We hired Chef John for our wedding dinner and he was amazing from start to finish. He was incredibly accommodating with all of our guests' dietary restrictions, which took a huge weight off our shoulders during planning. The food itself was just as impressive. everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. read more

Wife and I was looking for a private chef for our wedding reception. She found Chef John through IG initially I think. We did a bit of research and drooled all over the food pics. He was the one and we did not want to work with anyone else. We knew that having an out of state wedding would be a coordination nightmare so we reached out several months in advanced. He was very communicative and we both reached out to each other at the right time as we got closer to the wedding. (I honestly don't know what the 1 star review was about because we did not have this experience) He was really flexible with us for slight menu changes and updates to the head count throughout the process. We wanted this to be more intimate since it was just family and man did Chef John and his team deliver. Everyone was so impressed that they get to experience a professional chef cook on the spot, his team was so attentive and the attention to detail was very impressive. I have dined all over the world and have been to some of the nicest restaurants and I can compare the level of service to a Michelin star restaurant. I wish I had a second stomach that day so I could have eaten more. (Wish I got more photos, but will add more as I get them from family) If you are debating or looking for a private chef to host your next dinner event please do not look anywhere else, you will not be disappointed. Mahalo nui loa Chef John and team!!! read more

Private Dining Hawaii - Lobster katsu, aromatic vegetable potstickers and chicken satay!!! - Personal Chefs Near Me

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Great deal of lack of communication, and unreliable. Tried to book this business for a celebration a month in advance and at first got a greeting through text, I responded with MULTIPLE dates I was flexible on for convenience on both the business and my side. I got a response saying "booked, hope it works out for you". And in response to that I tried to communicate additional days that could work on my end...it has now been 6 days and he has not communicated anything. read more

We are a party of 8--four couples who are lifelong friends--and we rented a house for the week near Pupukea on the North Shore. John was a pleasure to deal with in advance in determining the menu selections, and he and his sous chef arrived on time last night for our private meal at home. In a little over two hours, they had prepared and served a sumptuous feast that was seriously delicious in all respects. We enjoyed several appetizers first, then a fresh salad made from all local ingredients with a mango viniagrette, then a "land and sea" entree featuring local catch and Chateaubriand, then a two-course dessert featuring passionfruit creme brûlée and a half-papaya filled with raspberry and mango sorbet. He was happy to answer all questions about ingredients and techniques, but it was not a demonstration class if that's what you might think. Instead, he and his assistant remained busy in the kitchen preparing and serving delicious course after delicious course, allowing us to mingle and socialize. The team also cleaned up the kitchen, did the dishes, and left the house as they found it--a nice bonus. It's a bit of an extravagance, yes, but the food was five-star quality and so, so good. You will not regret hiring John for your next in-house dining event! If we come back to Oahu, we will certainly hire him again. A great experience from start to finish. read more

John provided an in-home dinner for our group of 8 at our vacation rental on the North Shore. From the moment I first contacted John he was on top of everything. Great communication, sent me an amazing menu and was open to any requests. He arrived with his server, Ewa, and they handled everything. Very friendly and professional. The meal was timed perfectly and everything was beautifully plated and delicious. Couldn't have asked for more. The kitchen was spotless right before they slipped out leaving us to enjoy the rest of the beautiful sunset. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience. Thanks John! read more

Private Dining Hawaii - Just the first few appetizers! - Personal Chefs Near Me

If your looking for a terrific chef with talents galore, stop looking and call John!!! We were a small family celebration at a rental property. We provided a sample menu and was able to make adjustments to meet our needs. He was flexible for the arrival time as our family were coming from a photo shoot. He didn't rush and had each course served in proper time. No one was rushed and all 7 of my family members were very impressed and enjoyed the whole night He provided app plates as the rental did not have them. He and his wonderful assistant Emil's took care of everything from setting the table to cleaning the kitchen as well as wrapping up the left overs. Very professional and the best lobster potstickers and steak ever, to include a terrific pasta dish. Dessert was beyond. I would recommend reaching out. You will not be disappointed. He is easy to communicate with and responds promptly even being with the time difference from the mainland Thank you John and Emil's for making our vacation extra special BOOK HIM! read more

