Our family loves CT Caster, the Thyme Bandit! Cooking for my family would be a challenge for any chef. The Venn diagram of my family's food issues and preferences is complicated, often contradictory, and difficult to navigate. We don't eat wheat or gluten, and we have a violent nut allergy, many other milder allergies, and many specific strong micro-preferences. CT Caster takes all of this in stride. He has been very conscientious and accommodating. I hired CT several months ago, because I was looking for a way to buy my own time back, since I had been spending many hours shopping for wholesome organic fresh food, and then many more hours in the kitchen preparing that food. Hiring CT has been a terrific time saver. He shops for me, and he cooks faster and with much more finesse, assurance, and variety than I could. Perhaps the most important detail: his cooking is delicious! My professional life has improved significantly since hiring CT to come to cook several dinners for us each week. Not only have I bought myself focused time to work, but my personal stress level has diminished greatly. CT also is a willing teacher, so he's eager to explain strategy, organization, and techniques for cooking, if one is so inclined. CT is creative, reliable, and responsive. He takes his job seriously. He's a fabulous chef, his food is tasty and so much better than anything I could make. Plus, you can tell he really loves what he does. That shows in both his attitude and his meals. On the rare occasion when we don't love a dish, CT will ask for specifics to obtain feedback about our preferences, and then he plans future meals accordingly. He's always not only open to constructive criticism but actively solicits feedback. I thought about hiring a personal chef for a long, long time before calling CT. Thyme Bandit is reasonably priced, and I sometimes marvel that it took me so long to decide to try a personal chef. Now that CT cooks for us, I'm not stressed about what's for dinner every day, and thus I can truly focus on my professional life while still supplying delectable, fresh, healthful food to my family. I wish I had hired him years ago! read more

My wife and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary and I wanted to try something we had never done before. So I thought, wouldn't it be cool if we could be served at our home and not need to drive anywhere. We could create an intimate affair for two. Enter Thyme Bandit! I searched for personal chef's as none of my friends had used one before either. After an exhaustive search process, (asking BING for suggestions) I settled on about 10 options. The first reason Thyme Bandits stood out was their site got right to the point. Type of event, how many guests would be invited and a place to leave your note to be followed up on. There was also an idea of cost so you could at least have an idea. I left a message, C.T. (Owner and Chef) promptly returned my call. Now, to my second reason for choosing them. C.T. immediately shared why we should use him and what made him stand out in such a crowded field. It was that his love for blending spices and food groups always comes through whatever he cooks. While payment is of course necessary, he does this first, because he LOVES it. Now that we had the pleasure of using Thyme Bandits, I can honestly say that he did not lie. C.T., prior to even starting the menu asked me to share a bit of biography about my wife and I. He wanted to get to know us, our food likes/dislikes, preferences. While he is absolutely the expert, he seeks out your opinion to make sure his courses are not just pretty, but tasty and meaningful to those he is serving. If I could have him cook for us daily, I would, but alas we'll do the next best thing. Use YELP to get the message out that Thyme Bandits will leave you desiring more. Thanks so much C.T. for making our 20th anniversary one that we'll always remember. Five stars are not enough! -The Lee's. read more

Wanted a unique and special surprise for my wife's 40th birthday. And man did I deliver. I got in contact with CT and from there it was an awesome experience of giving all specific info (type of foods we liked, didn't like, etc) to him and letting him plan out the perfect party meal. CT showed up and was ready to rock right away. We did a quick run through of things in our kitchen, double checked the timing and place setting for guests and where I would like food to be served. Then I just focused on making drinks that went well with the menu CT had planned out. It was awesome seeing my kitchen used like that. Yea, it got a bit messy while CT was cooking but that happens in kitchens. And it was very contained to the kitchen but believe me, all of it was super cleaned up by CT and looked great after all was said and don. The apps came out and it was definitely what I was told it would be. A fun and amazing "party" app that we could all share and still chat and do our thing. Then the plated app and dinner and dessert were phenomenal. Presentation was so high-end and flavor was gourmet. We got an amazing night "out" with our good friends but never left our house and it totally felt like we were just being taken care of all night. It was perfect. Plus- definitely cheaper for 8 people than going out to some Stephen Starr restaurant at night. And food was probably better and more specific too. Can't wait to plan the next one. Our guests were floored by the whole experience. And my wife was so thrilled by the surprise and how everything from the food to the idea to the chef to our great night was just awesome. read more

