FAQ
Q. HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN I HAVE AT MY DINNER PARTY?
A. We specialise in small, bespoke dinner parties, generally up to 20 people but can cater for bigger events when requested. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Q. WHAT WILL MY CHEF COOK FOR ME AND MY GUESTS?
A. Simply put, whatever you like! Our professional chefs are very experienced and can cater for a wide variety of tastes and dietary requirements. We have a range of menus to give you inspiration or you can tell us if you have something in particular in mind. Generally, everyone will have the same meal, however if one or more guest has a dietary requirement, we will discuss an alternative menu for them with you.
Q. WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE MANY FANCY COOKING GADGETS IN MY KITCHEN?
A. Don’t worry! We’ll discuss what you do have and if something vital is missing, your chef will bring it along on the day.
Q. WHO WILL SERVE THE FOOD AND DO THE WASHING UP?
A. If less than 13 people are dining, your chef will serve the meal. Your chef will also take care of washing the dishes and pans. If there are 13 or more people dining, we provide a waiter or waitress to serve your meal and pour drinks.
Q. DO YOU PROVIDE CROCKERY, CUTLERY, GLASSES AND LINEN?
A. Most people prefer to use their own, but we can provide all of the above on request. There is an extra charge for this service (dependent on the quantities) which will be discussed on booking.
Q. DO YOU LAY THE TABLE?
A. Generally we ask you to prepare the table before the chef arrives or whilst they are cooking your meal. If you would like us to lay the table for you, please mention this to us on booking. There may be an extra charge for the time it takes to do this, which will be discussed on booking.
Q. CAN I HAVE A WAITER / BUTLER, AS WELL AS THE CHEF, EVEN IF THERE ARE LESS THAN 8 OF US?
A. We are more than happy to provide a waiter or butler for the evening, even if less than 8 people are dining. The cost for this service is £80 to £150, depending on where you live and your menu.
Q. HOW DO I PAY FOR MY DINNER PARTY?
A. We will email you an invoice and take payment by cheque and bank transfer. Generally, we ask you for full payment in advance to secure the date for your booking. If you book several months in advance, we ask for a deposit and the remaining payment 14 days in advance of the date of your dinner party.
Q. HOW MUCH DOES A DINNER PARTY COST?
A. Contact us for a bespoke quote for your dinner party. The cost depends on how many guests you have, your menu and your location. Generally our prices range from £70-£125 + VAT per person for a 3 course meal, including your chef, a waiter (if there are more than 7 people dining) and all food. You can provide your own alcohol and we’re happy to make wine match suggestions.
Q. CAN I PROVIDE THE INGREDIENTS MYSELF?
A. Your chef will purchase high quality ingredients for you to make sure your meal is consistently excellent. It also ensures that everything required can be sourced. In our experience, we have found that this is the most effective way to operate, giving you one less thing to think about before your special event!
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR CHANGE THE DATE OF MY DINNER PARTY?
A. We’ll always do our best to help if you need to reschedule or cancel your dinner party date.
Our cancellation policy is:
* Cancel at least 7 days in advance of the date booked: full refund minus a £20 administration charge.
* Change of date or location at least 7 days in advance of the date originally booked: we will endeavour to meet your new requirements, subject to the availability of the chef. There is a £20 administration charge for this change.
* Cancel, change date or change location less than 7 days in advance of the original date booked: we’re sorry but we cannot offer you a refund if you cancel or wish to change the date. We may be able to change the location (if the menu, date, time and number of guests remain the same), but cannot guarantee this.
Q. CAN I CHANGE HOW MANY PEOPLE COME TO MY DINNER PARTY?
A. If you are reducing or increasing the number of guests please let us know as early as possible.
Generally, we are unable to change the number of guests within 7 days of your booking, as your chef will have already made arrangements with suppliers.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF MY DINNER PARTY GUESTS ARRIVE LATE?
A. Sometimes delays are inevitable, however if the dinner starts considerably later than the time booked, we will need to invoice you after the appointment for the chef and waiter’s time and travel costs incurred. For the safety of our chefs and waiters, taxi fare costs will be charged if appointments finish later than 11.00pm.
