Commonly Asked

Think of a Private Chef Experience as having a restaurant come to you - except the menu, the atmosphere and the whole evening is built entirely around you. Dinner on your terms, in your own home. (Perks of being an adult, right?)

Our page gives you a flavour of what a menu or evening might look like, but treat that as inspiration rather than a fixed offering. Every experience is different, and honestly, that's our favourite part. Whether you're after a relaxed gathering with shared bowls and free-flowing drinks, or a refined multi course dinner where every detail is considered, we can make most things happen.

Once you send an enquiry, we'll have a proper chat, talk through what you're envisioning, and put together a plan that feels right. We'll propose a suggested menu, and once you're happy with everything, a 30% deposit secures your date - with the remaining 70% due the week before.

Every experience is priced based on what you're after - the number of courses, the ingredients involved, and the size of your group all play a part. A menu built around seasonal, locally sourced produce will sit at a different price point to one featuring premium ingredients like fresh crayfish or caviar, and that's exactly how it should be - you're only ever paying for what's on your table.

As a guide, a private chef experience with four courses starts from $160 per head. From there, the world is fairly much your oyster (literally, if you'd like). We'll always provide a clear quote before anything is confirmed, so there are no surprises.

The best way to get an accurate idea of cost is simply to get in touch and tell us what you're envisioning - we'll come back to you with something tailored.

Absolutely. Every menu we create is bespoke, so dietary requirements aren't an afterthought - they're built in from the start. We regularly cook gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and allergy-specific menus without compromising on flavour or presentation. Just let us know when you enquire and we'll make sure everything is taken care of.

For our corporate catering, the menu is fixed - but that doesn't mean you can't ask. If you have a specific requirement or request, always worth a message. If we can make it work, we will.

The more notice the better - but as a general guide, we recommend booking at least 2-4 weeks in advance, particularly for weekend evenings and public holidays which fill quickly. For larger events we'd suggest reaching out 6-8 weeks ahead.

For corporate catering, we require a minimum of 3 days notice - but again, the more time we have the better, so if you can plan ahead, we'd always encourage it!

We're based in Auckland and cover the greater Auckland region as standard - with delivery free and included within 15km of the CBD. We're particularly well set up for central Auckland and the North Shore and Northland, which we know and love.

For locations a little further out - Waiheke Island, Matakana, the Coromandel - we're absolutely open to travelling. A travel fee applies for these trips, charged at the current IRD mileage rate of $1.17 per km plus our time at an hourly rate. We'll always be upfront about this before you confirm anything, so there are no surprises.

Get in touch and we'll work it out - distance has never stopped us from a good dinner!

Not at all - we arrive fully equipped with our own specialist knives, tools, and all the cooking equipment we need. We also handle all the grocery shopping as part of the service, so you don't need to think about a thing.

For private dining, all we ask is access to a functioning stove, oven, and clear bench space. We'd also ask that you have plates, cutlery, and glassware, enough for your guests. We bring everything else, and we'll always arrive ahead of time to set up so everything is ready to go when your guests arrive. We are able to offer hiring of whiteware and glasses at an additional cost.

For event catering and drop-off orders, we can present everything in high quality disposable serveware at no extra cost. If you'd prefer something a little more considered, we're also able to hire out serving platters, boards, and bowls at cost - just let us know when you enquire and we'll put together some options.

Kitchen Hero is more geared towards a weekly meal prep service which is designed for busy professionals, new parents, or anyone who wants to eat well without the daily effort or it coming out of a microwave package. We shop for fresh ingredients, come to your home, and leave you with a fridge stocked of nourishing meals, and your week sorted.

For intimate private dining, we typically use your own tableware — it makes the experience feel more personal and the table more familiar. However, if you'd prefer a fully dressed table or are hosting a larger event, we can arrange premium hireage of linens, ceramics, and glassware. Just let us know when you enquire.

Yes. For larger boutique events we can provude additional staff. We'll recommend staffing levels based on your guest numbers and the style of service you're after.

We completely understand that plans change. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking - this protects the time and planning that goes into every event from the moment you book.

For cancellations with more than 30 days notice, we're happy to transfer your deposit to a new date within 12 months. We get it, life happens and things change, so we'll always try to find a workable solution where we can.

We do! And an Artisan at Home experience makes a genuinely memorable gift. No more guessing what to buy the person who has everything, or the new parents who deserve a proper treat but haven't had a moment to themselves. A private chef experience, a Kitchen Hero session, or even a beautifully catered dinner at home is the kind of gift people actually remember.

Vouchers can be tailored to a specific experience or set at a dollar amount - and if the recipient wants to go bigger, the voucher simply goes towards the total cost of whatever they choose. It's a really lovely way for friends or family to chip in together on something truly special too.

Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, new babies, retirements - or honestly, any excuse to do something a little special.

We're committed to sourcing spray-free, locally grown produce wherever possible, and we never cook with seed oils - only quality fats like butter, tallow, and cold-pressed olive oil. Real ingredients, handled with care. It's the foundation of everything we do.