Private Dinners & Cooking Classes
Why book a private dinner with us?
We are just as excited to eat as you are. Why not sit back in the comfort of your own home and let us do all of the work? You don't need to facilitate a large group of friends going out to eat, and you don't have to miss out on your own dinner parties by being stuck in the kitchen. Also, cleaning up after a big party is usually too cumbersome the evening of, and then proceeds to ruin the morning after.
It's effortless - the only thing you need to do is help coordinate the exact menu you want. That's it.
We come to you and are willing to travel. We cook, entertain (if you want), and clean.
Let us create an experience for you.
Joe
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The Team
The Dinner
When you book a dinner with us, the first step is creating the menu. We can obviously accommodate any dietary restrictions and aversions. The most important question is, “What foods do you NOT like.” This is your party; we want to ensure everyone leaves happy and full. If you are looking for “Spa Food” or “Just a nice little spread of meats and cheeses,” we are not what you are looking for - but we hope you find the right people for the job!
We come to your house, bring any necessary equipment to cook the meal, and leave your kitchen just as (or in better shape than) we found. We are happy to help find serving platters, disposable dining ware, etc. if needed. Other add-ons are as follows:
Wine Service
I have extensive experience in both wine sales and wine drinking. I will happily pair wines to go with any and all of the dishes or pick out two or three to run the course of the meal. I will also handle service on any bottles from your own cellar that you’d like to offer.
Cigar Selections
If you’re into it, I am happy to select the right cigars for after, before, or even during dinner (it’s your journey). Whether you prefer a milder Connecticut wrapper or a more intense Maduro - we’ve got you covered. I will pick them out, clip them, and light them. I’ve even got a very fancy ashtray.
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Private Cooking Classes
NOW OFFERING
Food Coma Private Cooking Classes
Do you want to add a few new dishes to your repertoire? Let’s spend the day together and make that happen! Choose from the recipe sets below:
Thai Coconut Soup - Kimchi Fried Rice
Meatballs and Red Sauce - Italian Holiday Bread Soup
Black Bean Huevos Rancheros - Tortilla Soup
Indian Butter Chicken - Red Lentil Dal
Mapo Tofu - Hot & Sour Soup
Japanese-Style New England Fish Chowder - Scallop Hamayaki
Avalable for 1-3 people (or more, if requested), the class includes:
Menu Planning
Going Shopping for Ingredients, Including Specialty Markets
Help With Stocking Your Pantry
Shopping for Wines to Pair, If You’d Like
Step By Step Cooking Instructions, in Your Kitchen
A Printed Recipe PDF
Dinner, Obviously!
Cost is $395 (includes ingredients, but excludes alcohol)
A $100 Deposit Is Due at Booking
I’m Looking Forward to Seeing You!
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Sample Starters
Velvety Sweet Corn Soup with Maine Lobster and Saffron
Aromatic Thai Coconut Soup with Galangal, Lemongrass, Lime Leaves, and Mushrooms
New England-Style Fish Chowder with Miso, Dashi, and Cream
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Turkish-Spiced Meatballs with Pomegranate Glaze
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Thai-Style Meatballs with Lemongrass Broth
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Heirloom Tomato Salad with Artisan Chèvre, Fresh Basil, and Aged Balsamic
Mushrooms Stuffed with Boursin & Apricot, Served with Roasted Red and Yellow Pepper Sauces
Japanese-Style Vichyssoise Soup
Red Lentil Dal with Spinach, Tomato, and Buttery Garlic
French Onion Soup with Gruyere Crisps
Ajiaco Cubano Soup with Corn, Yucca, and Chicken
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Sesame, Sage, and Creme Fraiche
Vietnamese Chicken Pho with Fresh Herbs
Italian Wedding Soup with Escarole, Fresh Croutons, and Meatballs
Chicken Nuggets with General Tso, Ranch, and Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Raw Oysters on the Half Shell with Smoked Lemon Mignonette
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Broiled Oysters with Nashville Hot Butter
Brioche Toasts with Lobster & Caviar
Smoked Mussels, Escargot-Style
Seared Scallops with Lemon & Tarragon Butter
Mezze Plate
Baba Ghanouj, Muhammarra, Whipped Feta & Honey, Roasted Beets with Pistachio & Date Syrup, Cucumber Salad with Sumac Pickled Onions, and Spicy Candied Walnuts
Giant Spicy Scallop Roll with Togarashi and Truffle Oil
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Foie Gras Terrine with Black Truffle and Sauternes
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Teriyaki Spam Nigiri (Musubi)​​​
