A Private Chef for an At-Home Wedding or Micro-Wedding
Maggie and Wes, 2023
The Vendador Table
Recipes, hosting notes, and what we are cooking around Chicago.
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Every host knows the small anxiety. One guest is vegetarian. Another cannot have shellfish. Someone's partner is not just gluten-free, but celiac, and you are…
Read How a Private Chef Handles Allergies and Die →Maggie and Wes, 2023
There is a kind of business that does not get done in a conference room. The deal that needed a relaxed evening. The client who needed to feel valued, not…
The first time someone hires me, the nerves are almost never about the food. People trust the food. What they are worried about is everything around it. Will…
The North Shore was built for this kind of evening.
A birthday is the one night a year that belongs entirely to one person. So when someone hires a private chef for birthday party celebrations in Chicago, I treat…
Photo by Olivia Leigh
People use the terms personal chef and private chef as if they mean the same thing. They do not, and the difference matters a great deal once you start spending…
People call us for all sorts of reasons , a milestone birthday, an anniversary, a quiet Tuesday someone decided to make beautiful , and almost every first…
When people ask me about starting Vendador, they usually want to hear the about what we have achieved: the beautiful dinners, the satisfied clients, the freedom…
If Thanksgiving is a cook’s holiday, then Friendsgiving is for the hosts. It’s a gathering centered around community and offers every guest the…
As autumn sweeps through the Windy City, it brings with it a vibrant palette of colors, cool breezes, and the perfect atmosphere for memorable gatherings.…
Join us for an intimate Vendador dinner party journeying through six courses of hyper-seasonal, local, and unforgettable cuisine by Chef Francis Pascal in West…
You asked, we answered! This week, we are pulling back the curtain on our private dining experiences by answering your most frequently asked questions. As a…
The Albanian in me always has a soft spot for lamb. Maybe it's the way it takes me back to those summers in the mountains, or maybe it's just that lamb has this…
Chawan Mushi, a silky steamed egg custard, is a dish that embodies both simplicity and sophistication. While it may look humble, it's a true blank canvas that…
Halibut has always felt like one of those perfect fish choices. It's clean, flaky, endlessly versatile, and most people love it. And when you give it the right…
This week, we’re diving into one of my all-time favorite winter dishes: roasted beets with winter fruits and a charred tangerine vinaigrette.
If there’s one dish that embodies the soul of slow, rustic French cooking, it’s cassoulet. A labor of love, this hearty dish is all about layering…
There’s something profoundly satisfying about taking a lesser-known cut of beef and turning it into a refined dish. In this recipe, we’re using a…
This week’s recipe is a little journey, a play on a classic bouillabaisse, but with a Vendador twist. We have left out the traditional rouille. Instead,…
If you're a fan of mushroom pasta, you're in for a treat. Today, we're diving deep into a dish that combines the earthy, rich flavors of mushrooms with the…
If you're looking for a showstopping lobster recipe, look no further than our Whole Lobster with Curried Mustard Greens and Poached Squash. A blend of flavors…
As February brings the chill of winter, it also warms our hearts with the spirit of love. Valentine’s Day, and the entire month, is a celebration of…
There’s something about New Year’s Eve that makes it stand out from any other celebration. It’s not just the glitz or the countdown to…
When it comes to luxury in the culinary world, few ingredients hold as much allure as truffles. Known for their rare and earthy aroma, truffles are a favorite…
Creating a memorable French-inspired dinner isn’t just about the food, it’s about crafting an experience. A perfectly curated meal can be elevated…
Steak isn’t just food, it’s an experience. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner, planning a lavish wedding, or arranging a corporate…
This week, we feature a Seafood Saffron Creme recipe. There's something incredibly luxurious about a dish that combines the treasures of the sea with the rich,…
When it comes to family dinners, pasta dishes are a perennial favorite that never disappoints. Its versatility makes it a surefire hit, pleasing even the…
We hope your days have been filled with the flavors of an early summer and patio libations. I wanted to share some creative ideas to grill with a bit of flair.…
Your wedding day is more than just a celebration of your love and dedication to one another; it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to gather all the people…
If you love cooking and learning about food, you probably recognize that familiar craving of a new cookbook. I am constantly reading new cookbooks and love the…
This week, we’re sharing an easy and delicious French recipe that is perfect for enjoying outside on the porch with a cup of tea or crisp glass of…
This week, we're diving into one of the culinary world's most transformative techniques: brining!
This week, we have a recipe for a quiet, classic dinner for these final stretch weeks of winter.
If you love cooking and learning about food, you probably recognize that familiar craving of a new cookbook. Especially being that its the start of the year,…
While we are all holed up from the sub-zero temps of Chicago’s winter, there’s no better time that to turn your kitchen into a warm oasis over a big…
Wagyu tartare, with summer garden herbs
If you ask me when to throw the dinner you have been meaning to throw, my answer is always the same. Now. Whatever month it is when you ask. But July, I will…
Photo by Olivia Leigh
There is a moment in every dinner I cook that none of the guests ever see.
There's something about a grazing table that changes the energy of a gathering. People relax, conversations start naturally, and everyone finds something they…
Growing up in Albania, Christmas wasn't the massive celebration it is in America. We observed it, of course, but the traditions were quieter, more influenced by…
Let me be clear about something: for me, it's never really about foraging. It's about being out in the woods and taking a nice walk. If I run across something,…
The Albanian in me has a soft spot for lamb. Or goat. Or duck, pheasant, boar, basically any game meat that’s rich with flavor and history. But…
Recently, I hosted a private dinner built entirely around Japanese flavors. From the cured kanpachi to the grilled unagi rice, each dish felt like a return to…
As the golden hour stretches longer in the summer and the air grows heavy with the scent of blooming jasmine and distant grills, there’s one sure way to…
When people ask me what sets private dining apart from a typical restaurant experience, I usually say this: It’s intentional. Every detail, from the way a…
If you ask me what kind of food I'd recommend for every party - from an evening in with friends, to corporate gatherings, engagement parties, with or without…
Chicago's private dining scene is thriving, offering a variety of innovative and unique experiences. As hosts seek to create memorable events, several trends…
Planning a birthday party can be both exciting and overwhelming. You want everything to be perfect, especially the food. After all, a birthday celebration…
We are excited to share an excerpt from a deeper conversation with our very own Chef Francis Pascal on Albanian Connection. In this trimmed interview, Chef…
Our latest offering for Spring 2024 allows Chef Francis to showcase his creativity, culinary skills, and seasonal ingredients in a unique and personalized way.
This week's unexpected warmth has nudged our thoughts towards spring ahead of schedule! The prospect of crafting vibrant spring menus, foraging for fresh ramps…
For the majority of my life, I thought that Tropicana Juice cartons meant that citrus was a summer fruit. I distinctly remember the moment I learned that citrus…
This week we are we are casting the spotlight on the venues we trust. At Vendador, we understand the significance of choosing the perfect space for your special…
The polls are in! You asked and its here: a hearty recipe for a warm dinner to share with friends and family this weekend. It’s more and more satisfying…