from tablescape elements to glassware, and curated a selection of wines and cocktails to pair with a simple, elegant multi-course menu featuring a choice of two mains.

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Guests were welcomed with cocktails and wine, along with a mozzarella bar we set up for a relaxed, interactive start to the night. Once everyone had arrived, they moved to the table, where I introduced the evening’s menu and answered questions.

The first course, classic carbonara, was served as my professional staff moved through the room, taking each guest’s selection for the main course. Everything flowed with ease. No stiff service, just intuitive hospitality.

For dessert, we served a seasonal panna cotta, the perfect finish to a well-paced meal. Once the evening wrapped, my team and I handled the full breakdown, organized rentals for pickup, and left Stephen’s home spotless, like the party had magically hosted itself.

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In the end, it was exactly what he’d hoped for: a beautiful evening, perfectly executed, and completely stress-free.

Review from Stephen - Everything was fantastic! The staff were incredibly professional, helpful, and friendly - they got lots of compliments from our guests. They were a pleasure to work with. The food was phenomenal! We loved all of it. I received tons of compliments both last night and today from our guests, and I’ve passed these on to Chef Joey. In planning, Joey was super helpful, creative and responsive. Thank you so much again. We will certainly be using him in the future!