​Braised Duck Leg Pancakes with Sweet Chii Sauce
Sample Main Course Meals (Feel Free to Mix N' Match)
12-Hour Braised Pork Shoulder with Garlic
Cilantro Rice, Cuban Black Beans, Roasted Plantains, and Salsa Verde
Butter Cashew Chicken
Israeli Couscous with Saffron, Apricot, and Mint + Fresh Naan Bread
Thai-Style Braised Short Ribs with Coconut
Kimchi Fried Rice (or Lo Mein) and Coconut-Braised Kale with Vindaloo Spice
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Roasted Chicken Thighs with Champagne Dijon Sauce
Hasselback Potatoes and Tarragon-Glazed Carrots
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The Food Coma Burger
American Cheese, Caramelized Onion & Mushroom, Balsamic Mayo, Brioche Bun
Lasagna Bolognese
Caesar Salad and Broccoli Rabe with Garlic
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Baked Cod with ALL of the Ritz Crackers
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Haitian-Style Braised Chicken with Epis
Pigeon Peas & Rice and Pikliz Slaw
Red Wine-Marinated Beef Tenderloin Roast with Horseradish Cream Sauce
Classic Wedge Salad, Herb-Butter-Poached Lobster, Mashed Potatoes, and Garlic Butter Broccoli
Saffron Risotto with Lobster and Aleppo Chili
Steamed Clams with Sake & Mirin and Tomato Salad with Burrata & Dark Cherry Balsamic
BBQ Pork with Mustard-Based Sauce
Ridiculous Mac N Cheese, Spicy Slaw, and Corn Fritters
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Coq Au Vin
Pearl Onions, Bacon, and Mashed Potatoes
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Roasted Leg of Lamb
Romesco Sauce, Turkish Spice, and Israeli Couscous with Confit Fennel
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Seared Ribeye Steaks
Roasted Potatoes with Salsa Verde & Crema, Carrots with Berbere Spice, and Green Goddess Salad
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Mapo Tofu (Available with No Meat, Also)
Shanghai Hot & Sour Soup with Shrimp, Coconut Mango Rice, and Baby Bok Choi with Sesame & Soy
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FRESHLY BAKED BREAD ALSO AVAILABLE
Sample Sweets
(Many Options for Vegan and GF Delights)
Dark Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce De Leche Filling
Almond & Cherry Mini-Cakes with Swiss Meringue and Cherry Jam\
Oatmeal Creme Pies - Even Better Than The Real Thing
Custom Cakes, Including Wedding
Blueberry Creme Brulee
Brown Butter Cookies with Pistachio & White Chocolate
Hand Pies with Fruit Filling of Your Choice
Maine Maple Syrup Cookies with Pecans
Grasshopper Pie
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Cupcakes - You Name It
Tiramisiu
Pavlova with Passionfruit Gelee and Hibiscus Whipped Cream
As previously stated, we are open to any and all requests - so don't be shy!
Also, a few ideas for Themed Dinners if that's what you're into!
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1. Around the World in One Night
Theme: A culinary journey through global cuisines. Menu Highlights:
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Appetizer: Mezze Plate featuring Middle Eastern flavors like baba ghanouj, muhammara, and whipped feta.
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Main Course: Thai-Style Braised Short Ribs with Coconut, served with kimchi fried rice and coconut-braised kale.
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Dessert: Pavlova with Passionfruit Gelee and Hibiscus Whipped Cream for a tropical finish. Add-ons: Wine pairings from different regions of the world to complement each course.
2. Coastal Elegance
Theme: A seafood-inspired dinner celebrating flavors from the ocean. Menu Highlights:
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Appetizer: Broiled Oysters with Nashville Hot Butter and Brioche Toasts with Lobster & Caviar.
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Main Course: Saffron Risotto with Lobster and Aleppo Chili, paired with Steamed Clams in Sake & Mirin.
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Dessert: Blueberry Crème Brûlée for a sweet Maine-inspired ending. Add-ons: Cigar selections for a post-dinner experience, with mild Connecticut wrappers to complement the seafood.
3. Rustic Mediterranean Feast
Theme: A celebration of Mediterranean flavors and ingredients. Menu Highlights:
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Appetizer: Turkish-Spiced Meatballs with Pomegranate Glaze and Heirloom Tomato Salad with Artisan Chèvre and Aged Balsamic.
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Main Course: Roasted Leg of Lamb with Romesco Sauce, Turkish Spice, and Israeli Couscous with Confit Fennel.
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Dessert: Almond & Cherry Mini-Cakes with Swiss Meringue and Cherry Jam. Add-ons: Wine service featuring bold reds and crisp whites from Mediterranean regions.
