Handling Dietary Restrictions with a Private Chef

One of the most common concerns when booking a private chef: Will you be able to accommodate dietary restrictions?

The short answer is yes. We've prepared meals for guests with gluten allergies, dairy intolerances, vegetarian preferences, shellfish allergies, and dozens of other restrictions. After 2,500+ events, we've never had an incident of cross-contamination or a guest becoming ill.

Here's how we handle dietary restrictions, what you need to know when booking, and why private chef service is often easier than dining out for guests with allergies or preferences.

Why Private Chef Service Works Well for Dietary Restrictions

We Plan Around Your Needs

When you book with us, dietary restrictions are documented upfront—not discovered when you arrive at the restaurant and realize half the menu is off-limits.

We build the menu with your restrictions in mind, adjusting proteins, sauces, and sides to accommodate your group's needs.

We Control the Kitchen

In a restaurant, cross-contamination is a risk. Shared cutting boards, utensils, and cooking surfaces can expose allergens to dishes that are supposed to be allergen-free.

In our commercial kitchen and in your vacation rental, we control every surface, every utensil, and every ingredient. If someone in your group has a severe allergy, we take rigid precautions to eliminate cross-contamination.

One Meal, Multiple Accommodations

If your group of 10 includes one guest who's gluten-free, one who's vegetarian, and one with a shellfish allergy, we don't make you choose between three separate restaurants or resign yourself to a generic menu that satisfies no one.

We prepare a single cohesive meal that accommodates all restrictions without anyone feeling like an afterthought.

Common Dietary Restrictions We Accommodate

Gluten-Free

Gluten-free accommodations are straightforward. We substitute gluten-free flour in baked goods, use gluten-free pasta, and avoid breading or roux-based sauces.

Most of our menus are naturally gluten-free or can be easily adapted. Proteins, vegetables, and sauces made from scratch rarely contain gluten unless we're specifically adding it.

Dairy-Free

Dairy-free adjustments often involve swapping butter for olive oil or using coconut cream instead of heavy cream. We can also eliminate cheese from dishes without compromising flavor.

Some sauces (like beurre blanc) are butter-forward, so we replace them with olive oil-based sauces or citrus reductions.

Vegetarian

We can prepare fully vegetarian menus or adjust existing menus to include vegetarian options. This might mean swapping a protein for a vegetable-forward dish or building a custom vegetarian tasting menu.

Our chefs are experienced in creating vegetarian dishes that feel substantial and satisfying—not just "the meat dish without the meat."

Vegan

Vegan accommodations require more planning, but we've prepared vegan menus for dozens of events. This often involves building a custom menu from scratch to ensure every component—from stocks to sauces to desserts—is plant-based.

Advance notice is especially important for vegan menus, as sourcing and prep take additional time.

Shellfish Allergy

Shellfish allergies are serious, and we treat them accordingly. If someone in your group has a shellfish allergy, we eliminate all shellfish from the menu and take precautions to prevent cross-contamination.

This includes using separate cutting boards, utensils, and cookware for that guest's meal.

Nut Allergy

Nut allergies are another area where we take no chances. If someone has a nut allergy, we eliminate all nuts from the menu and avoid cross-contamination by using dedicated equipment.

We also check all packaged ingredients to ensure they weren't processed in facilities that handle nuts.

Other Allergies and Intolerances

We've accommodated dozens of other restrictions: soy allergies, egg allergies, nightshade intolerances, low-sodium diets, diabetic-friendly meals, and more.

If you have a restriction that's not listed here, let us know when you book. We'll work with you to find a solution.

How to Communicate Dietary Restrictions

Share Them When You Book

The earlier you share dietary restrictions, the better. Ideally, mention them during your initial inquiry so we can factor them into the menu planning process.

Be Specific

"Gluten-free" is clear. "Trying to eat healthier" is not.

The more specific you are about the restriction—whether it's an allergy, an intolerance, a preference, or a religious dietary requirement—the better we can accommodate it.

Mention Severity

If the restriction is a life-threatening allergy (like anaphylaxis from shellfish or nuts), let us know. We treat severe allergies with extra precautions, including dedicated equipment and rigorous cross-contamination protocols.

If it's a preference (like "I don't love mushrooms"), we can adjust without the same level of rigor.

Confirm 10 Days Before

We ask all guests to confirm dietary restrictions 10 days before the event. This is when we finalize the menu and order ingredients.

If a restriction comes up inside the 10-day window, we'll do our best to accommodate, but advance notice makes it easier.

How We Prevent Cross-Contamination

Separate Prep Areas

If someone in your group has a severe allergy, we prep their meal in a separate area of the kitchen using dedicated cutting boards, knives, and utensils.