Q. I NEED A CHEF TO COOK FOR A DINNER PARTY AT VERY SHORT NOTICE. CAN YOU HELP?
A. We generally need you to book at least 10 days in advance of your dinner party date. However, occasionally we may be able to help at short notice. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Q. I LIVE OUTSIDE OF LONDON. CAN YOU STILL SEND A CHEF TO COOK FOR MY DINNER PARTY?
A. We serve London postcodes (W, WC, E, EC, N, NW, SW, SE) but can often help if you live outside of this area, as we have talented chefs dotted all over the country. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Q. I’D LIKE A CHEF TO COOK FOR ME ON CHRISTMAS DAY / NEW YEAR’S EVE / NEW YEAR’S DAY. CAN YOU HELP?
A. We have chefs available on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Christmas. Please note that a surcharge applies on all bank holidays.
If you still have some questions about your dinner party or want more information, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
A. Simply put, whatever you like! Our professional chefs are experienced in a wide range of cuisines, as well as being experts in ‘everyday’ cooking. If you want to learn how to cook a signature dish, get to grips with some specific skills, or work with some key ingredients, your chef will be delighted to help! As the lessons are one-to-one (or you can invite up to 2 friends to join you), your lesson will be tailored to your needs. If you have a specific cuisine you want to learn, please check with us that we have a suitable chef in your area before purchasing a voucher.
YOUR COOKING LESSON AT HOME
Q. WHAT WILL I LEARN DURING MY PRIVATE COOKING LESSON?
Q. HOW LONG WILL MY COOKING LESSON BE?
A. Lessons are for approximately 3 hours.
Q. HOW DO I PAY FOR MY COOKING LESSON?
A. We accept payment by cheque and bank transfer. If the cost of your cooking lesson is not our standard price (e.g. if you live outside of London or if you have a special offer) we will issue you an invoice and ask you to pay this way.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR CHANGE THE DATE OF MY COOKERY LESSON?
A. Once you have booked a date for the lesson, if you need to re-schedule or cancel, we will always do our best to help.
Our cancellation policy is:
* Cancel at least 7 days in advance of the date booked: full refund minus a £95 administration charge.
* Change of date or location at least 7 days in advance of the date originally booked: we will endeavour to meet your new requirements, subject to the availability of the chef. There is a £20 administration charge for this change.
* Cancel, change date or change location less than 7 days in advance of the original date booked: we’re sorry but we cannot offer you a refund if you cancel or wish to change the date. We may be able to change the location (if the date, time and number of people remain the same), but cannot guarantee this.
Q. WHY DO I NEED TO BUY A VOUCHER?
A. We set up the voucher system to make sure your Chef’s Compliments experience is as smooth as possible. It’s easier for you to give as a gift and it gets the money part out of the way at the beginning, so you don’t need to get your wallet out at the lesson.
Q. HOW MUCH WILL MY COOKING LESSON COST?
A. A 3-hour cooking lesson for 1, 2 or 3 people at a London address, including ingredients (usually enough for a couple of courses for 2-3 people, depending on what you choose to learn) and customised Chef’s Compliments aprons. If you would like more than 2 people to join you in the lesson, or if you don’t have a London postcode, the cost is slightly higher. Please contact us with your requirements.
Please note: a surcharge may apply for certain high-cost ingredients, such as lobster, caviar, oysters, truffles etc. This will be confirmed to you on booking, should you wish to include such ingredients in your lesson.
Q. CAN I PROVIDE THE INGREDIENTS MYSELF?
A. To avoid any confusion about what is needed for your lesson, your chef will purchase high quality ingredients for you. Your chef will be more than happy to let you know the best places for you to buy the ingredients after the lesson when you wish to repeat the dishes.
However, we do ask that you have a few staple ingredients available: vegetable oil, olive oil, salt, pepper, butter, milk, sugar, fresh herbs, wine (if required for the dishes).
Q. WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE MANY FANCY COOKING GADGETS IN MY KITCHEN?
A. One of the benefits of having a lesson in your own kitchen is that you use your own equipment and will easily be able to repeat the dishes when the chef leaves. Usually, the only pieces of kit the chef will bring are his trusty knives. When you book a date with us, we will discuss what equipment you have in your kitchen so that the chef is prepared.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR CHANGE THE DATE OF MY COOKERY LESSON?