As an employee... Ke Nui Kitchen has been a wonderful experience! The kitchen crew shows up as a family, The food is customized to each individual party and crafted with love and intention. As an employer, Thomas is a Multiplier!!! He sees the gifts and value of each employee and supports them to shine in their element. He shows appreciation and respect for each member of his team... and in turn, the team shows up for the community! read more

Private Dining Hawaii - Botanical Gardens - Personal Chefs Near Me

John from Private Dining Hawaii has done a couple of weddings for my clients. His food is creative and moderate priced. Great presentation and lovely service. I will definitely use him again. read more

INCREDIBLE!!! Actually, incredible is an understatement. Every course made by Chef John was amazing. We celbrated our parents 50th wedding anniversary and Chef John made the evening perfect. If you're looking for a Chef to host any occasions, then look no further. Absolutely amazing. read more

WORLDS GREATEST CHEF!!!!! Easily the best meal I've ever experienced... and it was at a wedding?!?! The service was amazing as well. You can tell John has a real talent and passion for his craft. It was a nightmare trying to find a caterer for my sisters wedding. Everyone we spoke with out here was either non responsive or outrageously priced for really lame menus. Seriously by one company we were quoted $120 a head for a glorified plate lunch. It felt like we were being taken advantage of with every caterer that heard the word "wedding". Then we called John. He'd done dinner parties for many of our friends and we'd only heard incredible things about him. Though he's a private chef, we asked if he'd consider doing my sister's small wedding. We heard back from John within minutes! While discussing the menu, we gave him our budget and a very simple idea of what we were thinking menu-wise (with the horrible quotes and menus we'd been receiving, we vastly lowered our expectations for this meal). His response was- "well that sounds great... but it's a wedding! Let's add some WOW factor- instead of chicken, why not lobster?" WHAT?!?! Everyone other caterer was looking doing as little as possible and here John just wanted to make a master piece! No hidden taxes or fees, he took our budget and stretched it to create the most impressive menu- all the flavors perfectly balanced and exotic. I was completely blown away. The service and presentation was impeccable as well. I really cannot say enough about John. Beyond being incredibly knowledgeable and talented when it comes to the culinary arts- he's professional, hardworking, and honest. We still talk of that meal regularly. THANK YOU THANK YOU for making my sisters special day perfect! read more

Private Dining Hawaii - BEST MEAL EVER!!!! And it was at a wedding???! Can't thank you enough John!!!! - Personal Chefs Near Me

The chef was incredible about delivering a first class experience while also being flexible about the menu right up until the dinner. He was fast to respond, offered great suggestions and then prepared it perfectly in our kitchen. Service was impeccable and very professional. Everything was cleaned up and dishes done as if no one was even there. Would highly recommend him again. read more

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I feel that words are inadequate to describe just how great this experience was...from the moment we reached out to chef John to the last bite of dessert everything was perfect! He was able to craft a custom menu for our party of 9 in celebration of loved one's passing. The cuisine exceeded every expectation--the lobster katsu is a new favorite, the lamb and ono were cooked so perfectly, and don't even get me started on the passion fruit cheesecake! Chef John and his assistant were obviously extremely professional but so engaging and down to earth that the experience was anything but pretentious. If you are looking for an exceptional dining experience in your own home then Chef John is your guy. read more

Short and simple - This is one of the best things you can do in Hawaii - A private dinner at your beach house - WHAT!!! They are great and timely communicators, their service is aloha and so warm, the food was off the charts delicious and enough to fill us over the mark! We had them provide cocktails and desert - again wonderful. It was a highlight of our trip, celebrating my birthday and family. I also want to add that the value for the price was exceptional you get so much more than what is total on the bill. This is an unusual company because it was seamlessly a great and rewarding experience from beginning to end - A rare feat. read more