Separate Cookware

Allergen-free meals are cooked in separate pans and pots. We don't use shared cooking surfaces unless they've been thoroughly cleaned.

Labeled Containers

In our commercial kitchen, allergen-free components are labeled and stored separately to prevent accidental cross-contamination.

Final Plating

Allergen-free meals are plated last and kept separate from other dishes until they're served. This minimizes the risk of cross-contact during service.

What If the Restriction Is Discovered Last-Minute?

Ideally, dietary restrictions are shared upfront. But sometimes a guest joins the group at the last minute, or a restriction is mentioned on the day of the event.

Inside the 10-Day Window

If you let us know about a restriction inside the 10-day window, we'll adjust the menu if possible. This may involve swapping a dish or modifying preparation methods.

Day-Of Restrictions

If a restriction is mentioned on the day of the event, we'll do our best to accommodate it with the ingredients and equipment we've brought. However, options are limited at this point.

For severe allergies discovered day-of, we may not be able to safely accommodate the guest. This is why early communication is critical.

When Accommodations Are Difficult

Some restrictions are easier to accommodate than others. Here's where we run into challenges:

Prefixed Menus with Complex Restrictions

Our Select menus (Tex Mex, Italian, Southern Supper) are prefixed, meaning they're designed to be executed as-is with minimal changes.

If someone in your group has a complex restriction that requires significant menu changes, we can usually accommodate it—but there may be an additional charge.

For groups with multiple complex restrictions, a custom menu is often the better path.

Vegan Guests at Non-Vegan Events

If most of your group is eating a meat-forward menu and one guest is vegan, we can prepare a separate vegan meal for that guest. However, this requires advance planning.

If the vegan guest is added last-minute, options may be limited.

Allergies That Affect the Entire Menu

If someone has an allergy to an ingredient that's central to the menu (like a garlic allergy for an Italian dinner), we may need to adjust the entire menu or suggest a different menu option.

This is another reason why early communication is important.

Dietary Restrictions vs. Preferences

There's a difference between an allergy and a preference, and it affects how we handle accommodations.

Allergies and Intolerances

These are medical conditions that require strict adherence. Cross-contamination can cause illness, so we take rigid precautions.

Preferences

Preferences (like "I don't eat red meat" or "I'm not a fan of cilantro") are easier to accommodate but don't require the same level of cross-contamination protocol.

Religious Dietary Requirements

Religious dietary requirements (kosher, halal, etc.) fall somewhere in between. We take them seriously and adjust menus accordingly, but the level of accommodation depends on the specific requirement.

For fully kosher or halal meals, we may not be able to meet all requirements due to equipment and sourcing limitations. It's best to discuss this when you book.

Why Private Chef Service Is Often Easier Than Dining Out

Restaurants Have Limited Options

Even restaurants with allergen-friendly menus often have only 1-2 options that work for specific restrictions. Private chef service gives you a full meal tailored to your needs.

Cross-Contamination Risk Is Higher

In a busy restaurant kitchen, cross-contamination is harder to control. Shared fryers, cutting boards, and cooking surfaces increase risk.

With private chef service, we control every surface and every ingredient.

You Don't Have to Explain Your Restrictions Multiple Times

At a restaurant, you explain your allergy to the server, who explains it to the kitchen, who may or may not execute it correctly.

With us, you explain it once when you book, and we handle the rest.

Our Food Safety Record

After 2,500+ events, we've never had an incident of a guest becoming ill due to cross-contamination or mishandling of dietary restrictions.

This record is the result of:

• Rigid food safety protocols

• Experienced chefs who understand allergen management

• Clear communication with guests upfront

• Separate prep areas and equipment for allergen-free meals

We don't take shortcuts when it comes to food safety.

What to Do If You Have a Restriction

Mention It When You Book

The earlier you share dietary restrictions, the more seamlessly we can accommodate them.

Be Specific and Detailed

Let us know the severity, the specific restriction, and whether it's an allergy, intolerance, or preference.

Confirm 10 Days Before

We'll ask you to confirm all dietary restrictions 10 days before the event. This is when we finalize the menu and source ingredients.

Trust the Process

We've handled hundreds of dietary restrictions. If we can accommodate your needs, we'll tell you. If we can't, we'll be upfront about limitations.

Private Chef Service for Guests with Restrictions

If you or someone in your group has dietary restrictions, private chef service is often the best option for vacation dining.

You get a full meal tailored to your needs, prepared in a controlled environment, with no risk of miscommunication or cross-contamination.

No settling for the one "safe" option on the menu. No explaining your allergy to three different people. No wondering if the kitchen actually followed your instructions.

Just a meal designed around your group—restrictions included.

Explore our menus or reach out to discuss dietary accommodations.