Pricing Guide · Mendocino County
What a private chef costs, in plain numbers
Most private chefs make you inquire just to learn a starting price. We’d rather you know before you write to us. Below are our honest ranges, the real numbers from two recent proposals, and exactly what’s included — so the quote you eventually get feels like confirmation, not a surprise.
The ranges
2–6 guests
Private Dinners
$150–$250 per person
Custom multi-course menu, organic local ingredients, full service and cleanup. Romantic dinners, Airbnb experiences, intimate celebrations.
7–12 guests
Small Events
$125–$175 per person
Family-style or plated service. Retreats, birthdays, weekend gatherings, and long tables of friends.
13+ guests
Large Gatherings & Weddings
From $95 per person · most land $125–$250
Full catering with kitchen team, setup, and optional rentals. Weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events.
Real numbers from recent proposals
Pulled from two proposals we sent this season — so you can see where real events land inside those ranges:
- Girls’ weekend dinner, family-style multi-course for 8–9 — $165/person
- Milestone birthday dinner, four courses for 19 with candlelit celebration dessert — $195/person
- Arrival welcome dinner during a multi-day stay — $145/person
- Farmhouse brunch — $85/person
- Grazing spread for an afternoon or cocktail hour — $45/person
- Additional dinner nights during a stay — $165/person
Community pop-ups are different on purpose: sliding-scale tickets at $20 / $40 / $60 (Support / Sustain / Solidarity) keep the community table open to everyone — watch the Events page for the next one.
What’s always included
Menu planning & consultation · all ingredient sourcing and shopping · on-site cooking and plating · attentive service through the meal · full kitchen cleanup. You host; we handle everything else.
Billed separately
Wine & beverages (we’ll advise on Anderson Valley pairings or shop on your behalf at cost) · specialty rentals · gratuity (optional, always appreciated).
Popular add-ons
Wine pairings & bar service · floral tablescapes · grazing boards & cocktail-hour bites · interactive cooking with the chef
What moves the price
Guest count (per-person rates ease as the table grows) · courses & menu style (a four-course plated dinner costs more than a family-style feast) · ingredients (king salmon and beef tenderloin sit above a garden galette) · season (June–October books fastest) · venue logistics (travel, kitchen setup, rentals).
Booking terms: a 50% deposit reserves your date · balance due the week of your event. Browse sample menus or see full real proposals to picture your table.
Ready for your exact number?
Date, guest count, occasion — we’ll reply with a custom menu and an all-in quote, usually within 2 business days.