Celebrations and Larger Events

Signature Gatherings

For 12 to 24 Guests

Not every great party is a sit-down dinner. Signature Gatherings is built for the full spectrum of entertaining: elegant backyard dinners, lively cocktail parties, milestone birthdays, holiday open houses, rehearsal dinners, and everything in between.

For dinner-style events, guests are treated to a curated selection of seasonal dishes served buffet-style or as interactive stations, with food that is anything but ordinary. For cocktail parties and receptions, I build beautifully designed grazing stations that keep guests moving, mingling, and coming back for more.

Explore seven signature gathering experiences below, each built around a different theme and occasion. These menus reflect my favorite pairings, but they're a starting point. If you have something else in mind, I'm glad to build an event entirely around your vision.

What's Included

Jump to a Menu

Mediterranean Garden Party

California Wine Country Dinner

California Cocktail Party

California BBQ & Wine Gathering

Hero Station

California Cioppino

Prawns, local rockfish, mussels, San Marzano tomato-fennel broth, grilled garlic sourdough

Coastal Favorites

Herb-Grilled Flank Steak

Roasted garlic, fresh herbs, red wine jus

Grilled Citrus Herb Chicken Skewers

Meyer lemon herb yogurt

California Coastal Orzo Salad

Roasted cherry tomatoes, cucumber, grilled artichokes, Castelvetrano olives, fresh herbs, Champagne vinaigrette

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Garlic, fresh herbs, chive yogurt

Fresh California Seasonal Fruit Display

Chile-lime seasoning, fresh mint

Dessert

Mini Meyer Lemon Tarts

Whipped mascarpone, candied lemon zest, white chocolate curls

Hero Station

California Smoked Salmon Board

Artisan bagels, whipped cream cheese, capers, pickled red onions, seasonal tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh dill, lemon

Brunch Favorites

Chef Glenn B Breakfast Sandwich Sliders

Maple-glazed Canadian bacon, baked chive egg, aged white cheddar, house breakfast sauce

Spinach & Gruyère Quiche

Caramelized onions, fresh thyme

House Breakfast Sausage

Classic sage breakfast sausage

Crispy Breakfast Potatoes

Rosemary, fresh chives, flaky sea salt

Seasonal Fruit Display

Berries, melon, and citrus at their peak

Baby Greens & Citrus Salad

Goat cheese, toasted almonds, Champagne vinaigrette

Sweet Finish

Lemon Ricotta Baked French Toast

Seasonal berry compote, warm maple syrup

Artisan Morning Pastries

Chef-selected assortment of premium pastries

Hero Carving Station

Herb-Crusted Prime Rib

House Cabernet reduction, horseradish crème fraîche

Brown Sugar & Dijon Glazed Ham

Whole-grain mustard, clove, orange

Seasonal Sides

Gruyère Potato Gratin

Yukon Gold potatoes, Gruyère, Parmesan, fresh thyme

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Applewood-smoked bacon, aged balsamic

Green Beans Almondine

Brown butter, toasted almonds, fresh parsley

Winter Harvest Salad

Baby greens, Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, goat cheese, candied pecans, Champagne vinaigrette

Dessert Station

Warm Brioche Bread Pudding

Bourbon vanilla crème anglaise

Dark Chocolate Layer Cake

Chocolate ganache, peppermint bark

Investment: Starting at $125 per person

Chef services are charged per guest. Premium ingredients are sourced specifically for your event and billed separately at cost. Wine, additional staffing, and rentals, if requested, are quoted separately.

A functioning kitchen with basic equipment: stove, oven, refrigerator, and counter space

Table and seating for your guests (I'm happy to recommend rental companies)

Plates, glassware, and flatware, or I can arrange rentals

Do I choose the menu?

Yes. My Gathering menus are a great place to start, and I'm always happy to design a custom menu around your preferences, dietary needs, and the occasion.

How far in advance do I need to book?

Events must be booked at least 21 days in advance. This allows time for menu consultation, ingredient sourcing, and preparation. For weekends, summer, and the holidays, I recommend booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead, as my calendar fills quickly.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Absolutely. Most of my menus adapt easily for gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs. We'll review any restrictions during the consultation so every guest enjoys the experience.

Can you source the wine, or should we provide it?

Either works beautifully. I maintain a personal cellar of more than 1,000 bottles, with direct allocations from producers in California, Oregon, Washington, and select Old World estates. I'm happy to curate wines for your menu, or to suggest pairings for bottles you already love. Wine is quoted separately during the consultation.

Do you bring assistants?

For Gatherings of up to 12 guests, it's just me. For larger events, I may bring an assistant to keep service seamless.

What is your cancellation policy?

A 50% deposit secures your date. Cancellations 30 or more days before your event receive a full deposit refund, minus a $75 administrative fee. Cancellations 14 to 29 days out forfeit the deposit. Cancellations fewer than 14 days out forfeit the deposit plus 25% of the remaining balance. Rescheduling is handled case by case, with as much flexibility as my calendar allows.

Do you do events outside San Diego County?

Yes, I serve all of California. Travel fees apply for events more than 35 miles from downtown San Diego, and overnight accommodations may be required for some destinations.

What makes this different from typical catering?

I personally shop for your ingredients, cook every dish, set up and tend each station, and stay with you throughout the event. It's a high-touch experience designed entirely around you and your guests.