My Chef Lisa

Local, Sustainable, Clean, Creative Catering & In-​home Chef
Whether you’re looking for a caterer to prep a 7 course sit-​down for your closest 50 friends, or brunch for 10 VIP family & associates, Chef Lisa & Friends will make sure that your event will be be memorable and discussion worthy for days. Best of all, for the health conscious, there’s no guessing about what you ate, because everything is spelled out on cards– very cool for those w/​dietary agitations/​restrictions.
THE SHORT
Lisa is well-​seasoned native New York chef and Chef mentor who recently relocated to the bay. In the short time she has been here, she’s established a thriving business that allows her to maintain creativity in the kitchen at an affordable price.
To me, what sets Lisa apart from other caterers has to do with her work ethic around uncompromising quality ingredients and exploiting her customers and staff’s creativity — it’s a pretty unique experience you aren’t likely to get outside of culinary school — if even there.
THE EVENT/​CHALLENGE
We had a weekend extravaganza planned for 50 dinner and 20+ brunch guests. The event was extravagant because it involved getting friends, family & staff to Monte Rio, for a «destination baby shower.» The initial idea sounded impossible and possibly out of budget, but Lisa’s skill and reasonable prices made the vision a reality. Since mama to be was 8.5 months pregnant w/​dietary restrictions and low energy, Chef Lisa was asked to coordinate opening the vacation rental to guests as well as arranging all of the food and rental equipment for 3 meals (a welcome tea/​lunch buffet, a 7 course sit down dinner, & brunch).
LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE CHEF & OUR NEEDS
Chef Lisa’s food and servers speak for themselves, in terms of taste, class, innovation and presentation. However, if you’re like me, then you want the background first.
Lisa spent years mastering the art of gluten free cuisine, catering, and coaching holistic health transitions for those with special dietary needs. About half of my friends are vegan, while the other half are gluten free or strictly meat and potatoes. Since my best friend is a very pregnant foodie w/​a palate that doesn’t quite agree with her physician’s recommendations, she really needed to find a caterer who would give her a culinary experience she could share with her friends — within her restrictions. Chef Lisa turned out to be the perfect fit for putting her vision into play.
THE FOOD
WELCOME TEA
— Leek & herb frittata bites — clean guiltless protein
— Quinoa Tabouleh & Spicy Hummus Bites on Cucumber
— Green Lentils & Wild Rice Salad with Tomato and Olive Dressing — served family style on the buffet w/​fresh grilled flat bread
— Chevre Stuffed Dates w/​mint and pistachio
— Sliced Lamb w/​Ezme, Garlic Yogurt, Lettuce, Shallots & Tomato — these mini pita sandwiches were a crowd favorite for sure
— Chicken & Pepper Kabobs served on a Rosemary Skewer — delicious & absolutely beautiful on the spread.
— Cheese platter w/​Mt. Tam & Rose Hip Preserves; Walnut Crusted Goat Cheese w/​fig jam; Aged Gouda w/​Date Syrup and Almonds
KIDS CORNER — mac & cheese, chicken skewers, veggie plate
SWEET BITES: Lemon Tarts, Almond Tea Cake (crack), Lavender Shortbread, Fresh Berries and Cream
— Turkish TEA Service: samovars w/​sterno, coffee, ginger fizz, and strawberry Lemonade.
— Red and White Wine Station
SIT DOWN DINNER
— Spinach soufflé bite with oyster mushroom cream — just a bite to wet the palate. I was happy to find these mushrooms again w/​mac & cheese at brunch
— Heirloom Tomato Salad w/​avocado, toasted olives, pine nuts and chervil oil — slid down real easy and had just enough acid to cut through the creamy finish from the soufflé bite
— Lemon Chicken Paillard — Poulet Rouge Chicken breasts from Pitman Farm served ontop of a saffron corn, garnished with rainbow carrots and caramelized shallots — bomb
— Strawberry Romanov Intermezzo — a beautiful parfe of creamy goodness layered with organic strawberries
— Boucheron cheese plate with honey comb and grape salad — probably my favorite small bite of the night — the creamy pungent cheese contrasting with the chewy sweet comb and crisp red grape slices was fantastic
— Chocolate Lava Cake w/​warm and served with raspberry coulis, fresh whip, white chocolate and lavender cocoa nib bark — bang’n
o Coffee and Tea Service with candied ginger, date shortbread, and fresh berries
KIDS CORNER
o Organic chicken fingers
o Veggies
o Cheesy macaroni
o Pasta with cheese and marinara
— BRUNCH
Half Roasted Chicken breasts w/​roasted figs and grapes.
Smoked Salmon
Rainbow Heirloom Carrot Salad w/​Dijon Vinaigrette
BOTTOM LINE
Nothing beats having someone take your vision for a special event, and then manifest that into something beyond your expectations — for a less than you expected to pay. If you want to feel good about purchasing a culinary experience, I highly recommend using Chef Lisa & Friends.