Easter Feast at Home: A delicious, stress-free celebration with a private chef

Easter is a time for family,  spiritual reflection, and, of course, delicious food. What could be better than gathering your loved ones around the table for a home-cooked Easter feast? 

And it doesn’t have to be exhausting, hiring a private chef to prepare a memorable meal in the comfort of your own home can take out the stress of cooking and make your Easter Sunday a pleasurable one with family and friends.

Chef Geoffrey Tumukunde - an Africa award-winning chef, shares everything you need to know to ensure a smooth,  enjoyable experience.

Communicate with the chef 

To ensure your chef creates a flawless Easter celebration, It’s important to discuss the specifics: when you want the meal, how many guests you will have, dietary preferences, allergies, and the type of meal you would like to have whether brunch, lunch, or dinner. Clear communication ensures everyone’s needs are met.

Set the scene 

Make your space chef-friendly! Clear your kitchen and ensure it’s clean and accessible. You’ll also need to decide if you want an interactive cooking experience where the chef prepares the meal in front of guests, people at home or a more private kitchen setup. Either way, a little preparation will go a long way in ensuring a seamless experience.

Check equipment

Confirm that your kitchen has the necessary equipment for your chef to work with. Ask if they will need any specific tools, like extra pots or pans, or if they’ll bring their own. This helps avoid any last-minute surprises.

Set the table

Creating a festive atmosphere is easy with the right dining setup, says Tumukunde. Set the table with plates, cutlery, and glasses, and consider incorporating Easter-themed decorations like fresh flowers or pastel-coloured napkins. The ambience will add to the overall experience.

Budget and payment

Discuss the chef’s fee upfront and clarify what’s included—whether the price covers the ingredients, and travel costs, or if additional staff, like a server, will be needed. This ensures there are no surprises and you’re both on the same page.

Ingredient shopping 

A key question when hiring a chef is: who buys the ingredients?  In some cases, the chef may provide you with a shopping list for the ingredients, allowing you to take charge of sourcing them, says Tumukunde. This option is great for those who want to have control over quality, especially if you prefer organic or locally sourced items.

But many chefs offer a full-service experience, where they take care of all the shopping for you. They’ll include the cost of ingredients in the overall fee or provide a separate grocery receipt after the meal. This is a great option for those who want a completely hands-off experience.

Nonetheless, if you are looking for a middle ground, you could provide staple ingredients such as olive oil, salt, and spices, while leaving the fresh or speciality items to the chef. This can help you feel involved without adding stress to the day.

Also, if you’re missing an ingredient or two don’t panic! Let your chef know. They can either adjust the menu or bring the missing ingredients with them.

Chef sourcing

If your chef is in charge of shopping, this is a non-issue—they’ll bring everything they need to make the meal perfect. For last-minute shortages, consider running to a nearby shop or market most are open on Easter, or consider borrowing from a neighbour. Your chef can also improvise with what’s available. Chefs are experts at adapting to the situation!

Stock Basics

To avoid any stress, keep pantry essentials on hand—like salt, pepper, olive oil, flour, and sugar. These basic ingredients can save you in a pinch. 

This Easter, let a private chef take care of everything—from preparation to clean-up—so you can focus on what matters most: spending time with family and enjoying a delicious meal.

Wishing you a joyous and delicious Easter celebration!