FOOD/SERVICE/CREW was absolutely amazing... Planning my wedding from the mainland was difficult with everything but the food... John was very responsive and worked with my budget to make the menu the most delicious dinner HANDS DOWN... John was very prompt and even worked around an ever changing timeline... Will recommend to friends/family and anyone looking for 10 out of 10 professional food service... Guests mentioned food was better than five star restaurants they have been to, THANK YOU John!! read more

John and Micah were great. The food was amazing and the service was outstanding. They offered several menu options and none of it disappointed. Portions were sizeable and the quality was exceptional. We had a group of 9 and we all were full and still had plenty left over! We highly recommend him and will definitely use them again should we make it back to Oahu. read more

Hands down the best meals we had while spending 3 weeks in O'ahu and Kauai. Very grateful we had the pleasure of enjoying Chef John's cuisine in the serenity of our vacation rental home. Extremely easy to work. He was knowledgeable and flexible even as special diets and our headcount changed throughout our bookings with him. read more

My friends and I were staying on the Northshore in May and hired Chef John of Private Dining Hawaii (www.privatedininghawaii.com) to prepare and serve a special dinner for us. John was very easy to work with and super careful and accommodating in working around the fact one of our party has a severe MSG allergy. We talked a couple of times on the phone and exchanged text messages over various menu details and options - it was very easy and John went far out of his way to ensure we were getting what we wanted. On the evening of the meal, John and his helper set up a beautiful formal table and served cocktails and hors d'ouvres followed by one of the most delicious meals any of us had ever eaten. Everything was perfectly prepared and served just right. In addition to being an exceptional chef, John is very friendly and personable - someone anyone would enjoy meeting and knowing. We were absolutely delighted with the quality and value of what we received and look forward to visiting Haleiwa again soon and having John prepare food for us again. I highly recommend John without reservation to anyone who loves exceptional dining. You will receive a wonderful meal you will not soon forget! read more

Private Dining Hawaii catered our wedding on the North Shore of Oahu this last October. We live there and were stoked to find someone that was local. They were super professional all the way from figuring out a tasty menu that worked with our budget, making adjustments when needed, following through right on time, and being a non-stressful crew that was still on it when they were getting things done before and during the wedding party. I would definitely recumbent him for any event on Oahu. Top notch food and good people. read more

We absolutely cannot say enough fabulous things about Private Dining Hawaii and Chef John. He came into our vacation home and prepared the most fabulous dinner for our family during our vacation on the North Shore...and we are all still talking about it! Quite possibly the best meal of our lives. He was so professional and easy to work with: Allowing us to make changes to the menu so it perfectly suited our tastes, being prompt and polite, cleaning the entire kitchen, even packing up the leftovers in the fridge for us! From Ahi to Hawaiian pork apps, steak and lobster tails for the main dish, plus amazing side dishes, dessert and even being so thoughtful as to bring bottles of wine for us to enjoy...we want John to accompany us on every family vacation! Definitely don't think twice about booking his services. You will not regret it! read more

Private dining Hawaii is the best. They cooked a fabulous meal for us last night, everything so delicious. Our party consisted of 7 adults and one 3 year old. Our granddaughter talked with chef John and his helper Micah most of the night. I could not have asked for a better company to cook our dinner. Food was amazing and they were so pleasant to our granddaughter. Thank you for the delicious meal! read more

Five stars is simply not enough. Excellent service combined with incredible food made for an experience that my family will not soon forget. From the moment we first contacted John he made selecting a menu easy and enjoyable. The choices were numerous making it easy to find something that would appeal to our large party of 12. John and Micah came to our house two evenings during our vacation and prepared and served drinks, appetizers, salad, entrée, and dessert. They were personable and went above and beyond to provide superior service and delicious food. On the first evening they even took feedback from our three teenagers and came back for the next meal with the requested items. Seriously, it is not an understatement to say that these meals prepared in the convenience of our home made the trip that much more memorable. I highly recommend John and his team to anyone who is looking for an exceptional dining experience while in Hawaii. Mahalo to John and Micah! read more