When people picture a private chef at work, they often imagine a sleek, high end kitchen with marble worktops, professional ovens, and a whole team backing them up. The reality? Well, it is a little more… creative. One of the things I love most about this job is that it takes you places you would never expect to cook. And I mean that literally.
As a private chef in Cornwall, I have prepped, cooked, and served in some of the most unexpected spots imaginable. From castles to caravans, from clifftop tents to tiny Airbnbs with one ring and a dodgy toaster oven, I have seen it all. And somehow, the food still finds a way to shine.
The Castle Job
Let’s start with the big one. I once got booked to cook a private tasting menu for a wedding anniversary at a restored fifteenth century castle in Cornwall. The brief was simple: a luxurious five course dinner with wine pairings, served in the candlelit great hall. Sounds like something out of a film, right?
Except when I arrived, I realised the “kitchen” was essentially a glorified scullery. No oven, one induction hob, and a single plug socket I had to share with the lights. I ended up cooking half the menu on a portable burner outside the back door while dodging bats and sea mist.
But the vibe? Unreal. Roasted scallops with burnt apple purée, venison loin with parsnip and blackberry, a salted caramel tart that nearly brought someone to tears. It all came together, and the setting made it unforgettable.
The Campsite Feast
Then there was the time I was booked for a birthday dinner on a family glamping site. The client wanted a private chef experience, but also wanted to keep it rustic. So there I was, prepping beef short ribs and grilled halloumi under a tarpaulin while the family toasted marshmallows ten feet away.
I brought my own barbecue grill, used a coolbox for my fridge, and had to finish the sauce inside a tent with a head torch on. Not ideal. But honestly, one of the most joyful jobs I have ever done. Kids running around barefoot, parents sipping wine in deckchairs, and plates being handed out from a makeshift pass on a folding table. Pure magic.
Kitchenette Chaos
Sometimes it is not the location that is wild, it is the lack of space. I have cooked in studio flats where the only prep area was a chopping board on top of the washing machine. I have worked in holiday lets where the oven takes thirty minutes to reach a temperature that still will not roast a carrot. I have even had to ask clients if I could use their iron to seal sous vide bags once. True story.
But this is the thing about private dining. It teaches you to adapt. To think fast. To pack smart. I always bring my own knives, a blowtorch, and emergency pans. You learn to be resourceful, and you learn to laugh. Because if you cannot laugh when you are peeling Jerusalem artichokes in a bathroom sink, you are in the wrong game.
Luxury Meets Improvisation
On the flip side, I have had the chance to cook in some absolutely jaw dropping spaces. Think clifftop glass houses, beachfront lodges, and private villas with infinity pools. And yes, sometimes the kitchens are incredible. But even in those dream venues, things go wrong. The fancy combi oven has a dodgy sensor. The gas hob leaks. The fridge is full of the client’s leftover takeaway.
So you find the middle ground. You keep calm, adjust the plan, and focus on the food. Because when it lands on the table and the guests go quiet for that first bite, it does not matter where you cooked it. What matters is that you cared, you adapted, and you nailed it.
The Core Lesson
Being a private chef is not about having the perfect setup. It is about creating perfect moments, no matter the setup. It is about bringing fine dining energy into whatever space you walk into and making it feel special. Whether that is a candlelit castle or a campsite in the drizzle, the goal is always the same—serve food that people will remember.
That is what I bring to every private dining experience. Not just the food, but the flexibility, the humour, and the absolute refusal to let a dodgy hob stop the magic. If anything, those challenges make the wins feel even better.
Ready for an Unforgettable Experience?
If you want to experience private dining in your space—whatever that looks like—I would love to cook for you. From romantic dinners to big celebrations, I bring the same passion and creativity to every setting.
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See you at the table 🍽️