Welcome to the rise of the at-home chef service.

from Noosa Style | Food + Drink Edition

The ultimate Noosa prize package.

CURTIS STONE

ENTERTAINING WITH EASE

Welcome to the rise of the at-home chef service. Whether you’re a Noosa local looking to host a glamorous dinner, or a holiday maker on vacation with a group of friends, forgo hours spent slaving over the stove in lieu of at-home entertaining, as the in-house private chef trend officially takes off.

In a post-pandemic world as many once-wanderlusters choose to holiday domestically or stay-cay in their own city, the excitement and luxury of a fabulous dining experience has not been forgotten – even if it is in our own backyard. Introducing the un-official ‘Airbnb for chefs’ as Noosa becomes one of the first and most successful launching grounds of the private chef service, with booking sites such as Gathar – co-founded by Curtis Stone – seeing a 330 percent increase in demand in 2021.

So, how does “fine dining in your own home” work? It’s easy enough – you simply choose or create the perfect menu with your chef, they source fresh local ingredients, then arrive with everything needed to cook fine cuisine and serve your guests. The best part? They’ll also clean up afterwards! Private chefs take care of every delicious detail from start to finish, so all you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy your elegant meal in the comfort of your own home. The Noosa area alone is extremely spoilt for choice with a repertoire of local in-house chefs that are brimming with accolades including those who have been awarded Good Food Guide Chef Hats, head chefs in Michelin star restaurants, winners of Sunshine Coast Readers Choice Awards and Best New Restaurant Awards by the Australian Good Food Guide. When one of these chefs comes into your home, the talent will be boiling over!

Aside from the ease and convenience of having a professional chef curate a delicious dish for you, clients also appreciate learning from the wealth of experience that chefs bring to the table, along with the chance to engage with the chefs, providing the ultimate personal in-house event. Choosing your own menu means that chefs can discuss the local produce with you, sharing the origins of the ingredients, and make it a special moment for both you and your guests.

“People tell us when they add it all up – paying for taxis, baby sitters, wine, and ingredients – having a private chef at home for a nice lunch or dinner can actually end up being an easier and far more enjoyable option,” Lily Phillips from Gathar Sunshine Coast Culinarians explains.

Amongst the plethora of delectable dishes on offer, some highlights include Moreton Bay bugs with cauliflower, toasted almond crumble and salmon roe from chef Alan Dawes, or perhaps the Brisbane Valley organic quail with witlof, pear, parsnip, pepitas, and aged balsamic from chef Andy Davies. For the sweet tooths among us, chef Ona Klova plates up desserts like strawberry and meringue whipped cream stack with passionfruit sorbet and Persian fairy floss. Drooling yet?

But ultimately, when asked what Noosa clients generally liked being served up by their at-home chefs, Lily says, “Noosa hosts want menus that really showcase the best local produce.”

Local produce is something that Lily and chef Tyrone aim to hero in all aspects, none more so than in their top selected menu item, Celebrating Native Australia, which captures flavours that Tyrone adopted after spending time with the people of the Kuku Yalanji tribe in Port Douglas.

Now your mouth is well and truly watering, rest assured that having your own private chef is no longer reserved only for the rich and famous.

“Our goal is to make it easy for anyone to have an amazing in-home dining experience, where you can enjoy restaurant-quality dishes with a more personalised experience for around the same price as you’d pay to go out,” says Gathar CEO, Jodie Mlikota.

So, when it comes to planning your next memorable dining experience where all worry and pressure is removed from the event, put down that chopping board and contact a private chef instead – your kitchen and calendar will thank you for it.

& RELAX UNWIND

Come for the Sunday markets, stay for lunch on the waterside at Noosa Marina.

Noosa Marina has been one of the area’s staples for over 30 years. A firm favourite dining location amongst locals, there are a variety of restaurants on offer: Modern Australian, a la carte, Italian, and fabulous fish and chips. Many working locals enjoy Café VinCino for meetings, catching up over breakfast, or THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW enjoying a great lunch TO SEE WITH available seven days OUR VARIETY a week. OF FASHION, Lucio’s Marina is spectacularly located overlooking the Noosa River. Specialising in HAIRDRESSERS, DAY SPA, AND NOW A NEW FINE ART Italian seafood with GALLERY ON OFFER a focus on fresh local seafood. Come in and check out our brand new fitout, showcasing a modern, comfortable style with indoor and outdoor options to drink LUCIO’S MARINA in those views (and have a cocktail while you are at it!).

Noosa Marina is also a departure point for many river cruises including to travel along the river while sunset and dinner cruises. Do it enjoying historical commentary. your own way with self-drive BBQ A return journey is a leisurely pontoons, half-cabin hire boats, or 90 minutes, and one of the most charter a deep sea fishing boat. The relaxing ways to enjoy Noosa. best way to gain a new perspective Sunday’s are a fanfare of of Noosa is by catching the ferry colour and entertainment with the regular markets and live music.

Why not arrive by ferry to enjoy breakfast or lunch, and perhaps top the day off with an exquisite dinner and sweeping views of the river.