How do I even begin? In case the below is too long for you to read (although I promise to try and make it as useful as possible for anyone throwing an event), here is the gist: Andrew is the most creative, professional, good humored and talented chef + event advisor you will find, and he will ensure you get the event of your dreams - and have fun doing it. When I started planning my wedding (just 5 months before the actual day), I knew I wanted something truly different: a colorful and wild yet decidedly upscale party that was more an interpretation of a wedding than anything else. The problem? I'd never planned an event before -- not even a dinner party. So I had no idea where to begin. And then I found Andrew Spurgin. I stumbled across him when Googling something along the lines of "upscale event design". I didn't want someone who only did weddings (or even specialized in them), since I found that many wedding vendors had a hard time thinking outside the traditional box. From our very first email, I found Andrew to be the most enthusiastic, inspired (and inspiring!) professional whose endless ideas, network of truly THE most talented vendors (most of whom he's worked with for decades!!), and good humor turned my anxiety about party planning into one of the best things about the wedding. Most telling is the end result, which I can honestly say was executed absolutely flawlessly. My initial vision wasn't just realized, it was elevated in nearly every way thanks to Andrew's guidance, support and suggestions. Also, his incredible menu drew raves from even my snobbiest guests (there were some very picky foodies in attendance), and I had more guests than I can count tell me this was the best food they'd ever had a wedding. This is especially impressive when you consider that due to some limitations at our venue, we had two other (large and reputable) caterers tell me they couldn't do a full menu there. Andrew managed not only to do a full menu, but to produce it gorgeously. When I look back on my wedding 50 years from now, I will always think of Andrew and the fact that it wouldn't have been half the event it was if it weren't for him. I don't know how anyone plans any beautiful and impressive event without him - truly! A million thanks to him for giving me the best day of my life - and our guests a day to remember! read more

Amazing Chef, amazing team. Andrew and his team created the perfect menu for my 50th Birthday dinner for 16 people. The pacing of the evening, the quality of the food, and the professionalism of the service was all top notch. If you want an incredible culinary experience ... hire Andrew! read more

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Count me in as one of the 30+ 5 star reviews for this gifted, culinary guru/pundit. I was assigned to elevate the Gala for The Fleet Science Center two years ago, and we hired Andrew to handle all the creative aspects of the food and execution of the dinner. Andrew was also tasked work with me on the wine pairings. That first event in June of 2017 was a smashing success, serving a specialized wine themed dinner for over 200 people. Totally awesome results, which carried over to the event in May of this year. Many returning supporters reveled in his creativity and the solid foundation he brought to the dinner, It is for sure we will be calling on Andrew again for May of 2019. We won't even take bids from anyone else, thats how confident we feel about him. It also speaks to how much we have enjoyed the process of working with Andrew, and the excitement he brings to The Fleet Science Center Gala events. I wish I could hire him for my own restaurant . . . read more

I was planning a 70th Surprise Birthday party for my husband and I had to be out of town for two weeks leading up to the party. There was no way I could plan a party in that situation. Also, I realized I had little experience in planning and would have to do too much research to find the right caterer, designer, dessert etc.. and still not be sure I chose correctly. I did not have the time or energy for all of that. That's when I asked Andrew Spurgin for help. I've known Andrew for many years and have admired his work. I also knew I could trust Andrew to guide me in making the right decisions. With Andrew, I did not have to "recreate the wheel". I could rely on his years of experience to provide the best options for what I needed. It was the best decision I could have made. This was to be a simple party, no big fan fare, the focus on recognizing my husband. Andrew listened very carefully and asked insightful questions about what I wanted and my budget. Andrew gently talked me down when I was over the top, managed my misguided expectations and made sure the party was everything it should be. Andrew took care of all the details while I was out of town and put my mind at ease. The party was perfect and it was due to Andrew! read more

Andrew and his team have both catered and planned several of my family's Christmas parties and events over the years, so when it came time for my (now) husband and I to begin planning our wedding, it was a no-brainer on who to call. Himself and his entire team are so attentive, accommodating, and, above all, make truly the best food and curated experiences that I have ever had. I'm just a few conversations, he was able to completely understand and get onboard with my visions and craft a menu dialed exactly to mine and my husband's palates and overall vibe. The food truly elevated the evening, although based on past experiences we expected nothing less! Andrew and his incredible team of staff will surely help make your event or evening something to remember and cherish forever. read more

Another outrageously perfect evening, thanks to master chef and his stalwart team. You are the best!