A. Once you have booked a date for the lesson, if you need to re-schedule or cancel, we will always do our best to help.
Our cancellation policy is:
* Cancel at least 7 days in advance of the date booked: full refund minus a £20 administration charge.
* Change of date or location at least 7 days in advance of the date originally booked: we will endeavour to meet your new requirements, subject to the availability of the chef. There is a £20 administration charge for this change.
* Cancel, change date or change location less than 7 days in advance of the original date booked: we’re sorry but we cannot offer you a refund if you cancel or wish to change the date. We may be able to change the location (if the date, time and number of people remain the same), but cannot guarantee this.
Q. HOW DO YOUR BBQ LESSONS AT HOME WORK?
A. Our barbecue lessons at home work in the same way as our ‘kitchen’ cooking lessons, in that they are 3 hours, for up to 3 people and all ingredients are included. You need to provide the BBQ (and charcoal etc) and your chef will teach you how to cook meat, fish and veggie dishes to perfection. Should it rain on the day, your lesson will continue under cover or in your kitchen.
Q. I LIVE OUTSIDE OF LONDON. CAN I HAVE A COOKING LESSON AT HOME?
A. We serve London postcodes (W, WC, E, EC, N, NW, SW, SE) but can often help if you live outside this area as we have talented chefs dotted all over the country. Please contact us to discuss your requirements before you buy a voucher.
If you still have some questions or want more information, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
CHEF’S COMPLIMENTS VOUCHER
Q. CAN I BUY A VOUCHER FOR A DINNER PARTY FOR A FRIEND?
A. Yes, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Q. HOW LONG IS MY CHEF’S COMPLIMENTS VOUCHER VALID FOR?
A. Your voucher must be used within six months of the date of purchase. The date is written on the voucher.
Q. CAN CHEF’S COMPLIMENTS VOUCHERS BE GIVEN AS A GIFT?
A. Yes – you are free to use vouchers bought on the website for yourself or as a gift. When you or the gift recipient contacts us to book a date, we will ask for name and address details, as well as details relevant to your cooking lesson or dinner party.
Q. I WANT TO BUY A VOUCHER FOR SOMEONE WHO LIVES OUTSIDE OF LONDON. CAN I DO THIS?
A. We generally serve only London postcodes (W, WC, E, EC, N, NW, SW, SE). If you give a voucher to someone who lives outside of London, but you live in London and are happy for them to use your kitchen for their cooking lesson or dinner party, this would be fine. We can sometimes help if you live further afield as we have talented chefs dotted around the country, but please contact us to discuss your requirements before buying a voucher.
Q. HOW DO I PAY FOR MY CHEF’S COMPLIMENTS VOUCHER?
A. Please use our voucher form here.
Q. WHAT DAYS OF THE WEEK ARE VOUCHERS VALID?
A. Your voucher can be used on any weekday or weekend, subject to the availability of chefs. Availability may be limited and a surcharge may be applicable on bank and public holidays. This will be discussed with you if you request such a date.
YOUR CHEF
Q. WHAT EXPERIENCE DO THE CHEFS HAVE?
A. All of our chefs are handpicked and screened by the director/lead chef Darryl. They have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in high end fine dining/Michelin star restaurants and are at head chef level. We have the best available chefs in your area.
Q. WHAT WILL THE CHEF TEACH ME IN MY LESSON?
A. All of the chefs are passionate about food and love nothing more than sharing that passion with others. They have years of experience and will enjoy helping you improve your skills whatever your current level of cooking (from complete novice to advanced). They can teach you skills and ‘trade secrets’ to increase your confidence in the kitchen, as well as helping you understand more about ingredients and how to use them well. You can also ask all of those cookery questions that have been puzzling you!
Q. WHAT IF I GET SOMETHING WRONG. WILL THE CHEF BE CROSS?
A. Of course not! All the chefs are patient and professional, and love working with people who share their passion for all things food. If you get something ‘wrong’ your chef will help you put it right!
