What to Expect When You Book Marrow Private Chefs

Marrow Private Chefs
4 days ago
5 min read

A behind-the-scenes look at our process, from inquiry to cleanup

Booking a private chef for the first time? It's natural to have questions. What's the booking process like? Will the chef really clean everything? How formal is the experience?

We've served over 2,500 private chef experiences on the Emerald Coast, and we've learned that the best events happen when guests know exactly what to expect. So let's walk through the entire Marrow experience — from your first inquiry to the moment we leave your kitchen spotless.

Phase 1: Inquiry & Booking

You Reach Out

Most guests find us through Google, Instagram, or word-of-mouth referrals. You browse our menus on our website and submit a reservation inquiry with your preferred date and basic details.

We Respond (Within 24 Hours)

You'll hear from us quickly — usually same-day, always within 24 hours. We'll:

Confirm availability for your date
Answer questions about menus or pricing
Provide a detailed proposal with all costs itemized

You Reserve Your Date

Once you're ready to move forward, we'll reserve your chef with a deposit. That's it — your chef is locked in for your evening.

All the other details can wait until closer to your event:

Final guest count
Menu customizations
Dietary restrictions
Exact timing preferences

You have up to 10 days before your event to finalize everything. We'll send reminders as your date approaches.

Phase 2: Pre-Event Planning

Finalizing Details (10 Days Before)

About 10 days before your event, we reach out to finalize:

Confirmed guest count
Any dietary restrictions or allergies
Menu adjustments or customizations
Arrival time and kitchen access
Vacation rental address and parking details

This is your window to make any adjustments. After this point, guest counts are locked and menu changes may incur fees.

Behind the Scenes

While you're preparing for your trip, we're:

Sourcing fresh ingredients from local suppliers
Confirming your chef team assignment
Prepping specialized components that benefit from advance work
Assembling our kitchen kit with everything we'll need

Phase 3: Event Day

Arrival (1 Hour Before Service)

Your chef arrives one hour before your scheduled service time with all ingredients, professional cookware, and serving equipment.

First 15 minutes:

Quick kitchen tour and orientation
We identify workspace, equipment, and storage
You introduce any guests with dietary needs
We answer last-minute questions

Then you're free to relax. Take a shower, enjoy a drink, spend time with your guests. We've got this.

Prep & Cooking

While you're getting ready, we're:

Prepping appetizers, proteins, and vegetables
Setting your table
Timing each course for perfect execution

Many guests love watching this process. We're happy to answer questions, explain techniques, and make the cooking part of the experience. If your kitchen is open to your dining area, embrace it.

Guests often tell us:

"The smells coming from the kitchen had everyone so excited."

"Watching the chef work was half the fun."

"The kids loved asking questions about the food."

Service (1-2 Hours)

When your guests are seated and ready, service begins.

Our service style:

Warm and professional (not stuffy)
Attentive but unobtrusive
Paced to your preferences

Each course:

Plated with care
Served simultaneously to all guests
Explained by your chef (ingredients, preparation, inspiration)
Timed to allow for conversation between courses

Wine service:

If you've requested our sommelier service, we'll pour and manage wine throughout the meal.

Dietary accommodations:

Guests with restrictions receive equally delicious modified dishes. We make it our mission to serve the perfect plate to every guest at the table.

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

Phase 4: Cleanup & Departure

We Clean Everything

This is one of the best parts: you don't clean a single dish.

While you enjoy your final course and linger at the table, we begin cleanup.

We clean:

Every pot, pan, and utensil we used
All prep surfaces and countertops
Stovetop and oven
Floors (swept and spot-cleaned)
Sink (scrubbed and empty)

We take out:

All trash and recycling
Packaging and food scraps
Our equipment and supplies

The result:

Your kitchen looks like we were never there — except for the lingering aromas of an incredible meal.

Guests often say:

"I couldn't believe how clean everything was."

"We just walked away from the table and relaxed."

We Depart

Before we leave:

Final check that everything is spotless
Pack all our equipment
Thank you for letting us be a part of your memory

What Makes Marrow Different

We're Locals (Not a National Service)

We live and work on the Emerald Coast. We know the best local suppliers, the seasonal rhythms, and the community. This isn't a side gig — it's our full-time business and our passion.

We're Consistent

Over 2,500 events and 600+ five-star reviews don't happen by accident. Every event gets the same attention to detail, the same culinary skill, the same warm hospitality.

We're Professional But Approachable

We take our cooking seriously, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. Our chefs are skilled professionals who also happen to be genuinely enjoyable to have in your home.

Guests describe us as:

"Professional but not stuffy."

"Friendly and approachable."

"Made us feel comfortable and taken care of."

We Use Quality Ingredients

We source from:

Gulf fishermen (fresh local catch)
Local grocers (seasonal produce)
Regional purveyors (premium proteins)
Specialty suppliers (artisan products)

Everything is made from scratch. We don't cut corners.

Common Surprises (The Good Kind)

Guests are often surprised by:

How clean we leave the kitchen — Spotless, every time
How relaxed the experience is — No stress, no cleanup, just enjoyment
How accommodating we are with dietary restrictions — Every guest gets a perfect plate
How flexible the booking process is — Lock in your date early, finalize details later
How simple payment is — We run your card the day after your meal, nothing for you to handle

After Your Event

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.

We Hope You'll Leave a Review

If you had a great experience, we'd be honored if you'd share it. Reviews help other guests discover us and make informed decisions.

You can leave reviews on:

Google (where we have 600+ five-star reviews)
Facebook
Instagram
Anywhere Else

Many Guests Rebook

A significant portion of our events are repeat guests — families who book us every year during their 30A vacation, or clients who return for multiple celebrations.