We hired Andrew to cater our wedding reception in May of this year. At first we were planning a small intimate dinner, and Andrew created an exceptional menu full of interesting flavors, local ingredients, and great visuals (complete with sketches of what each course would look like!). With vaccines rolling out, we were able to expand it from a small intimate dinner through to a much larger party, and Andrew rolled with us to figure out how to scale up his menu to accommodate a much larger party without any changes. Throughout he was incredibly easy to work with, super knowledgeable, and deeply passionate about food and cooking. The night went down perfectly, with multiple guests telling us that it was the best food they had EVER had at a wedding (it was); and all of the staff that Andrew brought did a really great job. He was also very helpful with a wine pairing, helping scale the pairing according to our desired prices, and helping to order all the wines from a local wine shop. THANK YOU Andrew! You and your team helped create a really incredible evening that we'll never forget! read more

Andrew assisted me in creating a world-class event for a myself and a host of esteemed wine-collector friends from around the country. This once-in-lifetime dinner was truly special as we were pouring some of the most iconic and rare old vintages from houses such as Château Margaux, Château Pétrus & many more. I shared what we were pouring with Andrew and tapped him to pair the plates. What he created stunned me and all the guests--it was a suite of what everyone agreed were perfect pairings! (And this was a group of guests that has eaten at some of the finest restaurants in the world.) I have had the pleasure of working with Chef Andrew for approximately 20 years and he has never disappointed. I highly recommend Andrew to any discerning client, he and his team of consummate professionals are not to be matched! read more

We hired Andrew to cater the celebration of our friend's 60th birthday and everything was exquisite. His care over quality ingredients, beautiful plating from hors d'oeuvre to each course that followed was truly exceptional. He and his team were complete professionals and I can't recommend him enough. If you want a memorable, creative and deliciously bespoke experience, Andrew is among the best San Diego has to offer. read more

Andrew's team catered our wedding in Coronado this weekend. It was truly flawless. They worked in an extremely small kitchen for the number of people attending. I lost count of the number of people that said it was absolutely the best food they have ever had at a wedding. I could not agree more. Despite the challenging circumstances, which included a strong chance of rain for a wedding on the beach, we never felt stressed in anyway. The event simply unfolded as planned. With all the stress involved with planning a wedding, that's really all you want on the big day. Make a plan and execute on the plan. That's precisely what happened. The team was was really fantastic and, as mentioned above, the food was outstanding. THANK YOU SO MUCH! read more

Chef Andrew Spurgin is nothing short of amazing. He catered a private dinner party at my house and from someone who dines out a lot I have to say it is still the best meal I have ever had. Not only did he cook up an amazing five course meal but also worked the layout of the event from decor to party ideas. He is amazing and I highly recommend him to anyone who wants something out of the box. Cheers to Chef Spurgin! read more

Andrew and I have worked together for more years than either of us probably care to count, and he's helped me throw memorable parties for dozens of my clients over those years. So when it came time to hire someone to help me plan my own wedding, he was the first call I made. He listened to what we wanted, asked a few questions to get our likes/dislikes, and made several recommendations on other event planners to help us pull the entire wedding details together - all of which were flawless. The highlight was Andrew's menu, which was inspired from interesting global flavors that made the cuisine really different than regular wedding fare. He set up food stations, and drew our guests into cool conversations about unique spices, interesting ingredients and delicious tastes. Everyone raved about the food and Andrew's creations. He was a delight to work with, and always has been. And the best part for me was not worrying about the food that night, or any night leading up to our event. He made it all look flawless, and certainly delivered a stress-free experience for me! I look forward to working with Andrew again and again. read more

