As a personal chef, there are experiences that are fun and eventful, and then there are those that profoundly reaffirm my decision to pursue this career. One such impactful experience occurred during my second full year as a personal chef.
At the time, I was feeling uncertain about how to grow my business in a way that felt meaningful for both my clients and myself. Then, I received an inquiry from a woman named who was planning a dinner party to welcome her best friend Kim who had moved away but was returning for a visit. This resonated with me deeply, as I had a best friend Kim who had moved away and was in the process of moving back home. I totally understood my clients’ feelings of wanting the perfect evening to celebrate her friends visit.
Excited to be part of this special event, I eagerly accepted the job. On the evening of this event, the weekend had been a bit stressful, and I was feeling somewhat drained as I prepped and loaded up for the dinner party. My enthusiasm was waning, and I felt a bit burnt out.
Upon arriving at my client’s home, I was warmly welcomed and directed to her beautifully redone kitchen and the outdoor area where the dinner would be served. The setting was stunning, with a picturesque view of a golf course (hole #14, to be exact), large old oak trees, and perfect weather for an outdoor meal. As I decorated the table with a fall-themed tablescape using the client’s dinnerware, glassware, and linens, my excitement began to reignite.
As the guests started to arrive, the atmosphere was filled with joy and anticipation. The friends were thrilled to see each other and eager to celebrate their reunion. They enjoyed appetizers and champagne before sitting down to a meal that would become one of my most memorable dinner experiences.
The evening was filled with lively conversation and laughter. The guests graciously included me in their photos and showered me with compliments. I completed the evening by cleaning up the kitchen, leaving it spotless.
This dinner party was particularly impactful for me as a personal chef because it made me realize what I truly love about my job: creating unforgettable dining experiences that leave a lasting impression on my clients and their guests. After that evening, I was inspired to focus on crafting amazing dinner parties and marketing these experiences to potential clients. Here is a testimonial from my client that had this dinner party.
“Can I just say WOW, yes, please, and THANK YOU! I had never hired a personal chef to come and cook before and saw ‘The Bougie Foodie’ advertised on Facebook. I called Lauren to talk about the process and how she works before I decided to hire her to come prepare a party for a group of friends. I was nervous being ‘out of control’ of my party and bugged her with questions and pictures of my linens and asking for details. We came up with a menu and she told me to relax that she would take care of everything! We planned appetizers, salad, a plated dinner, and dessert! The day arrived and BOOM, Lauren swept in and started cooking and creating magic! She adorned our tables with candles, fresh flowers, personal place cards, decorations, and a framed menu. I started to relax and truly ENJOY the experience and it continued all evening long! I was able to greet my guests, chat with them all evening, laugh, and share time around the fire pit post dinner while Lauren cleaned up the kitchen! It was a delicious meal and time filled with lovely compliments for all the details and free time to simply enjoy each other. Lauren came through on every point and I can wholeheartedly recommend ‘The Bougie Foodie’ for any occasion you have and simply want to relax and enjoy your friends and family! ” Debbie Edmonds
That dinner party came at a crucial time when I was questioning my path as The Bougie Foodie. It was a true revelation that reignited my passion for providing exceptional service and creating memories that my clients will cherish forever.
I hope you enjoyed this story and found it as inspiring as I did. If you need help planning your own unforgettable dinner party, feel free to reach out! I would love to cook for you!