Middle Eastern style Sharing menu

So you want to host a chef-catered dinner party in London. I did, for my 50th birthday, and it came off absolutely brilliantly thanks to Chef Charlotte. Here's some advice: 1. Obviously, rent the AirBNB/event space with the largest dining area. This will likely not be big enough, however, and you probably won't have enough place settings, silverware, wineglasses, etc. We only realized this in a call with Chef Charlotte, who recommended an event hire company from whom we rented an extra table, linens, wine glasses, etc. 2. Tell the AirBNB owner what you're doing before you reserve: I didn't really, and for the week leading up to the event was pretty stressed out that the owner would object or worse, send over the police! 3. Use HOMETAINMENT. Antoine Melon, the founder, is dedicated to making your event a success and will likely reach out to you personally--exactly the touch that will make the difference. Thanks Antoine! 4. You will probably end up working with the first chef who responds to your inquiry--in our case, fortuitously, Chef Charlotte. And you'll probably be fine with any of the HOMETAINMENT Chefs they're all professionals, after all. However, I would recommend that you at least wait to hear from Chef Charlotte, who I would wholeheartedly recommend. 5. Keep things (relatively) simple. While I'm sure she can cook anything, Chef Charlotte recommends a menu that she has likely cooked a hundred times and can probably do in her sleep. She adapted it to accommodate our dietary needs (some vegans, garlic intolerance) and added a personal favorite of mine, a cold spring veggie soup which was amazing. 6. An assistant chef/server is important, and I'd make sure that your chef will have one (Charlotte will). 7. And ultimately, relax and have a great time! Chef Charlotte is a total professional, great to work with, and most of all, cooked us an unforgettable meal: Passed canapés: Roasted aubergine with tomato and black olive tapenade Salmon gravlax, toasted rye, mustard and dill sauce Dorset crab tartlets First course: Spring vegetable soup, gremolata Second course: Ravioli of new season English green and white asparagus Main course: Herb crusted rack of Cotswold lamb, spring vegetables, potato gratin, lamb jus, served with risotto of spring vegetables, basil pesto, pine nut crumb Dessert: Apple tart tatin, home made vanilla ice cream Bon appetit! John Affleck Quincy, MA

Charlotte (and her assistant) were an excellent team to cater our dinner at home for 6 guests. Really responsive in the pre event communications and super flexible and helpful while designing the menu. Very calm and in control on the night and nothing was too much trouble. Food was exceptional, including a wonderful mango and passion fruit soufflé which was brilliantly done. Couldn’t recommend Charlotte more.

Fantastic service! We had Charlotte come to cook a delicious meal at the house we were celebrating my best friends hen do, and it was very professional and perfectly executed.

We booked Charlotte’s Bespoke Catering for our rehearsal dinner at Ardington House for 16 guests in September. Charlotte was so helpful, suggesting a variety of options for the meal and we found one that suited all our guests. The food was delicious. The food was raved about by all our guests all evening and the next day! Especially the starter and canapés! The portion sizes were generous but not overwhelming, service of food awas fantastic, the whole experience was really great value for money. We found the kitchen cleaner than when we gave it to her! 10/10 recommend time and time again!