A few Answers and Pointers

OMG, I have to plan an event! What do I do?

by Chef Martin Kelowna Catering

Most people don’t know the first thing about planning or organizing an event. And that’s ok. All you have to do is trust the professionals you hire to do the job they do. All over the Okanagan, from Vernon to Kelowna to Penticton - and beyond as long as it is worth it for the clients and for us - there are numerous events enjoyed at all kinds of venues, summer and winter.

The secret to a spectacularly smooth event is communication. When everyone is focused on sharing information to make the day as special as possible, then they work together to find the best ways for that to happen. Trust your caterer, and your other vendors, to do their best for you and give you the best value they can.

Plan ahead. Make a list - not just of the guests, but of the timeline for the day. What happens, and what do you need for that to work? This is when you can think of professionals to help you, like a music DJ to set the mood, a bartender to pour drinks, and a caterer to look after preparing and serving the food.

Expect the possibility of having to adjust your plans. We all know how the universe doesn't always cooperate with our dreams, so be prepared to make adjustments. This is another area where professionals can help; experienced professionals know how to deal with many situations. They can avoid pitfalls and adapt more quickly than the average person.

At The Chef Instead, we like to communicate as many details as possible, and we ask a lot of questions. We give you as many details as we can about how we work so we can offer you our best experience if you choose us as your caterer.

We know our catering service is not the right fit for everyone, because we focus only on what we do best. For example, since our catering service is unique with us cooking fresh food on location whether its in Kelowna, Penticton or Vernon, we require kitchen facilities for winter events (outside BBQ season) and for certain BBQ buffet menus.

Over the last 19 years of preparing menus, Chef Martin has cooked in halls and community centres, and at residences and parks throughout the Okanagan including Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon even further if it is worth it for the clients and for us. He and his team have catered weddings and all kinds of family and corporate events. Whether it is a full-service venue or a simple backyard event, The Chef Instead food, service and presentation remains at the same high level.

We include a one-hour consultation to discuss the logistics of the day for large events. This ensures we are all on the same page for how the day will unfold, making sure the catering is seamless with everything else. For weddings and other large events, we also recommend you have a day-of coordinator. This will make the day easier for you to enjoy.

A wedding or corporate event involves many components, so you want to be sure to have a team that you connect with. If you would like to have our recommendations, please just ask when you discuss your event with us.

Hiring your cousin might sounds like a good idea after a few shots of Tequila but trust me on this after 39 years of experience, i get at least one some times two calls a year from desperate brides or family members looking for a caterer short notice because this scenario did not workout like in the brochure! 

HIRING A CATERER VS HIRING A CHEF

by Chef Martin Kelowna Caterer

CATERING: When you hire a catering company, you usually get prepared or partially-cooked food. The caterer might be a cook there to do this, or it might be serving staff. Food can also be dropped off by the catering company for you and/or your guests to serve yourselves.

CHEF: When you choose The Chef Instead for your event, you get Chef Martin cooking fresh food on site with him and his team serving and clearing. He arrives with groceries and all the serving dishes to present the meal. He cooks dishes from scratch and serves them on time with your schedule. He leaves after cleaning up after the meal and ensures your kitchen is as clean as when he got there.

BENEFITS OF HIRING A CATERER

- You can get food delivered at locations where you have no kitchen facilities (e.g. lunch at work, charcuterie trays for cocktail parties)

- Often caterers have pre-set menus that let you choose items like you do at a restaurant.

BENEFITS OF HIRING THE CHEF INSTEAD

- You can rely on having fresh food served at its best, cooked on schedule to be ready for you and your guests when it is needed.

- Chef Martin will customize your menu based on the location, the kitchen facilities, the timeline you have, and other factors to ensure a top-quality meal your guests will enjoy.

- You can depend on Chef Martin being there personally to cook for your event. He only books one event per day to guarantee he executes every booking as he designed it for you.

- For larger events (over 15 people), The Chef Instead includes a consultation to assist you with the logistics of the meal. We offer our tips and hacks for hosting a stress-free event.

- Having Chef Martin there all day means you have a resource available to you. He is happy to share tips, hacks, recipes, techniques and plenty of fun stories.

We can’t speak for all private chefs, but Chef Martin loves to share his passion with people. When you hire The Chef Instead, you get a unique experience. You get restaurant quality food in the comfort of your chosen location, with an experienced professional taking care of things. You can relax and enjoy the food and the company, taking credit for having organized an entertaining and delectable gathering.

A caterer supplies you with a meal. Chef Martin creates a fresh-cooked meal from scratch and supplies you with the special memories to go with it.

If you’d like to know what it’s like to have The Chef Instead experience, check out some of our Google reviews.

Kelowna catering companies come and go each year, we have been here for almost 20 years doing what we do best including all over the Okanagan, ask around!

Okanagan Wedding Vendors

by Chef Martin Penticton catering 

WEDDING CAKES in Kelowna

Kakes by Kathie – Kathie https://www.kakesbykathie.com/

Sugar Sweet Cake Company – Kristen http://sugarsweetcakeco.ca/

DESSERT SELECTIONS in Kelowna

Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolate – Sandrine https://sandrinepastry.com/

DONUTS

Bakehouse 350 – Ed https://350bakehousecafe.ca/

BAR SERVICE

Okanagan Servers – Suzanna https://www.okanaganservers.ca/

Mixologists Bartending – Dustin https://mixologistsbartending.com/

DJ SERVICE

Airwaves Music https://airwavesmusic.ca/kelowna-wedding-dj/

DJ Haymaker – Jeff https://www.djhaymaker.com/

KELOWNA WEDDING VENUES (I = inside, O = outside, covered)

Laurel Packinghouse – I https://www.kelownamuseums.ca/museum/laurel-packinghouse/

East Kelowna Hall – I https://kelowna.cioc.ca/record/ACC0748?UseCICVw=13

Falconridge Farm – O https://falconridgefarms.ca/

Brook & Barn – O https://www.brookandbarn.info/

WEST KELOWNA, PEACHLAND, SUMMERLAND WEDDING VENUES

Westbank Lions Hall – I https://www.westkelownacity.ca/en/parks-recreation-and-culture/westbank-lions-community-centre.aspx

Peachland Recreation Centre - I https://www.peachland.ca/community-centre

Summerland Rodeo Grounds – I https://www.summerland.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails/summerland-rodeo-grounds

Meadow Valley Ranch, Summerland – O https://meadowvalleyranch.ca/

La Punta Norte, Summerland – O http://www.lapuntanorte.com/

PENTICTON WEDDING VENUES

Pine Hills Golf Club – I http://pinehillsgolfclub.ca/

VERNON WEDDING VENUES

Paddlewheel Hall – I https://okanaganlanding.com/paddlewheel-park-rental-space

Some Wineries do allow for outside catering, but remember we don't bring pre-cooked food or deliver meals anywhere. We only cook fresh on location and some wineries don't allow for that, which is fine.

Of course we've also done hundreds of events in houses, mostly Catering in Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon, but also in West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland, Olives, Armstrong, Enderby, Osoyoos, Naramata and probably more as long as it is worth it for the clients and for us.

Some clients call us the best caterer in Kelowna, personally after all these years I prefer to think of us as extremely good at what we do and consistency is what our clients really like!