Just had CT and Thyme Bandits come to our home and cook for an end of year celebration dinner for my colleagues and their spouses. An outstanding experience with amazing food and great service from start to finish. In previous years I had taken the team out for dinner at a nice restaurant in the area. This year I wanted to try something different and host the evening in our home. I came across Thyme Bandits using Yelp and I reached out to CT through the Thyme Bandits website - he followed up as promised within 3 days and we began emailing back and forth about potential menus. CT really took the time to answer all of our questions and make sure that we were comfortable with how the evening would flow as well as the food selections. CT even took the time for a quick phone call to talk through things as we moved towards making the final decision. I am so glad that we chose to go with Thyme Bandits and have the dinner in our home. CT and his sous chef Courtney showed up on time and fully prepared. They went right to work and by the time our guests arrived the smells coming from the kitchen had everyone anxious for the meal to start. CT and Courtney were so professional and left the kitchen looking like they had never been there. It was so comfortable to have them in our home and it allowed my wife and me to focus on our guests. The food was fantastic - the flavors, the presentation, the portions. A truly great experience comparable with top restaurants. It all made for a truly memorable evening. I would highly recommend Thyme Bandits and their services. CT and his team are outstanding. read more

I recently invited CT to my wedding as a guest, but ended up needing help with the food prep and set up at the last minute. With next to no time to prepare himself, CT stepped in and took over the dinner service, allowing my husband and I time to be with our other guests. I was stressed to the max over what needed to be done, and CT saved the day for me. In a kitchen that he had never stepped foot in, he managed to quickly whip up the remaining dishes that needed to be made, ensured that food was properly warmed before going out to the chaffing dishes, and kept an orderly system of replenishing the empty buffet so that no one went hungry. After most of the guests had gone home, CT stayed and helped up with the initial clean up, and even came back the next day to clean up the kitchen and put things back in their proper place so that our hosts had nothing to worry about. The respect CT showed to someone else's kitchen is the mark of a professional. I would have no problem inviting him into my home to cook for me, because I would be confident that he would treat my kitchen like his own, and would respect my space. I've already had friends inquire about hiring him for their upcoming weddings, and I will happily pass along his information to anyone who wants it. Two thumbs up, would definitely use his services again. read more

This is my first Yelp review. The quality of service received made it clear I should contribute to Thyme Bandit's online presence. Thyme Bandit catered my 50th birthday party, providing appetizers and dinner for about 25 people. They were able to accommodate for food allergies and present us with menu options that pleased everyone while remaining sensitive to specific needs. CT and his assistant kept great warm and cold appetizers rolling from the kitchen as guests arrived, switching to the grill later in the evening and providing a variety of kebabs for dinner. We wanted an informal evening with food available so guests could grab a bite and mingle, and the chefs hit the mark beautifully. The food quantity was abundant and the pacing was perfect throughout the evening. Based on this debut run for us, I am going to have CT return for future events. As I am the one who does the cooking at home, it was a great experience to let a professional take over the kitchen and have time to relax with guests knowing that the food preparation and serving are in truly capable hands. read more

CT and his team are incredible. We used his services for our wedding. He came to our house and cooked dinner for our 23 wedding guests in our kitchen. A few weeks prior to the wedding date, CT met with us at our home. He spent time getting to know us and within a week had built us a great menu incorporating the ideas and preferences we discussed. He conversed with us several times during the next few weeks, tweaking the menu to our specifications. He was so understanding and flexible. We had a few lactose intolerant/ vegan guests and CT modified each recipe by placing portions to the side without cheese or by serving cheese on the side so that all of our guests could enjoy the meal. Most importantly, the food was AMAZING! every protein ( chicken scallops and steak!) was cooked to perfection and every side/salad was delicious. He even made us an incredible flourless chocolate cake for dessert. He also left our home cleaner than when he arrived! We enjoyed working with him so much and our guests are still raving about the incredible dinner he cooked for us. read more

I was looking for a class on how to a fillet and cook a whole fish (as if you had just come home from a day a fishing with a fresh catch) as a birthday gift for my husband. After lots of searching and no luck, I came across the Thyme Bandit's website and decided to ask if that was a possibility. They got back to me right away and said it was! We set a date and Chef Caster came to our house with a bunch of fresh fish and showed us how to fillet. We each got to try it, and then he taught us how to cook it en papillote as well as how to properly sear it and baste in butter. And then he cleaned everything up while we ate! We had an awesome time, and I really liked that he took the time to explain the science behind some of the cooking techniques. If you want to learn how to cook something, or just want someone to cook for you, call the Thyme Bandit! read more

