How to Plan a Private Chef Dinner in Your 30A Vacation Rental

Everything you need to know to make your private dining experience seamless and unforgettable

You've booked the perfect beach house on 30A. The views are stunning, your family or friends are gathering, and you want to create a special dining experience without the hassle of restaurant reservations and crowded dining rooms.

A private chef dinner is the perfect solution — but if you've never booked one before, you might have questions. How does it work? What do you need to prepare? How do you choose the right menu?

Here's everything you need to know to plan a flawless private chef experience in your vacation rental.

Step 1: Book Early (But Last-Minute is Sometimes Possible)

Ideal booking timeline:

• Peak season (March-September): 4-6 weeks in advance

• Off-season: 2-3 weeks in advance

• Holidays: 2-3 months in advance

We do accommodate last-minute requests (even 48 hours out) when our schedule allows. If your vacation is coming up quickly, reach out — we'll do our best to make it work.

Worth considering: Many guests book their private chef dinner on the same day they book their rental. Popular dates fill up fast, especially spring break, spring and fall weekends, and holidays.

Step 2: Reserve Your Date

Once you've selected your preferred date, we'll confirm availability and reserve your chef with a deposit. That's it — your chef is locked in for your evening.

All the other details can wait:

• Final guest count

• Menu selections and customizations

• Dietary restrictions and allergies

• Exact timing preferences

You have up to 10 days before your event to finalize everything. We'll send reminders as your date approaches, and you can adjust details at your convenience. Once your deposit is in, the hard part is done.

Step 3: Choose Your Menu (Or Create a Custom One)

We offer curated seasonal menus designed to showcase the best of Emerald Coast cuisine, along with menu packages featuring traditional and approachable flavors for guests with all types of palates.

For special occasions:

• Tasting Menu — Multi-course chef's choice progression

• Signature Private Chef Menu — Four-course tasting experience

• Chophouse Dinner — Steakhouse classics with jumbo lump crab cakes

For casual gatherings:

• Southern Supper — Elevated comfort food

• Taco Feast — Gourmet taco bar

• Italian Dinner — Handmade lasagna and rustic Italian flavors

Not sure what to choose? Consider:

• Occasion: Celebration vs. casual family dinner

• Guest preferences: Adventurous eaters vs. traditional tastes

• Service style: Plated courses vs. family-style

Want something unique? We love creating custom menus. Share your vision and we'll design something specifically for you.

Step 4: Share Dietary Restrictions

We make it our mission to serve the perfect plate to every guest at the table. That's why we encourage you to share any and all dietary restrictions for anyone in your group.

Our menus are specifically crafted to be malleable and adjustable for common dietary restrictions. Choose your menu based on what sounds best to you and the majority of your group — we'll tailor individual portions for guests with specific needs.

We regularly accommodate:

• Food allergies (including severe reactions)

• Gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free

• Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian

• Religious dietary requirements

• Texture preferences or preparation aversions

If we need to make a broader menu adjustment, one of our team members will reach out to discuss options and modify the menu together.

Pro tip: If restrictions are extensive or involve severe allergies, mention them early. It helps us plan and may influence your menu selection.

Step 5: Prepare Your Vacation Rental

Any fully functioning home kitchen provides what we need to prepare and serve our menus.

What we bring:

• All groceries and ingredients

• All cookware and cooking utensils

• Napkins for the table

• Plates and silverware (if needed)

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What we use from your rental:

• Plates and silverware (we generally plan to use what's in the home, but can provide our own if necessary)

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What we ask from you:

• Tidy kitchen with plenty of workspace

• All dishes clean and ready for use

• Empty dishwasher (so we can load as we go)

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You don't need to set the table — our chefs will take care of that.

Optional upgrades: If you'd like us to provide upscale serving ware, specialty linens, or other items, just ask.

Step 6: Plan Your Timing

We arrive one hour prior to your selected service time. This gives us all the time we need to set up, prepare the meal, and set the table.

