USVI-On-Line

For anyone who has hired a private chef, how do you handle everyone's different food preferences?

At least twice, I have tried to do an in-villa chef meal but dropped the idea because our group has different tastes. When I look at the costs, I feel bad "forcing" everyone to eat the same meal.

Last trip, I contacted one of the popular services and the owner sorta, but not really, agreed to let us do two proteins for the main entree. (some in the group did not eat seafood, the rest of us wanted seafood) I got the sense they were not interested in any alterations or substitutions so I didn't book the meal.

In general, are chefs willing to do reasonable substitutions?

Or do people plan these meals based on the offered menu and others in the group just eat want you pick for the entire group?

The service I am looking at for our upcoming trip will run $200+ pp before tip so it is a big splurge.

PA_Girl,

I did have the same meal for all and I am the pickest eater so I compromised. We served it family style. The food was amazing and I had plenty - I just skipped some of the dishes. We hired Mat in May and loved him. Yes, it is very pricey but we all agreed worth it.

Let me know if I missed anything.
N

Last December we used Mathayom http://www.stjohncatering.com/ using a "gift certificate" I won in an auction/fundraiser for the Friends of the National Park. It was the food highlight of a 2 week trip! We will do it again for sure!

We presented them with the following limitation
2 vegetarians - no meat of fish, 2 Ok with anything
1 Gluten free and dairy free

They created a wonderful menu that pleased us all --- they provided somethings that we all ate and some where there were 2 options!

Contact them and see what they can offer!

Not for nothing, but for $200/pp, they should be able to not only satisfy individual requests, but fluff your pillows, tuck you in and stay around to cook breakfast in the morning.

Even better, I'm a pretty good cook. Just pay to fly me down for the night and I'll whip something up. I won't even charge you! (obviously j/k)

alw1977 wrote:Not for nothing, but for $200/pp, they should be able to not only satisfy individual requests, but fluff your pillows, tuck you in and stay around to cook breakfast in the morning.

Even better, I'm a pretty good cook. Just pay to fly me down for the night and I'll whip something up. I won't even charge you! (obviously j/k)

My husband's thoughts exactly! Bless him, he thinks I produce better meals than most restaurants so why pay someone else to do it? just spend my money on jewelry instead.

If I pursue this, I might list our requirements and if someone is willing to take on the job, great. If not, that is fine too.

We are trying a private chef in 2 weeks and we are going with tapas. There should be enough variety to satisfy all