Andrew assisted my wife and i with a party at our home for my wife's 40th birthday. Being the first time we hired a private chef we were unsure what to expect. Let me tell you that Andrew over delivered. From the first time i talked to him he was extremely professional and super into our party. He gave us several great ideas for theme and food. He even draws pictures of each plate so you can envision your dishes at your party. The food was unreal!! Miso sea bass was out of this world. Andrew doesn't stop there. He was able to help with all facets of our party. Gave us the name of an unreal bartender and also helped us find a great furniture company. Andrew's staff is second to none. From the minute they showed up they were so helpful and professional. They helped us set up all furniture, lighting and made sure our house was in order before our guests arrives. Once the guest arrived they were top notch! Our guest didn't stop talking about how great and helpful they were. If your looking for someone to help you create an unbelievable food experience and party then Andrew is your guy. I cant thank him enough for creating a birthday to remember. Thank you Andrew!! read more

We are repeat customers of Andrew Spurgin, and have always been more than satisfied with every aspect of his performance. He is a creative and innovative chef, thoroughly prepared for each event and executes on the plan to perfection. His team is fully briefed, attentive to detail, and bring a bright and cheerful tone to the evening. He is great at explaining to our guests the details of each course, and how they all fit together with the wines we have selected. You will find working with him easy and satisfying in every aspect. We are already looking forward to our next opportunity to work with Andrew. read more

Chef Andrew Spurgin has designed the outstanding wire-paired dinners for the Fleet Science Center Gala for the last three years and our patrons look forward to his creative and delicious culinary surprises. He and his team are a class act who can handle exceptional multi-course meals for a ballroom of discerning pallets. read more

Andrew is, hands-down and unequivocally, the BEST at what he does. I've had the pleasure of both working for him, and having him work for me. As his cohort, I've helped him turn museums into Royal Halls, backyards into bazaars, and a non-descript commercial building into the offices of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. His inimitable talent isn't limited to conjuring up unique and exciting themes, however. His culinary talents are as varied as they are impressive, and he always manages to exceed everyone's expectations. The rest of his team are equally as dedicated to making sure that every aspect of every event is memorable and unparalleled. For this particular instance and subsequent review, I called upon Andrew & co. to help me plan an evening that was very important to me. I had recently finished filming season 12 of Food Network Star, and on the night of the premiere, I wanted my friends and family, and especially the people I had worked so closely beside for a large chunk of my culinary career to be able to celebrate with me. During the planning process, I offered up a few ideas that Andrew welcomed with open arms, and he hit the ground running. We were in constant communication, and I always felt "in the loop" when it came to knowing how the plans were progressing. I knew that Andrew and his team could never plan an event that didn't knock everyone's socks off, but what they did for me absolutely blew me away. Andrew, along with other outfits that he often collaborates with, turned a small grassy knoll into a bohemian spin on an Old-Hollywood afterparty, complete with twinkling lights and a HUGE projection screen, and luxe vintage furniture sprawled over ornate rugs. It was charming and fashionable and comfortable, with even the smallest detail accounted for. While an extensive menu didn't fit with the "Premiere Party" vibe, Andrew and his assistant Mindy stocked a sort of Artisanal Concession stands, complete with freshly-baked soft pretzels, popcorn, and even theater-style boxes of candy. They even took care of the bar! My guests were more than impressed with the efforts Andrew & co., and I could never have enough good things to say about how absolutely ESSENTIAL he was to that night's success. If you're looking for a stress-free, exquisite, unforgettable event, I absolutely 100% recommend Andrew Spurgin. read more

Andrew and his team put on a 40th birthday for us recently and it was absolutely impeccable. From the pre-event planning to the clean-up, no detail was left untouched. We were impressed by all of the flexibility as well as the ability to solve venue/food/beverage challenges. Highly recommended for any event where quality, style, and execution are required. read more

