Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private chef cost?
Pricing starts at $200 per person for family-style dinners and $250 per person for plated or tasting menu experiences, with a 10-guest minimum. This includes menu planning, grocery shopping, all food preparation in your home, service, and complete cleanup. Final pricing depends on menu complexity, guest count, and location. Food and beverage procurement is additional and varies based on your selections. A 50% deposit secures your date, with the balance due the day of your event.
Soigné at Home serves Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Hamptons (including East Hampton, Southampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Water Mill, and Montauk), Westchester, Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Multi-day Hamptons residencies are available during summer season.
What areas do you serve?
After you submit the inquiry form, you'll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. Chef Tom will follow up personally to discuss your event details—date, guest count, dietary needs, and vision for the evening. From there, he'll craft a custom menu tailored specifically to your occasion. Once the menu is finalized, you'll receive a formal proposal with pricing and a simple contract to secure your date.
What should I expect after submitting an inquiry?
Chef Tom personally shops the markets on the day of your event, selecting the freshest seasonal ingredients available. Depending on the menu and location, this includes local farmers markets, specialty purveyors, and trusted suppliers in NYC and the Hamptons. For Hamptons events, he sources from local farms and fishmongers whenever possible. Every ingredient is chosen with the same care and standards he learned working under chefs from Per Se and Daniel Boulud—quality is never compromised.
Where do you source your ingredients?
Do you provide staffing?
For most events, Chef Tom handles everything personally—cooking, plating, and service. For larger gatherings or more complex menus, additional front-of-house staff may be required. Staffing is determined by Chef Tom based on menu complexity and guest count, and any additional staff will be included in your proposal.
Absolutely. Every menu is custom-built around your guests' needs. We accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher, halal, and allergy-specific diets. Just let us know during your consultation and Chef Tom will design a menu that ensures every guest enjoys a memorable meal.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
We recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance for most events. Summer Hamptons dates fill quickly and should be reserved as early as possible. For holidays and special occasions, earlier booking is always better to secure your preferred date.
How far in advance should I book?
Soigné at Home specializes in intimate dinner parties, wine-paired tasting menus, canapé receptions, and large-scale events like clambakes and pig roasts. We've hosted anniversary dinners, milestone birthdays, engagement celebrations, holiday gatherings, corporate dinners, and multi-day Hamptons residencies. Whether it's dinner for 10 or a party of 50, every event receives the same level of attention and care.
What types of events do you cater?
Everything. Chef Tom handles menu planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, cooking, plating, service, and complete cleanup. You don't lift a finger. The only things not included are tableware, glassware, and linens—though recommendations can be provided if needed.
What's included in the service?
Chef Tom Verri is a Johnson & Wales University culinary graduate with 20 years of fine dining experience in New York City. He trained alongside chefs from Thomas Keller's Per Se and Daniel Boulud's restaurant organization, mastering the precision, technique, and artistry that define world-class dining. He founded Soigné at Home to bring that same level of craft directly to clients' homes.
What is Chef Tom's background?
We recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance for most events. Summer Hamptons dates fill quickly and should be reserved as early as possible. For holidays and special occasions, earlier booking is always better to secure your preferred date.
How far in advance should I book?
Everything. Chef Tom handles menu planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, cooking, plating, service, and complete cleanup. You don't lift a finger. The only things not included are tableware, glassware, and linens—though recommendations can be provided if needed.