Total time on site: 2-3 hours from arrival to departure

Sample timelines:

• Lunch service at 12:30 PM: Chef arrives at 11:30 AM, departs around 2:00 PM

• Dinner service at 6:30 PM: Chef arrives at 5:30 PM, departs around 8:30 PM

• Late dinner service at 7:30 PM: Chef arrives at 6:30 PM, departs around 9:30 PM

Coordinate with your group's schedule:

• Beach time or activities

• Time to shower and get ready

• Pre-dinner drinks and socializing

• Comfortable arrival window for all guests

Step 7: Set the Atmosphere (Optional)

These are all things you can do to prepare the space if you like, but you certainly don't have to. One of the great things about hiring a private chef at the beach is you can have dinner with sand still on your feet if you like. No shoes required.

If you want to elevate the ambiance:

• Music: Create a playlist or streaming station

• Lighting: Dim overhead lights, add candles

• Table setting: Fresh flowers, nice linens, place cards

• Temperature: Pre-cool or warm the space to your preference

Pro tip: Many guests love watching the chef work. If your kitchen is open to the dining area, embrace it. Ask questions, enjoy the aromas, and make the cooking process part of the experience.

Step 8: Day-of Coordination

On the day of your event:

Before the chef arrives:

• Clear kitchen counters and workspace

• Empty the dishwasher (if you have one)

• Take out any trash

• Tidy the kitchen

When the chef arrives:

• Brief kitchen tour and orientation

• Introduce any guests with dietary restrictions

• Let us handle the rest

During service:

• Relax and enjoy

• Feel free to ask questions about dishes

• Let us know if you want to adjust pacing

• We'll coordinate with your schedule

After service:

• The kitchen will be spotless

• All equipment packed and removed

• Trash taken out

• Surfaces cleaned and sanitized

Step 9: Consider Add-Ons

Enhance your experience with:

• Wine pairings: Sommelier-selected wines for each course

• Cocktail hour: Passed appetizers before dinner

• Specialty cocktails: Craft drinks or signature cocktails

• Bartending service: Let us bring a professional mixologist to craft cocktails from your bar

• Extended service: Additional courses or after-dinner service

• Kids' menu: Separate meal for children

Step 10: Final Payment

We'll run your credit card on file the day following your meal. There's nothing you need to do. If you've made alternative payment arrangements, we'll have already accounted for those as well.

Simply relax and savor the time with your guests.

Common Questions We Hear

Q: What if my rental doesn't have a well-equipped kitchen?

A: We bring what we need. As long as you have a stove, oven, and sink, we can make it work.

Q: Can you accommodate a very picky eater?

A: Absolutely. We've handled everything from kids who only eat plain pasta to adults with extensive texture aversions.

Q: What if we want to eat outside on the deck?

A: Perfect! We'll set up wherever you'd like to dine.

Q: Do you bring your own plates and utensils?

A: We typically use what's in the home, but we can bring our own if needed.

Q: What if someone has a severe allergy?

A: We take allergies very seriously. We use separate prep areas and equipment, and we're trained in allergen management.

Why Vacation Rentals Are Perfect for Private Chef Experiences

Restaurants are great, but there's something special about dining in your own space:

• No commute — No driving, parking, or waiting

• Privacy — Just your group, no crowded dining rooms

• Comfort — Kids can move around, dress code is relaxed

• Pacing — Service moves at your preferred speed

• Atmosphere — Your music, your vibe, your space

• Memories — It becomes part of your vacation story

Many of our guests make private chef dinners an annual tradition during their 30A vacations. Once you experience it, you'll understand why.

Ready to Book Your Private Chef Experience?

Planning a private chef dinner is simpler than you think. Reserve your date, finalize the details at your convenience, and let us handle everything else.

Browse our menus and reserve your date today.

View Our Menus | Book Now

Marrow Private Chefs — Serving 30A, Destin, and the Emerald Coast since 2018.