From the very first meeting to the post-event follow-up, Andrew and his team turned up their creativity to make our Director's Circle 'Sea-To-Table' dinner at Scripps Oceanography an event that I will compare all of my other events to. His ideas to bring in not only 5 of the best chefs in San Diego, but also the purveyors, the wine makers, the growers, the fisherman and even the guy that built a smoker from old wine barrels in which Chef Chad White smoked sweet potatoes at the event! Outstanding!! His connections within the industry, his menu design, his knowledge of sustainabilty, and his desire to educate our guests helped make this a memorable evening for everyone. This is definitely not the end and we look foward to working with him again in the future to help promote sustainabilty and educate our donors. Fantastic job Andrew!! Chapeau! There was a wonderful event write-up in the La Jolla Light: http://www.lajollalight.com/news/2015/nov/12/kitchen-shrink-fish-food/ Photos from the event can be found here: http://scottdusek.com/scripps-institute-of-oceanography/ read more

MOPA had the pleasure of working with Andrew Spurgin to create a custom-designed menu for the Museum's signature fundraising event. The result was a magnificent culinary experience that left donors and directors raving for weeks after the event. Andrew's comprehensive knowledge of food, cultural fare, and flair for the creative will leave you with a menu suited for the Gods! read more

At Voices for Children, we have worked with Andrew on our largest annual gala, "Starry Starry Night," and there is just one word to describe him: AMAZING. He is truly an artist in the kitchen, and designed menus that belied the usual "fundraising event" fare. The food was beautiful to look at and delicious to eat. Andrew works with a great team and we cannot recommend them highly enough. read more

A call to Chef Andrew Spurgin was the first and only call we made when my partner and I began planning our wedding. Andrew was absolutely amazing!! His vision and ideas were spot on and his execution was brilliant. He is wise, imaginative and very playful and an absolute joy to work with. He communicated frequently, was always very professional and his rates were well below what I thought. We had Japanese food with Indian infused drinks and our guests just raved about our theme and food. Everything was superb!! My new wife and I were talking about our beautiful wedding and we had zero complaints about anything, all of this was because of the talent of Andrew Spurgin. Do yourself a favor and blow your event away, use Andrew. Meredith K read more

Andrew Spurgin and Co. catered our holiday party and it was AMAZING! They absolutely ran away with our Moulin Rouge theme and everything from the menu, to the decor, to the bar/cocktails, to the details of the glassware was absolutely perfect. Special shoutout to Mindy for coordinating everything and making it all go so smoothly (with a smile, no less), despite a complete redesign of the layout taking it all indoors thanks to the rain. We really could not have been happier. The food and service were perfection. Our guests were totally blown away. Andrew and his team took us on late notice and were such a pleasure to work with. Their energy, enthusiasm and professionalism are beyond compare. We can hardly wait for our next party! read more

Wow! I had the pleasure of working with Andrew on a Baja Chefs event in San Diego. I can't say enough about his organization and professionalism. From the pre-plan to the plan to the implementation everything was perfect. I rarely give 5 stars, but Andrew and his team deserve every one of them. read more

We had Andrew Spurgin and his team do my mother's 75th family birthday dinner for 21 guests. From beginning to end, the evening was perfect. Andrew has a wonderfully creative mind and thought of every thoughtful detail to make the birthday, really quite special. From the English pea soup to the roasted duck confit to the artisan cheese plate (and everything in between), we savored every last bite! What a relief to have a private chef do such a memorable event at home, rather than spending thousands more to hold it at a local restaurant. Andrew turned the backyard into a 5 star, candle lite, elegant dining venue!! read more

Andrew and his team are try culinary artists as well as event professionals. They listen and understand what is important to the client and are meticulous in the execution. I especially appreciate their crazy attention to detail. Every bite is carefully and artistically crafted to perfection. I would trust Andrew with any event big or small. read more

If you want a chef, hire a chef. If you want a full-on, culinary experience, hire Andrew Spurgin. Holy cow, he and his team are amazing! We gave him two words for our wedding: "Roman Holiday." From that, we ended up with a burrata bar, a mercato where they were grilling tuna and chicken, Sicilian appetizers served on the front lawn, gluten free options galore for our pickiest guests. The list goes on. But Andrew didn't stop at designing (and cooking) the menu. His team looked the part of the party. Every detail down to the condiments and napkins was perfect. And when it was all over - poof! - Andrew and his crew had cleaned up and turned our Roman Holiday back into our yard. I think I found one bottle cap in the aftermath of a 6 hour wedding for 140 people. Andrew and event planner Janice Dodge are the best. Period. read more

