How to Prepare Your Vacation Rental for a Private Chef

You've booked a private chef for your vacation rental. The date is set, the menu is designed, and your chef will arrive to prepare everything. The philosophy is simple: you shouldn't have to lift a finger.

Private chef service is about removing every bit of work from your evening. We bring everything we need, handle every detail, and leave your kitchen spotless. Here's what to expect and the minimal preparation required on your end.

What We Bring (Almost Everything)

Private chef service means we arrive fully equipped. You're not expected to provide cooking tools, ingredients, or specialty equipment.

What we bring to every event:

• All ingredients for your meal

• All pots, pans, and cookware needed for your menu

• All cooking utensils and implements

• Temperature-controlled coolers (we don't need your refrigerator space)

• Specialty equipment (sous vide circulators, smoking guns, plating tools, etc.)

• Linen-like napkins for your table

• Everything required to execute your menu from start to finish

You're not stocking your kitchen for us. You're not making space in your fridge. You're not hunting for the right pan. We bring it all.

What You Need to Provide (The Basics)

Your vacation rental needs to have a few essentials, but the list is short.

Working appliances:

• Stove and oven: Both need to function. If your rental has a gas range, make sure you know how to turn it on and that the pilot light works.

• Dishwasher (helpful but not required): Speeds up cleanup. If your rental has one, we'll use it.

Clean table settings for your group:

• Plates (dinner plates, and additional plates for salad or dessert if you're serving multiple courses)

• Silverware (forks, knives, spoons)

• Glassware (water glasses, wine glasses if you're serving wine)

We'll handle setting the table when we arrive, as long as these items are clean and accessible. You don't need to arrange place settings or fold napkins. We take care of that.

Adequate counter space:

Clear workspace so we can prep, plate, and organize. If your rental has a kitchen island, that's ideal.

A trash can with a liner:

We generate waste during prep and cleanup. Easy trash access keeps things efficient.

That's it. If your rental has these basics, you're ready.

What You DON'T Need to Provide

Because we bring our own equipment, you don't need to worry about the following.

You don't need to provide:

• Pots, pans, or cookware

• Cooking utensils or cutting boards

• Specialty tools or equipment

• Refrigerator or freezer space for our ingredients

• Napkins (we bring linen-like napkins)

• Salt, pepper, or seasonings

• Cooking oils or pantry staples

We're self-sufficient. Your rental's kitchen could be minimally stocked, and we'd still execute your menu flawlessly.

Preparing Your Rental Before We Arrive

The prep work on your end is minimal. A few simple steps ensure we can move quickly when we arrive.

Clear counter space:

Move small appliances, decorative items, and personal belongings off the counters. We need room to work, and a clear workspace prevents accidents.

Make sure appliances work:

Turn on the oven to confirm it heats. Check that stove burners ignite. If your rental has a dishwasher, run it once to make sure it's functional. If something's broken, contact your property manager immediately. We can often adapt, but advance notice helps.

Have clean table settings accessible:

Make sure plates, silverware, and glassware are clean and easy to find. We'll set the table when we arrive, but we need to know where things are.

Empty the dishwasher (if applicable):

If your rental has a dishwasher, empty it before we arrive. We'll refill it during cleanup.

These steps take 10-15 minutes. That's the extent of your prep work.

We Handle Table Setting

One of the most common questions we get: "Do I need to set the table before you arrive?"

No. That's our job.

As long as you have clean plates, silverware, and glassware, we'll set the table for you when we arrive. We bring linen-like napkins. We arrange place settings. We make sure everything is ready before your guests sit down.

This is part of the ethos: quiet luxury without having to lift a finger. You shouldn't be folding napkins or counting forks. You should be enjoying your vacation while we handle the details.

If you want a specific table arrangement — name cards, flowers, candles — feel free to add those touches yourself. But the functional setup? That's on us.

What Happens on the Day of Service

Here's the timeline from our arrival to departure.

Arrival (approximately 1 hour before your requested service time):

We arrive with everything we need in tow. Ingredients in temperature-controlled coolers. Pots, pans, and tools. Linen-like napkins. We unload, assess the kitchen, and get to work.

