Types of Menus

Buffet

There’s a reason why big family gatherings often resort to buffet service; it just works. It’s simple and straightforward, and when done the right way can be quite impressive. I do it the right way. We can use your own platters or my own, and everything will be laid out the way that a mindful grandmother would do it. None of those soulless steam table pans lined up in a row, not over here.

Family Style

Personally, I feel that this is where the sweet spot is. Communal eating is how eating should be done, and serving custom menu items family-style opens up a whole range of impressive foods that just don’t work as a plated dish. Food should taste good, no doubt about that. But the real magic is who you are sharing that amazing food with, and family-style service puts the sharing part front and center.

Individually Plated

If you are looking to replicate a fancy restaurant dining experience, this is the only way to go. Plating dishes individually allows for the art of plating to really shine through and gives a feeling of a chef’s table experience right at your dinner table. This style of menu works best for multi-course tasting menus and dishes where the individual portions are the focus.

Levels of Service

Initial Setup

This level of service works best for people who would like to have the food taken care of, but don’t want a chef to hang out all night. Your food will be delivered, and the first course or two will be cooked and served. Any remaining courses will be left warm in the oven, ready to go. This level of service works particularly well for an intimate 2-person dinner with a loved one, when the company is far more important than the guy that made the food.

Full Service

This is the whole shebang. I’ll bring the food, any and all serving dishes and kitchen utensils, and set up for the night. This level of service works best for people who don’t want to worry about anything at all during the evening. All food will be cooked and served, with cleanup at the end of the night. This style of service works for any menu type, and is perfect (in fact, pretty much required) for individually plated menus.