I had the pleasure of working with Chef Andrew on the 2013 From Farm to Bay Food & Wine Classic at The Living Coast Discovery Center. Andrew served as our Culinary Chair for the event. Chef and his team really went above and beyond our expectations, and were instrumental in helping us produce our most successful event to date! Not only is Andrew a stellar chef, he is an expert party planner, an enthusiastic community supporter, and a culinary genius! And one of the most impressive things about Andrew is his dedication to any job or project he is working on. He is organized, quick to respond, and a Man of his Word!!! A combination very rare in the "chef" scene. I highly recommend Andrew and his firm for any of your culinary / event / consulting needs! read more

Andrew and his team were great to work with. The food amazing, and his suggestion of the biodegradable ware for serving the food was a hit! Andrew and Jesseca were very efficient when we were planning, and I highly recommend working with them. read more

Andrew Spurgin is a class act. His cuisine delights and his execution is flawless and every detail is thought out. If you need to impress and not stress, Andrew and his team of culinary mercenaries is the way to go. read more

Andrew Spurgin is the Poet Laureate of catering, his creativity and command of the event experience has the power to transport guests to places few chefs can take them. read more

A sit down multiple course dinner for 14 people was presided over by Andrew and his amazing staff. The food was exceptional, the staff attentive but not overbearing and the evening was enhanced by their professionalism and obvious passion for what they do. Every aspect of the dinner was thoughtfully planned and executed. With absolutely no stress to us! We will definitely use Andrew and this terrific crew again! Cheers... read more

Andrew and his incredible team have served two of our health care events in the last year. Exceptionally designed menus and executed with perfection. Service was spot on and our guests felt well cared for while inspired by the delicious dinner. We are so very grateful for the talent and personal commitment to excellence in everything Andrew does... read more

Chef Andrew Spurgin is amazing. He was the Culinary Chair for a fundraising event for the non-profit organization I work for. Being such a busy man I was inspired by Andrew's willingness to help and give of his time for a worthy cause. He went above and beyond the event committees expectations and played a key role in making the event a success. His creative event ideas, delicious food and easy going personality made him the ideal chef to work with. read more

Definitely one of the most amazing teams that I have had the pleasure to work with. From menu conception, to event design suggestions, to impeccable onsite service - Andrew and team delivered an amazing experience! I wish I could take his team around the country with me for all of my events! read more

Delicious and Delightful!! Andrew and his team created a simply magical evening for us at a private dinner party for 14. From the creative pre-planning, the excellent communication and attention to every detail, to the day-of execution, the experience with Andrew et al. was flawless. The cuisine was nothing short of divine: On point to the theme of the evening, beautifully presented, and absolutely scrumptious! We wrapped this amazing event dreaming of what future events will have in store....very exciting indeed!! read more

Our organization reached out to Chef Spurgin to host our benefit Luncheon and we could not have asked for a better gent to play the part. Chef Spurgin was an incredible guy to work with for the event. His experience in event production truly made a difference when collaborating on the event. He understood exactly what was needed of an emcee for the event and delivered 200%. He is professional, kind and an incredible person to be around. He and his staff are experienced and are familiar with the philanthropic climate in San Diego; making working with them a true delight. I would recommend Chef Spurgin to any organization who is looking for an experienced event stylist to bring your function to the next level and provide first-class service. Cheers, to Chef Spurgin! read more

Andrew Spurgin creates beauty and magic. And it's all delicious. Andrew and his team helped my husband and I plan an amazing wedding celebration in June 2015 that guests continue to talk about. It was the wedding party of our dreams. We wanted to create an experience that was new and delightful for our friends and family. We had a very global and worldly crowd, and they were all left in awe of the experience. Andrew has impeccable taste and a very broad range of creativity, and he was so willing to craft an experience that expressed the essence of who we are as a couple. Beyond the amazing food, he knows how to create ambiance and structure style. He is extremely easy to work with, and so very kind. Jesseca Crissey was also exceptional, and I am deeply grateful for all of her ideas and support. This team works tirelessly and they have so much vision. If you're planning an event, I would highly recommend Andrew Spurgin and team! Lucky you!! read more