est 2016
Luxury Private Chef Services, Reimagined
French Magnolia offers elevated private chef services that go far beyond food—bringing restaurant-level cuisine, refined hospitality, and unforgettable experiences directly to your table.
A Few Things People Ask Us
People often reach out with similar questions when they’re thinking about a private chef. Here are a few of the ones we hear most.
What does a private chef do?
A private chef creates a personalized dining experience in your home or private setting. That usually includes menu planning, ingredient sourcing, cooking on-site, and leaving the kitchen clean at the end of the evening. The focus is on hospitality and care, not volume or speed.
How is a private chef different from catering?
Catering is designed to feed many people efficiently. Private chef work is designed to serve a specific group thoughtfully.
With a private chef, the menu is built around you, the food is prepared on-site, and the experience is paced like a meal, not a service line. It’s more personal, more flexible, and more intentional.
Do you cook in our home?
Yes. Most private chef experiences take place in the host’s home or private venue. We work with what’s available, plan ahead, and bring what’s needed to make the evening feel seamless.
What kinds of events are a good fit for your work?
We’re best suited for private dinners, chef’s table experiences, small celebrations, and boutique weddings. The common thread is that the gathering is intentional and hospitality-forward.
If the goal is volume or speed, we’re probably not the right fit. If the goal is a memorable experience around the table, we’re aligned.
Do you offer private chef services for weddings?
Yes, for select boutique and destination weddings.
This typically looks like rehearsal dinners, welcome dinners, or intimate wedding meals where the food and experience are meant to feel personal rather than catered. We take on a limited number of these each year.
How many guests can a private chef serve?
That depends on the type of experience and the space. Most private chef dinners are designed for smaller groups, where pacing and connection matter. We’ll talk through guest count early to make sure expectations are aligned.
Do you accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions?
Yes. Menus are planned in advance with dietary needs, allergies, and preferences in mind. The goal is for every guest at the table to feel cared for without drawing attention to accommodations.
Where do you offer private chef services?
We serve select areas of Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and Virginia, including Highlands, Cashiers, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Nashville, Knoxville, Roanoke, and Charlottesville. Travel beyond these areas may be considered for the right fit.
How far in advance should we book a private chef?
Availability varies by season, but reaching out early is always helpful — especially for weekends and special occasions. We take on a limited number of engagements so each one gets the attention it deserves.
What does working together usually start with?
It starts with a conversation. We’ll talk about the gathering, the setting, and what you want the experience to feel like. From there, we’ll decide together whether it’s a good fit before moving forward.
Is this a good fit if we’re “just looking for food”?
Probably not.
Our work is about the experience as a whole — the pacing, the table, the flow of the evening. If that matters to you, we’re a good match. If you’re simply looking to have food dropped off, there are better options.
Catering or Private Chef Services?
Most catering companies deliver food. We deliver an experience. French Magnolia Cooks is a luxury, in-home and destination dining company creating unforgettable, all-inclusive culinary and wine experiences across the Southeast.
Our exceptional Private Chef Services include curated menus to wine pairings and seamless service, our team creates moments your guests will talk about long after the last course. We bring the sophistication of fine dining restaurants, the intimacy of a private chef’s table, and the ease of full-service catering—directly to your home, venue, or destination. Wherever the table is, we arrive fully prepared to transform it into something extraordinary.
We like to call it the ultimate movable feast.
What Our Private Chef Services Include
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In-home fine dining experiences
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Boutique weddings & intimate celebrations
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Full-service luxury catering
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Chef-driven menus with wine pairings
trusted by thousands
recognized nationally
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Over 1,200 chef tables executed
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10,000+ guests served
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Emmy-winning culinary team
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Featured on PBS
Private Chef Services for
People Who Want More
quick glance
We recently had Chef Missy and her fabulous husband Thomas create a Chef's Table dinner party for my 50th birthday celebration with an intimate group of my girlfriends. What a treat to sit down to the most beautifully set table with flowers, candles and china. We loved learning about each wine from Thomas. His selections were perfectly paired to each course. Chef Missy prepared the most exquisite meal that my guests are still talking about! They were professional in their interactions before and during the evening and we all found them delightful to be with! The entire experience exceeded our expectations!
– Ruthann Ross
We did the chef's table experience at our home and Chef Missy made everything special, delicious, and best of all, I didn't have to lift a finger. Every course and wine pairing was exquisite. It was very educational and a dinner we will be talking about for years to come. Can't wait to do it again some time!
– Allie Turner
Chef Missy traveled to Blowing Rock, NC, to put on a fabulous brunch for my mother-in-law’s birthday. The food was outstanding, presentation just beautiful and learning all about champagne from her husband, Thomas Fraley, was an added bonus. My husband and I are looking forward to working with Chef Missy again in the future. She’s just the best!
– Abbey Sullivan
We had such an amazing night with Chef Missy and Thomas!! The food, the wine, the ambiance, and the laughter all made for an unforgettable experience! I can not recommend them enough!
– Christina Bare
I cant put into words how blessed our group was by Missy and Thomas. Our experience was so, so much more than food. They created an experience our group was changed by, and will never forget!
– Callie Hansen