4. Tropical Escape
Theme: A vibrant dinner inspired by tropical flavors and island cuisine. Menu Highlights:
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Appetizer: Vietnamese Chicken Pho with Fresh Herbs and Mushrooms Stuffed with Boursin & Apricot.
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Main Course: Haitian-Style Braised Chicken with Epis, served with pigeon peas & rice and pikliz slaw.
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Dessert: Grasshopper Pie for a refreshing minty finish. Add-ons: Tropical cocktails like Mai Tais or Piña Coladas to enhance the island vibe.
5. Comfort Food Classics
Theme: A cozy dinner featuring elevated comfort food favorites. Menu Highlights:
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Appetizer: French Onion Soup with Gruyere Crisps and Chicken Nuggets with General Tso, Ranch, and Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce.
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Main Course: BBQ Pork with Mustard-Based Sauce, Ridiculous Mac N Cheese, Spicy Slaw, and Corn Fritters.
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Dessert: Oatmeal Crème Pies or Ice Cream Sandwiches for a nostalgic treat. Add-ons: Beer pairings or craft sodas to complement the hearty dishes.
6. Asian Fusion Night
Theme: A fusion of flavors from across Asia. Menu Highlights:
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Appetizer: Aromatic Thai Coconut Soup with Galangal, Lemongrass, Lime Leaves, and Mushrooms.
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Main Course: Mapo Tofu with Shanghai Hot & Sour Soup, Coconut Mango Rice, and Baby Bok Choi with Sesame & Soy.
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Dessert: Hand Pies with custom fruit fillings inspired by Asian flavors like lychee or mango. Add-ons: Sake pairings or Asian-inspired cocktails.
7. Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner
Theme: Celebrate seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Menu Highlights:
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Appetizer: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Sesame, Sage, and Crème Fraîche.
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Main Course: Roasted Chicken Thighs with Champagne Dijon Sauce, Hasselback Potatoes, and Tarragon-Glazed Carrots.
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Dessert: Maine Maple Syrup Cookies with Pecans or Tiramisu. Add-ons: Locally sourced wine or cider pairings.
8. Decadent Steakhouse Experience
Theme: A luxurious steakhouse-inspired dinner. Menu Highlights:
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Appetizer: Seared Scallops with Lemon & Tarragon Butter and Foie Gras Terrine with Black Truffle and Sauternes.
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Main Course: Seared Ribeye Steaks with Roasted Potatoes, Salsa Verde & Crema, Carrots with Berbere Spice, and Green Goddess Salad.
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Dessert: Dark Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Dulce de Leche Filling or Tiramisu. Add-ons: Premium wine pairings and cigar selections for a classic steakhouse vibe.
9. New England Comfort
Theme: A tribute to New England’s culinary heritage. Menu Highlights:
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Appetizer: New England-Style Fish Chowder with Miso, Dashi, and Cream.
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Main Course: Baked Cod with Ritz Crackers, Mashed Potatoes, and Garlic Butter Broccoli.
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Dessert: Blueberry Crème Brûlée or Maine Maple Syrup Cookies with Pecans. Add-ons: Local craft beer or cider pairings.
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What people say
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"I want to send you both, and your team, a HUGE thank you! Everyone you employed worked so professionally, it was the first time I didn't need to check on anything. In the beginning, when I did check on things, as I went to restock etc, your team already did it by the time I got back there. For example, when I was getting the bride upstairs for a speech/ tight timeline, and noticed there was popcorn all over the floor downstairs. Your team came to me to ask for a broom before I ever needed to address it or do it myself. What?? I've never experienced initiative like that. When I saw one plate remained at the Maine table and grabbed more plates, it was already restocked by the time I quickly returned. I was able to give into absolute trust and from then on, which was early, I got to focus solely on my job. In my position, that is quite rare and I was very grateful for that. The kitchen staff was always prepping or there to collect anything I brought to them and always asked if I needed anything. Again, amazing. Please let them all know how much they brought to the table and how professional they were while being fun and personable at the same time. Truly my favorite to work with since I started years ago and I wish I could work with them on every event. Dream Team.
FOOD: Thank you for providing one of the most incredible food experiences I've seen in my life. This is not an exaggeration. It was truly astounding, thoughtful and gorgeous. To create such quality in such quantity made my mouth drop and water at the same time. I also pride myself on a robust vocabulary but feel at a loss of words to describe how highly I felt about both nights. It was like an edible orchestra and the whole team was part of that as well."
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- Samantha Bowen, Wedding Planner
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To Inquire About Booking
Pricing structure is based on a per-head fee (determined by the details of the dinner) in addition to the cost of ingredients. We also require a non-refundable deposit upon setting a date