Thyme Bandit catered my wedding. They graciously fed me, my husband and 150 of our guests. Our wedding was festival themed and CT understood the vibe as well as our menu requests. He created a gluten free grain bowl bar featuring a rich beef stew, a mild but well spiced chicken curry and a savory vegan chili. The extra toppings that were provided so that each guest could customize their dinner were delicious and eye catching. After the ceremony the Thyme bandit chefs plated up dishes for us so that we could eat interrupted and provided us with second helpings! I highly recommended Thyme Bandit for their delicious food, their service and their staff. They made our wedding the wonderful experience it was! read more

I called Thyme Bandit to cater my husband's 40th birthday party after another chef canceled at the last minute. CT, the owner, was incredibly responsive, worked with me to put together a menu quickly, and arranged for his chef Sean to be on site two days later. Sean arrived as planned and was perfect -- he cooked a delicious mushroom soup and a fabulous entree of scallops with beet risotto. He was also polite and gracious for the whole evening, and went above and beyond by preparing a few hors d'oeuvres that I wasn't charged for, and making a few alternative items for a guest with a gluten allergy. All around, everyone was thrilled, and I couldn't have asked for more. read more

5 Stars on this site means "as good as it gets". If I could sub out good for outstanding, mind-blowing, phenomenally fantastic I would! My husband hired CT to prepare a special surprise birthday dinner for me, and CT blew us away. Not only were the courses extremely fresh and delicious, but they were also uniquely perfect for our different tastes. It's not everyday you get to experience the delicious food and professionalism of a five star restaurant in the comfort of your own home without so much as lifting a finger. Thank you for making my birthday so memorable and special! read more

I was the recipient of a one-on-one, hands-on knife skills class with CT. I learned about sharpening, caring for, holding, and most importantly, correctly using a chef's knife to slice, dice, julienne, and finely chop a variety of vegetables including carrots, mushrooms, potatoes, parsley and onions. It was fun and educational, even to the point of recognizing when someone else (on TV) was 'doing it wrong!' CT is very personable; he made the class very enjoyable and I hope to have the opportunity someday to try some of his cooking. read more

CT and his team cooked for an event that I put together for about a dozen people. They created a great menu, were flexible with food allergies and other restrictions, and provided a friendly and delicious service for everyone. The service was end-to-end (shopping, cooking, serving, and cleaning), and included everything from a pre-dinner charcuterie platter and hor d'oeuvres, to a 4-course meal (salad, soup, entree, dessert). The service was professional, on time, and friendly, so I would definitely use Thyme Bandit again. read more

Amazing! Really creative and delicious food. Perfect for someone who wants something unique and mouth watering. I had no idea that type of food could be created in my very own kitchen! CT was very professional and fun! I would highly recommend for any catering or personal food preparations. He made a ton of food for a great price and even though everyone was completely full by the end of the party, I still had a lot of leftovers. I will definitely be using them again, I can't say enough good things about Thyme Bandit! read more

Wonderful experience! My husband surprised me with a Valentine's Day cooking lesson with CT. He was friendly, outgoing, knowledgeable, and a very talented chef! He took his time to explain each step and the ingredient he was using and why. We cannot wait for our next lesson! It was truly a wonderful, memorable experience and we highly recommend him for anyone interested in a special date night or a cooking lesson. Thank you, CT!! read more

We hired CT to prepare a birthday dinner for my dad. He had never stepped foot in my mom's kitchen and within hours we had delicious apps and an incredible meal! I had never met CT before the day of the party however the initial phone calls and emails made everything flawless. CT is a true professional and I wouldn't hesitate to call upon him again. Thanks CT and Courtney for a great night!! read more

CT and his wonderful staff catered my birthday party. From the time we talked on the phone it was easy. He listened to me and we exchanged ideas. His recommendations were spot on!! The food was great. What he did in the kitchen surprised me!! A great chef and a truly nice down to earth person!! I'll use him again. He's that good!! Call this man people!! read more

Chef CT just gave me one of the best culinary experiences I have ever had!! From the arugula salad, NY strip steak, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower purée, the red wine reduction, and creme brûlée he made and educated my sister about along with the technique was first class!!! I will definitely be using him again sooner than later! ... read more

My wife and I celebrated out 10 year anniversary, and I had hired a personal chef in the past. CT did a wonderful job with our meal, and it was great having him teach me some cooking tips while in the kitchen. I will definitely be using him again in the future. read more