Planning a birthday party? A wedding reception? A corporate event like a product launch?
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As the event organiser, a lot rides on your shoulders. It’s only natural to want everything to be perfect, from the atmosphere down to how the cutlery is arranged.
And of course, you can’t forget the food.
We here at Your Private Chef are big believers in the idea that good food can turn any sort of event into an Unforgettable Food Experience.
You’re stressed about creating the perfect event.
We’re eager to show off our gourmet menu.
Why not kill two birds with one stone?
Featured menu item
Mini charcoal slider w smoked salmon, dill & cream cheese (slider contains squid ink) from $4.88
A striking mini charcoal slider bun made with squid ink, filled with premium smoked salmon, smooth cream cheese and fresh dill. Light yet flavourful,
If you can’t rest easy about your event, put your mind at ease by arranging a taste test with Your Private Chef’s Melbourne caterers.
How can you make the most out of your taste testing session? What should you ask, and what should you look out for? We explain.
Let’s first have a chat
One of the biggest mistakes potential clients come to us with is not having a clear idea of what type of menu they want to offer at their event.
Going in blind does you no favours. Instead of being able to jump straight to asking specific questions about ingredients, presentation and substitutions, you’ll be wasting time establishing basic information.
Before you book your session, we invite you to give our office a call for an in depth chat about your event.
You don’t have to decide your menu, but having a chat is an excellent starting point where we can learn all about the type of event, the location you have in mind, a rough number of guests, and your budget.
Not only does this give you an opportunity to really explore your event, it helps us immeasurably, too!
This is exactly why the vast majority of caterers try to uncover these important details prior to the taste test. You’re busy – so let’s get it right!
Once we’ve had a chat, we can propose a menu and package specially tailored to your needs. This is a great starting point for your tasting session with Chef David!
Come with questions
This one might sound like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised how many people turn up to a taste test with nothing more than an empty stomach.
Before you walk through the door, make sure you know exactly what you want to come out knowing. Are you most interested in:
Featured menu item
Condiment: Smoke Chipotle Aioli – 220ml from $13.3
Smoked Chipotle Spiced Mexican dipping sauce
- Food quality?
- Presentation?
- Menu variety and options?
- Additional services (more on those below)?
- Cost?
- Logistics?
On a related note, come with a rough plan of how you want your event to play out. Your caterer will want to understand exactly how you plan on executing your function – they might want to further explore:
- Venue (including their kitchen facilities)
- Guest demographics (kids, corporates, etc.)
- Set-up, styling, and theme
If you haven’t made your mind up yet, don’t sweat it… but if you do, feel free to bring it.
It takes two – bring a family member or trusted friend!
Some people are picky eaters. Others will hoover up anything on a plate.
It’s always good to get a second opinion – especially if you’ll be hosting 50, 100, or 1000 guests! What tickles your inner foodie might not fly with your other guests, after all.
An extra palette is almost a non-negotiable for a tasting session, in our opinion!
We recommend bringing one friend or family member along. We’ll even credit back the cost of two guests, should you book us!
We recommend bringing no more than 3 others with you, as too many opinions can make it harder to reach a decision (you know they saying: Too many cooks spoil the broth!)
Investigate the extras: wait staff
For larger celebrations, choosing wait staff to help run and manage your event is one of the smartest things you can do.
From on-site chefs to wait staff and bartenders, Your Private Chef’s complete catering experience delivers more than just food.
If you’re planning on adding table service to your event, be sure to bring this up during your session. Based on your guest numbers, we can help you choose the right amount of wait staff and bar staff to help make your event run like clockwork.
Featured menu item
Spring Racing Grazing Collection – Cold Canape Station – 10 pieces (Substantial meal, min 15) from $46
Choose a selection of our premier signature canapes to create your table. Delivered in our stylish disposable craft platters 10 pieces is a main meal
Investigate the extras: event styling and decor
When caterers set up tasting sessions, many focus solely on the taste part of the taste test.
Needless to say, presentation is a big deal – did you know that appearance directly influences our perception of taste?
To get the most value from your tasting session, take the opportunity to discover how your caterer will go above and beyond to deliver a complete event experience.
Investigate:
- How they can set up dining tables, food stations, and drink and dessert stands
- How they can plate your food (shared or sit-down)
- How they work with venues to ensure your vision is brought to life
- If they can help out with entertainment like lighting, A/V, and music
- Examples of events they’ve designed and styled in the past
No matter the occasion, our event stylists will help you find the perfect aesthetic for your big day – be sure to ask us about event styling for your celebration!
We Deliver Across Melbourne
From our Caulfield kitchen, we deliver catering to suburbs all across Melbourne — including Hillside · Princes Hill · Abbotsford · Armadale · Park Orchards · Essendon West and dozens more.
And finally… come relaxed and ready to have fun!
The point of a taste testing session is to get a sneak peak of the culinary delights our talented chefs can whip up for you.
And in our experience, nothing kills the appetite and taste buds quicker than stress!
Searching for Melbourne caterers?
Get in touch with Your Private Chef!
Sit down with our head chef David at our Prahran kitchen for a preview of our huge menu. Best of all, if you choose Your Private Chef for your event catering, the cost of your session for two people will be credited towards your event.
Call us now on 0497 333 100 or contact our friendly event team here to organise that all-important chat before booking in your tasting session with Chef David.
Please note that Your Private Chef only offers tasting sessions for parties of 50 and above.
Browse the menu
See all Event Catering options
Full menu, packages, and pricing — cooked fresh in our Caulfield kitchen and delivered ready to serve.
How Your Private Chef Helps You with Event Catering
If you’re planning Event Catering in Melbourne and want it handled properly, we make it straightforward. You tell us about your event — guest count, date, location, dietary needs — and we design a custom menu around your guests. Our chefs cook everything in our Caulfield commercial kitchen and we deliver it beautifully presented in eco-friendly platters, ready to serve.
You don’t need to source ingredients, hire a chef, or worry about cleanup. You take the lid off, use your own tongs, and serve. For larger events (typically 80+), we can also arrange chafing dishes, grazing styling, and service staff — quoted separately based on your event.
We’ve spent fourteen years catering Melbourne events — corporate functions, weddings, milestone celebrations, family dinners, and everything in between. Over two thousand events served, four hundred verified customer reviews, full public liability and food safety compliance. The food is the same restaurant-grade craft every time, because our chefs stay in the kitchen rather than getting shipped to events one at a time.
Get in Touch with Your Private Chef
Ready to discuss your event? Get a custom menu and quote in one business day — no obligation. We’ll ask about your guests, your venue, your dietary needs, and your preferences, and we’ll come back with a tailored plan.
Call or text: 0497 333 100
Email: info@yourprivatechef.com.au
Caulfield kitchen pickup or delivery across Melbourne.