If you're around, we'll say hello and confirm any last-minute details. Otherwise, we go straight into prep.

We set the table:

While one chef preps in the kitchen, another sets the table. Plates arranged. Silverware placed. Napkins folded. Glassware positioned. Your table is ready before the first course is served.

Prep and cooking (30-60 minutes):

We prep ingredients, start cooking, and plate dishes. You're welcome to watch if you're interested. Some guests enjoy sitting at the kitchen island with a drink, asking questions about techniques or ingredients. Others prefer to relax elsewhere. Either is fine.

Service begins (at your exact requested time):

If you booked a 7 p.m. dinner, the first course hits the table at 7 p.m. Precision timing is part of the service. We're never late.

Courses are paced to your group:

We read the room. If everyone's deep in conversation, we let the course linger. If you're ready to move forward, we adjust. The meal flows naturally.

Cleanup (15-30 minutes after dessert):

We handle complete kitchen cleanup. Dishes washed or loaded in the dishwasher. Counters wiped down. Trash removed. We leave the kitchen as clean as (or cleaner than) we found it.

Departure:

Once cleanup is finished, we pack up and leave. You're free to enjoy the rest of your evening without a single dish to wash.

What If Your Rental Has Issues?

Not all vacation rental kitchens are perfect. Here's how we handle common problems.

Small refrigerators:

Not an issue. We bring ingredients in temperature-controlled coolers and don't need your fridge space.

Limited or mismatched cookware:

Also not an issue. We bring our own pots, pans, and tools. Your rental's cookware doesn't matter.

Broken or missing appliances:

If the oven or stove doesn't work, that's a problem. Test appliances before we arrive and contact your property manager if something's broken. We can sometimes adapt (using a grill, for example), but we need advance notice.

Inadequate table settings:

Rentals sometimes don't have enough plates or silverware for large groups. Count your settings before we arrive. If you're short, let us know and we can bring extras.

Outdoor kitchens:

Many 30A rentals have outdoor kitchens with grills and burners. These work beautifully for private chef service, especially in good weather. Let us know when you book if you have one.

What If Your Rental Doesn't Have a Full Kitchen?

Some 30A rentals — particularly condos or smaller cottages — have kitchenettes instead of full kitchens. A mini-fridge, microwave, and hot plate won't support full private chef service.

For rentals without full kitchens:

We offer delivery meals prepared in our commercial kitchen and delivered hot and ready to eat. No cooking on-site required. Just food delivered at your requested time.

If you're unsure whether your rental kitchen works for private chef service, send us photos when you book. We'll confirm whether it's adequate or recommend delivery instead.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

A few small things make the day-of experience even better.

Communicate dietary restrictions early:

Let us know about allergies or dietary needs when you book. Last-minute restrictions are harder to accommodate.

Be clear about timing:

Tell us your preferred start time when you book. We build the prep schedule around it. If you want the first course at 7 p.m., we'll be there at 6 p.m. to prep.

Ask questions before we arrive:

If you're unsure about anything — what we need, how service works, what to expect — reach out before the day of service. We'd rather answer questions in advance than address confusion when we arrive.

Enjoy the experience:

Private chef service is designed to be effortless. You shouldn't feel stressed or worried about whether you've done enough. If your rental has working appliances, clean table settings, and clear counter space, you're ready.

The Philosophy: You Shouldn't Lift a Finger

The entire point of private chef service is that you don't have to do anything.

You're not prepping your kitchen. You're not stocking ingredients. You're not setting the table. You're not washing dishes. You're showing up, sitting down, and enjoying a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your vacation rental.

That's quiet luxury. That's what we deliver.

Planning Your Private Chef Experience

Most 30A vacation rentals are ready for private chef service with almost no preparation. Clear counters, working appliances, and clean table settings. That's the checklist.

If you're unsure whether your rental works, reach out when you book. We'll confirm everything is ready or suggest alternatives.

Explore our menu options to see what we create, or learn more about our approach to private chef service on the Emerald Coast.

Reserve your experience and let us handle everything.